Microstructure and mechanical properties of equimolar FeCoCrNi high entropy alloy prepared via powder extrusion

•High entropy alloy (HEA) prepared via powder extrusion exhibits high tensile strength and ductility.•The high strength results from solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening and homogenous microstructure.•Powder extrusion can be considered as a promising way for preparing large-sized HEAs with high mechanical properties.

An equiatomic FeCoCrNi high alloy (HEA) with both high tensile strength and ductility was produced by a powder metallurgy (P/M) method. The P/M process includes a gas atomization and a hot extrusion of pre-alloyed HEA powder. Microstructures and mechanical properties were characterized using optical microscopy (OP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and tensile tests. The results show that the P/M FeCoCrNi HEA has a single face centered cubic (fcc) structure and an equiaxed microstructure. No obvious porosity and brittle intermetallic phase was found. The as-extruded alloy exhibits a very high tensile strength of 712.5 MPa, and still maintains an elongation as high as 56%. The improvement of the tensile properties is caused by the solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening and homogenous microstructure. Therefore, the powder hot extrusion can be considered as a promising way for preparing large-sized HEAs with high mechanical properties.