Improved the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlFeCoNi high-entropy alloy by carbon addition

A new set of AlFeCoNiCx (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.17) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were designed and fabricated. The microstructure, phase evolution and mechanical behaviors of the alloys were systematically investigated. Results show that the matrix alloy exhibits coarse columnar structure, while the C-doped alloys exhibit typical dendrite microstructure. The dendritic region (DR) is composed of single B2 phase, while the interdendritic region (ID) consists of FCC and E21 phases and presents an ultrafine cellar structure caused by the coexisting of ordering and spinodal decomposition. Interestingly, both the strength and compressive strain greatly increased with the increase of carbon content. Particularly, the AlFeCoNiC0.08 HEA possessed the most excellent mechanical properties, superior to many other HEAs with the yield strength, fracture strength, and fracture strain as high as 1115 MPa, 2517 MPa and 48.8%, respectively. The mechanical properties of the AlFeCoNiC0.17 alloy were weakened by the presence of graphite. Further, it is found that there is close relationship between the fracture morphology and alloy properties. Overall, in this study the improved microstructure and mechanical properties of the AlFeCoNi HEA have been accomplished by carbon doping, and our findings could shed light on a new alloy-design route to achieve bulk ultrafine structure materials with desired properties via the direct solidification.