Ordered nitrogen complexes overcoming strength–ductility trade-off in an additively manufactured high-entropy alloy

Abstract

Strength and ductility were simultaneously enhanced in the additively manufactured CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy by laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) under reactive N2 atmosphere. It was found that nitrogen atoms picked up during additive manufacturing line-up to form ordered nitrogen complexes (ONCs) in the octahedral interstitial position of the HEA matrix. Dislocation multiplication is then facilitated by the formation of ONCs during LPBF, leading to a higher dislocation density with smaller dislocation cells. Dislocation strengthening, combined with interstitial strengthening, endows the additively manufactured HEA with the yielding strength of 690 MPa, 15% higher than that of the counterparts fabricated under inert atmosphere. More interestingly, the ONCs stimulate dislocation nucleation and engender more heterogeneous microstructure, giving rise to an outstanding ductility of 15.3%, with an increment of 34%. As a result, the strength–ductility trade-off was successfully reversed by the nitrogen doping during LPBF under reactive atmosphere.