Micromechanical characterization of casting-induced inhomogeneity in an Al0.8CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy

The microstructural features and micromechanical behavior of individual phases in a cast Al0.8CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) were characterized by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and micro-compression tests. Use of neutron diffraction enabled the detection of a new phase which was otherwise unobservable by conventional X-ray diffraction. The identified phase constitution agreed well with the compositional analysis and the micro-compression results. The delicate microscale characterization of individual phase provides new insights for the design of novel HEAs with desirable mechanical properties.

► Individual phases in a cast Al0.8CoCrCuFeNi high entropy alloy (HEAs) were characterized with high resolution scanning electron microscopy and micro-compression.
► Neutron diffraction enabled the detection of a new phase which was otherwise unobservable by conventional X-ray diffraction.
► The delicate micro-scale characterization of individual phase provides new insights for the design of novel HEAs with desirable mechanical properties.