Structural and mechanical properties of the additive manufactured CrFeCoNi(Al,Ti) high-entropy alloys produced using powder blends

High-entropy Alloys (HEAs) are considered prospective materials demonstrating the new approach of alloy design creating new compositions for harsh conditions. However, searching for alloy chemical composition providing the best material properties is a costly process. Additive manufacturing (AM) can be an effective technique for adjusting the alloy composition by using several initial materials. The powder bed fusion (PBF) AM process allows the printing of solid parts using powder blends. In the present study, the CrFeCoNi(Al,Ti) HEAs were printed by the PBF technique using the blends of three powders. The structural and phase investigations revealed the chemical inhomogeneity in the materials that led to the new phase formations affecting the mechanical characteristics. The high-temperature annealing at 1200 degrees C can be considered a post-treatment process for the printed alloys as a homogenization process while the annealing at a lower temperature of 800 degrees C initiates the decomposition of the initially formed f.c.c. phase.

Automated summary

High-entropy Alloys (HEAs) are promising materials for harsh conditions and additive manufacturing (AM) can be used for adjusting their composition. In this study, CrFeCoNi(Al,Ti) HEAs were printed by powder bed fusion (PBF) using a blend of three powders. The investigation revealed chemical inhomogeneity and phase formations in the printed alloys, which can be influenced by post-treatment processes such as high-temperature annealing.