Dynamic mechanical properties, deformation and damage mechanisms of eutectic high-entropy alloy AlCoCrFeNi21 under plate impact

Abstract

• Both L12 and B2 phases remain ordered at 12 GPa • The accurate Hugoniot equation of state of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 is obtained • Nanotwins are observed in L12 phase • Both ductile and brittle fracture modes are observed Shock compression and spallation of a eutectic high-entropy alloy (HEA) AlCoCrFeNi 2 . 1 with lamellar structure are investigated via plate impact loading with free-surface velocity measurements. The as-cast and postmortem samples are characterized with transmission electron microscopy, electron back-scatter diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. An accurate Hugoniot equation of state is determined. After shock compression to ∼ 12 GPa, both the L1 2 and B 2 phases retain their ordered structures. Dense dislocations in the {111} slip planes, stacking faults and deformation twins are found in the L1 2 phase, along with fewer dislocations in the {110} slip bands in the B 2 phase. Shock-induced deformation twinning within the L1 2 phase of this HEA is observed as a new deformation mechanism under various loading conditions. For spallation, both ductile and brittle damage modes are observed. The micro voids and cracks prefer to nucleate at the phase boundaries chiefly, then in the B 2 phase. Under similar shock stress, the spall strength of AlCoCrFeNi 2 . 1 HEA is about 40% higher than those of other reported dual-phase HEAs due to the high stability of its semi-coherent phase boundaries. Graphical Abstract .