Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of B content on microstructure and mechanical properties of (Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5)100-xBx high-entropy alloys

  • Article
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

(Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5)100-xBx (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, x values in molar ratio) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were prepared by vacuum arc melting, and the effect of B content on crystal structure, microstructure and mechanical properties of (Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5)100-xBx HEAs were systematically studied. In this present work, the results showed that Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5 HEA was mainly composed of FCC and BCC solid solutions. With the addition of B element, the microstructure of the studied alloy first changed to hypoeutectic microstructure (x = 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8), then to fully eutectic microstructure with a mixture of FCC, BCC and boride phases (x = 10), and finally to hypereutectic microstructure (x = 12). With the increased of B content, the hardness of (Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5)100-xBx HEAs show overall upward trend; The strength firstly increases and then decreases. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the studied alloys were second phase strengthening, fine grain strengthening and solid solution strengthening.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. Z.P. Lu, H. Wang, M.W. Chen, I. Baker, J.W. Yeh, C.T. Liu, T.G. Nieh, An assessment on the future development of high-entropy alloys: summary from a recent workshop. Intermetallics 66, 67–76 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D.B. Miracle, O.N. Senkov, A critical review of high entropy alloys and related concepts. Acta Mater. 122, 448–511 (2017)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Qin, Z.B. Li, R.R. Chen, H.T. Zheng, C.L. Fan, L. Wang, Y.Q. Su, H.S. Ding, J.J. Guo, H.Z. Fu, CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys reinforced with Laves phase by adding Nb and Ti elements. J. Mater. Res. 34(6), 1011–1020 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. N. Gao, D.H. Lu, Y.Y. Zhao, X.W. Liu, G.H. Liu, Y. Wu, G. Liu, Z.T. Fan, Z.P. Lu, E.P. George, Strengthening of a CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy by carbide precipitation. J. Alloys Compd. 792, 1028–1035 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Z.C. Chang, D.C. Tsai, E.C. Chen, Effect of N2 flow on the structure and mechanical properties of (CrTaTiVZr)Nx coatings processed by reactive magnetron sputtering. J. Mater. Res. 30(7), 924–934 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J.W. Yeh, S.K. Chen, S.J. Lin, J.Y. Gan, T.S. Chin, T.T. Shun, C.H. Tsau, S.Y. Chang, Nanostructured high-entropy alloys with multiple principal elements: novel alloy design concepts and outcomes. Adv. Eng. Mater. 6(5), 299–303 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Y.X. Guo, Q.B. Liu, Investigation on annealing strengthening effect of laser cladding Fe5Cr5Co5SiTiNbMoW high-entropy alloy coating. J. Mater. Res. 33, 3339–3346 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Z.H. Yin, X.W. Liu, N. Gao, S.R. Li, J.Q. Yao, Z.T. Fan, W.B. Zhang, Y.Z. Wang, Grain refinement of a NiCoFe medium entropy alloy: composition design from solute interaction perspective. J. Alloys Compd. 951, 169966 (2023)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. A. Kumar, A. Singh, A. Suhane, Synthesis and characterization of a novel CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy-reinforced AA6082 composite. J. Mater. Res. 37(18), 2961–2978 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. C.Y. Hsu, J.W. Yeh, S.K. Chen, T.T. Shun, Wear resistance and high-temperature compression strength of Fcc CuCoNiCrAl0.5Fe alloy with boron addition. Metall Mater Trans A 35(5), 1465–1469 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. B.P. Xu, Y.C. Zhou, Y.D. Liu, S.J. Hu, G.D. Zhang, Effect of different contents of WC on microstructure and properties of CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy-deposited layers prepared by PTA. J. Mater. Res. 37(3), 719–727 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. L. Guo, X.Q. Ou, S. Ni, Y. Liu, M. Song, Effects of carbon on the microstructures and mechanical properties of