Microstructural Modification of Laser-Deposited High-Entropy CrFeCoNiMoWC Alloy by Friction Stir Processing: Nanograin Formation and Deformation Mechanism

Abstract

Nanostructured CrFeCoNiMoWC high-entropy alloy layer was developed through laser-melting deposition and severe plastic deformation (SPD). The laser-deposited CrFeCoNiMoWC alloy consists of dendritic and subeutectic with a continuous network structure. After SPD, the laser-deposited microstructure with grain size 3 to 4 μm was transformed into nanostructure with grain size 5 to 100 nm and the continuous networks were crushed into dispersed nanoparticles. The new phases of WC and Co3W were presented in the plastic zone after SPD due to the worn debris of the SPD tool. More interestingly, amorphous phase was found in the plastic zone, owing to the high temperature, high hydrostatic pressure, and large shear stress. The refined microstructure resulted in the enhancement of microhardness and electrochemical corrosion property. Many nanotwins were detected in the plastic zone; thus, strengthening mechanisms were reasonably inferred as twinning strengthening, work hardening, dispersion strengthening, refinement strengthening, and dislocation strengthening. The Lomer–Cottrell lock, full dislocation interacting with a partial dislocation at the twinning boundary, and high density of dislocation at the twinning boundary, stacking fault, and grain boundary were observed, which account for the property enhancement of the nanocrystalline.