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Al x CrFeCoNi High-Entropy Alloys: Surface Modification by Electron Beam Bead-on-Plate Melting

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Abstract

Two five-component Al x CrFeCoNi high-entropy alloys, x-0.6 and 0.8, were prepared by vacuum arc-melting. Electron beam surface re-melting was employed to modify the surface properties of the two high-entropy alloys. The effects of electron beam surface re-melting on the structure and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and the Vickers hardness test. Regions of Al0.6CrFeCoNi (P3 alloy) subjected to multi-pass electron beam surface re-melting showed an average value of 374 HV, an increase of 28% when compared to base metal values, while Al0.8CrFeCoNi (P2 alloy) welds exhibited a much higher increase to 530 HV, corresponding to a 34% increase relative to the values obtained with the base metals. In the P2 alloy subjected to multi-pass surface re-melting, significant temper softening caused by overlapping tracks was detected, in contrast to the hardening of the surface induced by a single-pass. It is noteworthy that the significant increase in hardness realized in the P2 multi-pass fusion zones resulted in a microstructure with a high tendency to crack. The increased hardness of that region subjected to electron beam surface re-melting for both alloys is likely associated with a superposition of several factors related to the high cooling rates of solidification in the electron beam re-melted areas.

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Acknowledgments

The research work was partially supported by the Romanian National Program for Research in the framework of Project No. PCCA 209/2012, “Composites structures resistant at dynamic loadings applied with high deformation speeds used in the field of collective protection – HEAMIL” and by Project No. PN-II-IN-DPST-2012-1-0066, “Excavator component reinforced with high-entropy alloys - HEATEETH,” to whom the authors are grateful. The authors thank I. Rosenthal, A. Gienko, D. Mugilyanski E. Millionshckik and R. Golan (BGU) and I. Benishti, S. Levi and E. Tiferet (NRCN), for their valuable technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Department, Nuclear Research Center - Negev, Beersheba, Israel

    M. Nahmany

  2. Materials Engineering Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel

    M. Nahmany, Z. Hooper & A. Stern

  3. Materials Science and Engineering, Politehnica University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    V. Geanta

  4. Engineering and Management of Technological Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    I. Voiculescu

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  1. M. Nahmany
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Correspondence to M. Nahmany.

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Nahmany, M., Hooper, Z., Stern, A. et al. Al x CrFeCoNi High-Entropy Alloys: Surface Modification by Electron Beam Bead-on-Plate Melting. Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 5, 229–240 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-016-0276-y

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