E. Polatidis, S. Shukla, J. Čapek, S. Van Petegem, N. Casati, R.S. Mishra

The mechanical behavior of a metastable high entropy alloy (HEA) with composition Fe39-Mn20-Co20-Cr15-Si5-1Al at% is investigated. The deformation mechanisms contributing to its mechanical properties are unveiled, by performing uniaxial tensile tests in situ with synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Three distinct deformation regimes are detected. The initial elastic and early dislocation-based plasticity deformation is followed by a moderate work hardening rate regime, which is associated with the deformation-induced phase formation of ε-martensite, with hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystal structure as well as slip in the parent austenitic phase. During the third deformation regime, the phase transformation continues to occur in combination with 2 modes of hcp twinning as well as slip in the unfavorably oriented grains for twinning. The interplay of all these co-existing deformation mechanisms can be evidenced by synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

Keywords: High entropy alloy; Martensite; TRIP; Deformation; Work hardening; X-ray diffraction

Materials Today Communications
Volume 30, 2022, 103155, ISSN 2352-4928

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.103155

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352492822000332)