Carbon effect on tensile and wear behaviors for a dual-phase Fe61.5Cr17.5Ni13Al8 alloy

Abstract

High entropy alloys (HEAs) series were produced by doping carbon into Fe61.5 Cr17.5Ni13-xAl8Cx (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.5 at.%) by a vacuum arc melting. The carbon doping effect on the phase composition, mechanical properties, and wear behavior was studied. Fe61.5 Cr17.5Ni13Al8 alloy microstructure was a heterogeneous structure comprising FCC, BCC, and B2 phases. By introducing carbon into Fe61.5 Cr17.5Ni13-xAl8Cx (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.5 at.%), the BCC phase fraction increased with decreasing FCC phase during annealing, accompanied by the formation of M23C6-like carbides at temperatures of 800 °C and 900 °C. The carbon-doped HEAs exhibited enhanced mechanical properties compared to the carbon-free HEAs, including higher tensile strength (1580 MPa), notable ductility (∼20 %), reduced friction coefficient (0.50), and improved wear resistance. Among the carbon-doped HEAs, the HEA with x = 0.5 at.% and annealed at 800 °C demonstrated exceptional wear resistance due to the compensations of attaining a balance between strength and elasticity.