Influence of alumina whisker or nano-carbon contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CuZrTiAlNi refractory high entropy alloy composites

Abstract

Abstract High-entropy alloy composites were fabricated by ball milling, cold isostatic pressing and microwave sintering to which were added varied contents of Al2O3 whiskers, La-Ce, and carbon nanotubes-graphene, respectively. The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and a microhardness tester. The high-entropy alloy and composites show amorphous phases and some crystalline phases. Accordingly, the addition of the reinforcement phase can refine the grain size. The formation mechanism of the phase is mainly related to the factors of mixing entropy, enthalpy, differences in atomic size, and the structure and property of the elements. The hardness of the composites is higher than that of the alloy (437.5 HV), and those composites reinforced by 0.5 wt.-% nanotubes- 0.5 wt.-% graphene are the highest (593.99 HV). The fracture morphology of the Al2O3 whisker reinforced composite shows a river pattern, indicating brittle cleavage. According to the research results, it can be concluded that the strengthening mechanism of the high entropy alloy composites mainly reflects fine grain strengthening and load transfer, and the toughening mechanism mainly crack bridging and a pulling out of the reinforcing phase.