Effect of high entropy particle on aerospace-grade aluminium composite developed through combined mechanical supersonic vibration and squeeze infiltration technique

Abstract

The idea of using High Entropy Alloy (HEA) particle as reinforcements in aluminium metal matrix in this current study can be used in a variety of mechanical, electrical, and electronic structural members. HEA particles were successfully synthesized by the mechanical alloying process and confirmed through XRD, SEM and EDS analyses. The metal-metal composite, uniform dispersion and presence of HEA reinforcement particles over the aluminium metal matrix was confirmed through XRD, optical, SEM microstructures and EDS mapping. The grain values chart estimates that nearly 72–76% ultra-fine grains were present in the microstructures. XRD peaks confirmed the presence of aluminium, HEA- FCC (Cu-Mn-Ni), HEA-BCC (Fe-Cr) phase and MgZn2 precipitates. Minimum and maximum values of hardness were observed in the CH1 (163.88 BHN and 146.10 VHN) and CH3 (225.30 BHN and 230.20 VHN) specimens, respectively. Impact test showed a higher value in the AA7075-HEAp composite CH2 and CH3 with increases of 8.92 and 12.06% than in the base cast specimen. The composite specimens CH2, CH3, and CH4 exhibited maximum wear resistance under specific load conditions. AA7075-HEAp composite CH3 and the base cast CH1 specimen revealed higher corrosion resistance than the other specimens.