Study of phase equilibrium of refractory high-entropy alloys using the atomic size difference concept for turbine blade applications

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Abstract In the pursuit of advancing turbine blade materials, refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) have emerged as promising candidates, offering superior performance at elevated temperatures compared to conventional superalloys. With the plateauing of melting temperatures in Ni-based superalloys, the demand for innovative material systems capable of substantial performance enhancements in turbines has increased. The expansive compositional space of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) presents a rich yet underexplored realm, particularly concerning the intricate phase equilibria pivotal for alloy stability at high temperatures. This research purpose is to elucidate the phase formation dynamics within the W–Re–Ni–Co–Mo HEA system across varying atomic percentages of each constituent element. Employing two-dimensional mapping methodology for correlating atomic size difference and enthalpy mix parameters, enabling the differentiation between intermetallic (IM) phase and single-phase formations in the non-equimolar W–Re–Ni–Co–Mo system across numerous atomic percentages of each element. Major findings indicate distinct phase formations based on elemental compositions, with elevated nickel and rhenium percentages favouring single-phase solid solution (SPSS) structures, while diminished concentrations yield alternative configurations such as (IM + SPSS). Similarly, variations in tungsten and molybdenum concentrations influence phase stability. The ability to assess phases for diverse atomic percentages of elements in the W–Re–Ni–Co–Mo system will facilitate to analyse HEA systems for high-temperature turbine blades.