Evaluation of high-frequency induction heat sintering and conventional sintering in AlxCoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys

Abstract

AlxCoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys with different aluminum concentrations (x = 0.5, 1, and 1.5 at%) were synthesized by mechanical alloying followed by consolidation using two different sintering methods, conventional (CS) and high-frequency induction heat + conventional (HFIHS + CS). The results show the presence of FCC, BCC, and B2ordered phases in all systems, regardless of the sintering method. The BCC phase exhibits morphological changes (cuboidal-type and plate-like) associated with the two sintering methods involving different diffusion rates and affecting the hardness values. The M23C6 carbide is identified in systems sintered by the CS method; meanwhile, the M7C3 carbide is identified in the HFIHS + CS method. Finally, the HFIHS + CS method results in a higher level of densification (~95%) than the CS method (~80%).