Abstract
A series of novel CoCrFeNi-based high-entropy alloys containing Sc and C were designed. These HEAs exhibited hardness, fracture toughness and wear resistance comparable or better than a range of selected benchmark systems. Microstructurally, we observed composite microstructures comprising variously a Sc-rich intermetallic phase, a sigma phase and an FCC solid solution phase within which precipitated M23C6 carbides. The Sc-rich intermetallic phase possessed a stoichiometry close to (Co, M)2(Sc, M), where M = Ni and Fe. As the carbon content increased, the hardness levels ‘softened’ from 799 VHN (C-free) to 674 VHN (C = 4 at.%), though the fracture toughness was increased ~ 112%. At the same time, the specific wear rate was enhanced from 0.33 × 10−3 to 0.14 × 10−3 mm3·(N m)−1. The effectiveness of these microstructures in balancing high hardness, crack deflection and a relatively low wear rate was attributed to the enhanced stability of the FCC solid phase as the C content was increased.Graphical abstract
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