On the prediction of low-cost high entropy alloys using new thermodynamic multi-objective criteria

Abstract

In an attempt to identify new low-cost metallic materials with interesting thermo-physical properties from the Fe-Cr-Mn-Ni-V-Ti-Al- (Co-Mo) system, we present here an original tool for the design of first-generation High Entropy Alloys (HEAs). The composition of potential HEAs is calculated under a set of non-smooth and non-linear constraints and multi-objective functions linked to the single-phase start temperature, the room-temperature driving force for phase assemblage evolution and the solidification range. These are all new thermodynamic criteria for the design of HEAs. This tool links a constrained Gibbs energy minimization algorithm that uses accurate thermodynamic databases to an optimization algorithm implemented for solving “blackbox” objective functions and constraints. As a result of this work, we have identified entire sets of new FCC and BCC first-generation HEAs potentially suitable for future industrial applications. The proposed methodology is also successfully applied to identify two-phase heavily alloyed materials.