FeCoCrNiMn high-entropy alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 746, 356–362 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. C.Y. Hsu, T.S. Sheu, J.W. Yeh, S.K. Chen, Effect of iron content on wear behavior of AlCoCrFexMo0.5Ni high-entropy alloys. Wear 268(5–6), 653–659 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. C. Li, S.H. Chen, Z.W. Wu, Z.F. Zhang, Y.C. Wu, Development of high-strength WNbMoTaVZrx refractory high entropy alloys. J. Mater. Res. 37(9), 1664–1678 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. X.W. Liu, G. Laplanche, A. Kostka, S.G. Fries, J. Pfetzing-Micklich, G. Liu, E.P. George, Columnar to equiaxed transition and grain refinement of cast CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy by microalloying with titanium and carbon. J. Alloys Compd. 775, 1068–1076 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Z. Fu, B.E. MacDonald, T.C. Monson, B. Zheng, W. Chen, E.J. Lavernia, Influence of heat treatment on microstructure, mechanical behavior, and soft magnetic properties in an fcc-based Fe29Co28Ni29Cu7Ti7 high-entropy alloy. J. Mater. Res. 33(15), 2214–2222 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. O.N. Senkov, G.B. Wilks, D.B. Miracle, C.P. Chuang, P.K. Liaw, Refractory high-entropy alloys. Intermetallics 18(9), 1758–1765 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. M.G. Poletti, L. Battezzati, Electronic and thermodynamic criteria for the occurrence of high entropy alloys in metallic systems. Acta Mater. 75, 297–306 (2014)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. J. Cui, Z.C. Tang, M.Z. Yu, J.J. Hu, X.Y. Chen, Z.B. Xu, J.M. Zeng, Effect of heat treatment on microstructural evolution and microhardness change of Al-5Zn-0.03In-1Er Alloy. Metals 12(3), 370 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. W. Zhang, X.C. Ye, D. Xu, C. Liu, D. Fang, B. Li, Microstructures and properties of CrxFeNi(3–x) Al high-entropy alloys. Appl. Phys. A. 128(1), 1–9 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. F. Meydaneri, M. Payveren, B. Saatçi, M. Özdemir, N. Maraşlı, Experimental determination of interfacial energy for solid Zn solution in the Sn-Zn eutectic system. Met. Mater. Int. 18(1), 95–104 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. X. Jin, J. Bi, L. Zhang, Y. Zhou, X.Y. Du, Y.X. Liang, B.S. Li, A new CrFeNi2Al eutectic high entropy alloy system with excellent mechanical properties. J. Alloys Compd. 770, 655–661 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Y.P. Lu, Y. Dong, S. Guo, L. Jiang, H.J. Kang, T.M. Wang, B. Wen, Z.J. Wang, J.C. Jie, Z.Q. Cao, H.H. Ruan, T.J. Li, A promising new class of high-temperature alloys: eutectic high-entropy alloys. Sci. Rep. 4(1), 6200 (2014)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. F. He, Z.J. Wang, P. Cheng, Q. Wang, J.J. Li, Y.Y. Dang, J.C. Wang, C.T. Liu, Designing eutectic high entropy alloys of CoCrFeNiNbx. J. Alloys Compd. 656, 284–289 (2016)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Q. Wu, Z. Wang, T. Zheng, D. Chen, Z. Yang, J. Li, J.J. Kai, J. Wang, A casting eutectic high entropy alloy with superior strength-ductility combination. Mater. Lett. 253, 268–271 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Z.W. Wang, L. Baker, Z.H. Cai, S. Chen, J.D. Poplawsky, W. Guo, The effect of interstitial carbon on the mechanical properties and dislocation substructure evolution in Fe404Ni11.3Mn34.8Al7.5Cr6 high entropy alloys. Acta Mater 120, 228–239 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. J.J. Feng, S. Gao, K. Han, Y.D. Miao, J.Q. Qi, F.X. Wei, Y.J. Ren, Z.Z. Zhan, Y.W. Sui, Z. Sun, P. Cao, Effects of minor B addition on microstructure and properties of Al19Co20Fe20Ni41 eutectic high-entropy alloy. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China. 31(4), 1049–1058 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. J.Y. Wang, J.H. Fang, H.L. Yang, Z.L. Liu, R.D. Li, S.X. Ji, Y. Wang, J.M. Ruan, Mechanical properties and wear resistance of medium entropy Fe40Mn40Cr10Co10/TiC composites. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China. 29(7), 1484–1494 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. J. Peng, Z.Y. Li, X.B. Ji, Y.L. Sun, L.M. Fu, A.D. Shan, Mechanical properties and wear resistance of medium entropy Fe40Mn40Cr10Co10/TiC composites. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China. 