Effects of structure and strain rate on deformation mechanism of twin lamellar Al0.3CoCrFeNi alloys

Abstract

Lamellar twined materials display simultaneous ultrahigh strength and high ductility, which is attributed to the interaction between twin boundaries and dislocation. However, deformation at the atomic level is rarely seen in experiments. To study the deformation properties and mechanical behavior of the lamellar twined Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys (HEA) sample, we applied the uniaxial tension by employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The impact of various twin inclination angles, twin boundary spacing (TBS), and strain rates are investigated. The mechanical softening as the increasing TBS from 4a to 12a was observed, which corresponds to Hall – Petch relationship. The yield strength of the medium inclination angle (450, 600) records the minimum value with all various TBS due to the elastic energy being easier released. The strain-hardening phenomenon appears at these angles. The sample with an inclination angle perpendicular to the tension loading axis (900) displays the highest stress value. The shrinking migration twin has been observed in 00, 150, and 300 twin inclination angles. The migration and disappearance of initial TBs lead to grains being reoriented into the same orientation at 450 and 600. With twin orientations of 750 and 900, the TB is no longer as crisp and straight as the initial TB under the tension process. An extensive dislocation process occurs at higher strain values, and their interaction with TB leads to establishing the shear band. After that, twin boundaries within the shear band are almost destroyed. Besides, the results also indicate that the flow stress, ultimate strength, and Young's modulus rise with the rising strain rate and decreasing temperature.