Fabrication and mechanical properties of TiC reinforced CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy composite by water atomization and spark plasma sintering

Abstract

In this study, the TiC-reinforced CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) composite was fabricated using water atomization (WA), mechanical milling (MM), and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of TiC-reinforced HEA composite are investigated using electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and room temperature compression tests. The addition of 5 wt% of TiC nano-particles to CoCrFeMnNi HEA resulted in fine grain size, high yield strength, and high strain hardening. The average grain size achieved for alloys with and without TiC after sintering is 5.1 μm and 10.6 μm, respectively. The addition of TiC increases the compressive yield strength from ∼507 MPa to ∼698 MPa and compressive fracture strength from ∼1527 MPa to ∼2216 MPa, without sacrificing the ductility. The strengthening behavior of TiC-reinforced CoCrFeMnNi HEA composite is quantitatively discussed based on grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and dispersion strengthening. The role of TiC nano-particles in the strain hardening improvement is investigated with respect to the dislocation-particle interaction and consequently increased dislocation density.