30(7), 1884–1894 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. J.B. Seol, J.W. Bae, Z.M. Li, J.C. Han, J.G. Kim, D. Raabe, H.S. Kim, Boron doped ultrastrong and ductile high-entropy alloys. Acta Mater. 151, 366–376 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. C.P. Lee, Y.Y. Chen, C.Y. Hsu, J.W. Yeh, H.C. Shih, The effect of boron on the corrosion resistance of the high entropy alloys Al0.5CoCrCuFeNiBx. J Electrochem Soc 154(8), 424 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. J.M. Zhu, H.M. Fu, H.F. Zhang, A.M. Wang, H. Li, Z.Q. Hu, Microstructure and compressive properties of multiprincipal component AlCoCrFeNiCx alloys. J. Alloys Compd. 509(8), 3476–3480 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. X. Guo, X. Jin, X.H. Shi, H.J. Yang, M. Zhang, J.W. Qiao, Tribological Behavior of Boronized Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 High-Entropy Alloys. Metals. 11(10), 1561 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. H. Jiang, K.M. Han, X.X. Gao, Y.P. Lu, Z.Q. Cao, M.C. Gao, J.A. Hawk, T.J. Li, A new strategy to design eutectic high-entropy alloys using simple mixture method. Mater. Des. 142, 101–105 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. S.H. Chen, J.S. Zhang, S. Guan, T. Li, J.Q. Liu, F.F. Wu, Y.C. Wu, Microstructure and mechanical properties of WNbMoTaZrx (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0) refractory high entropy alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 835, 142701 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. X. Yang, Y. Zhang, Prediction of high-entropy stabilized solid-solution in multi-component alloys. Mater. Chem. Phys. 132(2–3), 233–238 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. S. Guo, C. Ng, J. Lu, C.T. Liu, Effect of valence electron concentration on stability of fcc or bcc phase in high entropy alloys. J. Appl. Phys. 109(10), 103505 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. L. Wang, C.L. Yao, J. Shen, Y.P. Zhang, G. Liu, X.Y. Wu, G.J. Zhang, A new method to design eutectic high-entropy alloys by determining the formation of single-phase solid solution and calculating solidification paths. Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 830, 142325 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Q.S. Chen, Y. Dong, J.J. Zhang, Y.P. Lu, Microstructure and properties of AlCoCrFeNiBx (x= 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) high entropy Alloys. Rare. Met. Mater. Eng. 46(3), 651–656 (2017)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Y. Jiang, X.M. Li, G.T. Zhou, B.X. Zhu, Effects of B content on microstructure and properties of CrFeCoNiTi0.6 high-entropy alloy. Mater. Sci. Eng. Powder Metall. (2021). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1673-0224.2020.05.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research is financially supported by the Key Projects of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (No. D20201206), the Open Research Fund of Hubei Engineering Research Center for Graphite Additive Manufacturing Technology and Equipment (No. HRCGAM202102), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52031017).

Funding

The Key Projects of Hubei Provincial Department of Education, No. D20201206, Bo Li, the Open Research Fund of Hubei Engineering Research Center for Graphite Additive Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, No. HRCGAM202102, Bo Li, National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 52031017, Bo Li.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China

    Wanqing Chen, Bo Li, Han Yang, Lei Xu, Xicong Ye & Dong Fang

  2. Hubei Engineering Research Center for Graphite Additive Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China

    Bo Li, Xicong Ye & Dong Fang

Authors
  1. Wanqing Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bo Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Han Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lei Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xicong Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Dong Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bo Li.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, W., Li, B., Yang, H. et al. Effect of B content on microstructure and mechanical properties of (Co30Cr25Fe40Ni5)100-xBx high-entropy alloys. Journal of Materials Research 38, 3187–3198 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01043-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01043-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation