Metastable microstructures in the solidification of undercooled high entropy alloys

Abstract

High entropy alloys with multiple phases are taken for undercooling studies and established the microstructure evolution with respect to undercooling. The melt fluxing technique was used for the current study to achieve undercooling. Predictions on the equilibrium phase formation of these systems was performed using CALPHAD approach and compared with experimental observations. Metastable microstructures were observed during undercooling and the morphological changes could be correlated with the currently established mechanisms. The detailed microstructure evolution in FeCoNiCuX0.5 (X = Al, Mo, Ti, W, Zr) shows the minute addition of these elements results in variation in microstructure evolution during as cast as well as undercooled condition. The studied systems show a maximum undercooling of more than 0.18 TL. and maintained crystalline nature even in deep undercooling. The segregation nature of elements was studied and correlated with the phase field simulations obtained.