Microstructural Evolution of a Selective Laser Melted FeCoCrNiMn-(N,Si) High-Entropy Alloy Subject to Cold-Rolling and Subsequent Annealing

Herein this article, selective laser melting (SLM) technique is used to manufacture N and Si contained FeCoCrNiMn high-entropy alloy (HEA). The SLMed FeCoCrNiMn-(N,Si) alloy is then treated by cold-rolling and isochronous annealing. The influences of Si and N additions on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of the HEA are investigated. It is shown that adding Si and N elements increases the recrystallization temperature and postpones the whole recrystallization processing of the alloy. The annealing-induced anomalous hardening is seen for the alloy at both 500 and 600 degrees C. When the annealing treatment temperature is 800 degrees C and above, the alloy is fully recrystallized in 1 h. The tensile properties evolution of the FeCoCrNiMn-(N,Si) alloy with annealing temperature has the similar tendency to the equiatomic FeCoCrNiMn alloy. In addition, uniformly distributed Cr2N particles form during the annealing processing. The dispersion and small size of the Cr2N particles significantly improve the tensile mechanical properties of the alloy by inhibiting the movements of both dislocations and grain boundaries.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of Si and N additions on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of FeCoCrNiMn high-entropy alloy. The results show that adding Si and N elements increases the recrystallization temperature and delays the recrystallization process. The formation of uniformly distributed Cr2N particles during annealing significantly improves the tensile mechanical properties of the alloy by inhibiting the movements of both dislocations and grain boundaries.