Influence of high strain rate deformation on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of NiCoCrFe high entropy alloy

Abstract

The paper reported a high-entropy alloy, NiCoCrFe, which was produced in a Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) furnace. In order to homogenize the microstructure, the as-cast ingot was rolled, annealed and machined to appropriate dimensions. Then the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) was used to evaluate the specimens under various strain rates. True stress–strain curves of this test showed similar patterns in all strain rates, with two peaks that can be assigned to the competition between strain hardening and thermal softening. Modified Johnson–Cook model applied to characterize flow behavior of the alloy. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the alloy was single-phase with FCC crystal structure at the casting condition, after thermomechanical operation and after high-strain rate tests. The specimens were further examined by EBSD. The results indicated the impressive presence of twins in the samples deformed at strain rate of 1500 s−1, confirms the significant contribution of twinning in the strengthening process; Regarding the low SFE of the mentioned alloy, it can be said that Twin-Induced Plasticity (TWIP) has occurred. By strain rate enhancement to 3000 s−1, finer and elongated grains were observed while twinning decreased because of SFE increase as a result of temperature elevation due to adiabatic heating during deformation. According to KAM map, there was strain gradient in mentioned sample, which results in production of GNDs and GNDs pile-up leading to strain hardening by creating obstacles to further slip. Moreover, in the hat-shaped samples, which used for shear localization resistance evaluations, bundles of nano-twins were observed whose formation largely prevented strain localization and make the above alloy suitable for applications exposed to high-speed impacts.