Effects of Al addition on the microstructure and mechanical property of AlxCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys

A five-component AlxCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) system with finely-divided Al contents (x in molar ratio, x = 0–2.0) was prepared by vacuum arc melting and casting method. The effects of Al addition on the crystal structure, microstructure and mechanical property were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Vickers hardness tester. The as-cast AlxCoCrFeNi alloys can possess face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC) or mixed crystal structure, depending on the aluminum content. The increase of aluminum content results in the formation of BCC structure which is a dominant factor of hardening. All the BCC phases in the as-cast alloys have a nano-scale two-phase structure formed by spinodal decomposition mechanism. The Al0.9CoCrFeNi alloy exhibits a finest spinodal structure consisting of alternating interconnected two-phase microstructure which explains its maximum hardness of Hv 527 among the alloys. The chemical composition analysis of FCC and BCC crystal structures, their lattice constants, overall hardness demonstrate that the formation of a single FCC solid solution should have Al addition <11 at.% and the formation of a single BCC solid solution requires Al addition at least 18.4 at.% in the AlxCoCrFeNi system.

► AlxCoCrFeNi alloys can possess FCC, BCC or mixed structure, depending on Al content.
► Low Al content alloys with <11 at.% addition form a single FCC solid solution.
► The increase of Al content enhances formation of BCC phase which hardens the alloy.
► All BCC phase have a nano-scale two-phase structure formed by spinodal decomposition.