Oxidation behaviour of a novel refractory high entropy alloy at elevated temperatures

Abstract

The refractory high entropy alloy (RHEA) has shown great potentials for high temperature applications beyond modern Ni-based superalloy. However, its oxidation behaviours are rarely reported and understood. In this work, the oxidation behaviours of a novel RHEA “NV1”, Cr-17.6Al-20.3Mo-15.2Nb-2.9Si-13.4Ta-5.4Ti (in at%), were examined at 1200, 1300, and 1400 °C up to 100 h. At 1200 °C, the oxidation kinetics curve yielded toward parabolic behaviour owing to the formation of a rutile-type complex oxide layer with Al2O3 and Cr2O3 dispersions; breakaway oxidation contributed by Cr2O3 evaporation occurred at 1300 °C; a single power-law behaviour governed the oxidation kinetics curve at 1400 °C, and mullite was identified within the oxide layer. This work provides guidelines for understanding the oxidation mechanisms and improving oxidation resistance of RHEA at elevated temperature.