Annealing on the structure and properties evolution of the CoCrFeNiCuAl high-entropy alloy

The equiatomic multiprincipal CoCrFeNiCuAl high-entropy alloy was prepared using a vacuum arc melt casting method. The as-cast alloy was subsequently annealed at 1000 degrees C for 2 h and the annealing effects on the structure and properties evolution were investigated. The as-cast alloy is composed of simple BCC and FCC solid solutions. The 2 FCC phase precipitates from the ordered BCC matrix and the FCC phases become dominated after the alloy was annealed. Both alloys show typical cast-dendrite morphology and similar elemental segregation. The as-annealed alloy exhibits high strength and excellent ductility of 1.63 GPa and 34%, respectively. Both alloys possess high saturated magnetization and undergo a ferromagnetic transition. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.