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A novel high-entropy alloy with an exceptional combination of soft magnetic properties and corrosion resistance

一种兼具优异软磁性能和耐腐蚀性能的高熵合金

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Abstract

The lack of corrosion resistance limits the application of most conventional soft magnetic materials (SMMs) in a corrosive environment, especially in seawater. Hence, enhancing the corrosion resistance of SMMs is critically important. However, a severe contradiction exists between magnetic properties and corrosion resistance as the main anticorrosion element Cr has strong anti-ferromagnetism that deteriorates the magnetism of alloys. This study aimed to report a novel single body-centered cubic high-entropy alloy (HEA) (Fe2.25Co1.25Cr)94Al6 with an optimal combination of soft magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. The saturation magnetization of the HEA was as high as 141.88 emu g−1 and the coercivity was only 2.9 Oe, which were superior to most of the reported magnetic HEAs and conventional alloys. The corrosion resistance of the HEA was better than that of the 304 stainless steel, all of soft magnetic HEAs, and most of the reported HEAs in simulated seawater medium. In addition, the novel HEA exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a yield strength of 1100 MPa, a compressive fracture strain of more than 33%, and an outstanding Vickers hardness value of 469 HV. Thus, this novel (Fe2.25Co1.25Cr)94Al6 HEA is a promising SMM for marine environment applications.

摘要

耐腐蚀性能差限制了大多数软磁材料在腐蚀环境中的应用, 尤 其是海洋环境. 因此, 提高软磁材料的耐腐蚀性能是其在海洋环境工业 应用的关键. 然而, 磁性能和耐腐蚀性能之间存在矛盾关系, 耐腐蚀性 能的主要贡献元素Cr的反铁磁性会严重损害合金的磁性能. 本研究开 发了一种兼具优异力学性能和耐腐蚀性能的软磁高熵合金(Fe2.25Co1.25-Cr)94Al6, 其综合性能优于绝大多数已报道的传统和高熵合金软磁材料. 该合金的饱和磁化强度高达141.88 emu g−1, 矫顽力仅有2.9 Oe; 其在模 拟海水中的耐腐蚀性能优于大多数已报道的软磁高熵合金和传统304 不锈钢; 同时, 该合金还具有优异的力学性能, 屈服强度高达1.1 Gpa, 压 缩断裂延伸率超过33%, 硬度高于469 HV. 这种新型的耐蚀软磁高熵合 金有望满足海洋环境中的使役要求, 解决软磁材料在海洋腐蚀环境下 的使役难题.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U20A20278 and 52001051), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFA0702901 and 2019YFA0209901), Liao Ning Revitalization Talents Program (XLYC1807047), the Major Special Project of “Scientific and Technological Innovation 2025” in Ningbo (2019B10086), and the project funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2021T140082).

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Duan J designed the alloy and conducted the mechanical and magnetic property tests. Huang R performed the SEM experiments. Duan J and Miao J performed the electrochemical experiments. Lu Y and Wang M directed the entire research. Duan J wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to the discussion and revision of this paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yiping Lu  (卢一平).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Jiacheng Duan received his bachelor’s degree from Dalian University of Technology in 2020. Currently, he is a master degree candidate at the Key Laboratory of Solidification Control and Digital Preparation Technology in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, China. His current research interest focuses on the composition design and properties study of soft magnetic high-entropy alloys.

Yiping Lu received his PhD degree in materials science from Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2008. He is currently a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology. He is one of the earliest scholars to study HEAs and is also an internationally recognized leader in the fields of HEAs. He proposed the design idea of eutectic HEAs (EHEAs) and opened up a new subclass of HEAs.

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Duan, J., Wang, M., Huang, R. et al. A novel high-entropy alloy with an exceptional combination of soft magnetic properties and corrosion resistance. Sci. China Mater. 66, 772–779 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-022-2171-5

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