Effect of low temperature on tensile properties of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloy

The effect of low temperature on tensile properties of a AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloy (EHEA) was investigated in the present work. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the initial as-cast microstructure consisted of B2 (ordered body centered cubic structure) and L12 (ordered face centered cubic structure) phases. Upon tensile testing at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to −196 °C (77 K), the L12 phase became disordered, changing to a simple FCC (face centered cubic) crystal structure whereas the B2 phase maintained an ordered structure. An increase over 300 MPa was observed in the ultimate tensile strength (σUTS) of the −196 °C tensile tested sample compared to the room temperature tensile tested sample, while keeping almost similar amount of total elongation. TEM results indicated an increase in the dislocation activity in the FCC phase as well as B2 phase in the −196 °C tensile tested sample compared to the sample deformed at room temperature.