Microstructure and mechanical performance of new Al0.5CrFe1.5MnNi0.5 high-entropy alloys improved by plasma nitriding

Effects of plasma nitriding at 525 degrees C on microstructure and mechanical performance of a brand-new Al0.5CrFe1.5MnNi0.5 high-entropy alloy (HEA) were investigated. This alloy exhibits a large age hardening effect at temperatures from 600 to 800 degrees C and can be well-nitrided in the as-cast condition or the homogenized and furnace-cooled state. The nitrided layer has a thickness around 75 mu m and a peak hardness level of Hv 1250 near the surface. The nitrided Al0.5CrFe1.5MnNi0.5 alloys exhibit superior adhesive wear resistance to conventional nitrided steels by 25-54 times due to their much thicker highly-hardened layer and higher peak hardness than that of conventional steels. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.