Effect of Nb content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrNiNbx high-entropy alloy

Abstract

This paper systematically studies the effect of Nb content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrNiNbx (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) high-entropy alloy. The results show that the secondary Laves phases start to precipitate in the alloy when the Nb element content is 0.2%. With the increase of Nb content, the shape of secondary phases changes from punctate to elongated. The maximum yield strength of the alloy is 585.88 MPa when x=0.6%, and the maximum Vickers hardness of the alloy is 688.9 HV when x=0.8%, caused by the precipitation strengthening mechanism.