Development of a new high entropy alloy for wear resistance: FeCoCrNiW0.3 and FeCoCrNiW0.3+5 at.% of C

A new high entropy alloy (HEA) has been synthesized using a predictive method recently developed. The alloy performance is compared to that of a benchmark commercial alloys (Stellite (R) 6) as wear resistance material for coating automotive engine valves. Using step by step predictive parameters the occurrence of an fcc solid solution with entropy of mixing higher than the conventional limit of 1.5 R (with R the gas constant) was singled out and verified in the FeCoCrNiW0.3 composition. The as-cast ingot displays W segregation within the fcc grains as revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns which were fitted by assuming the arc melted alloy contains two solid solutions. The segregation is eliminated by annealing at 1200 degrees C for 3 h. In these sample a (Co-Fe)(7)W-6-type phase is found embedded in the solid solution matrix. Slip bands around indentation marks suggest low stacking fault energy of FeCoCrNiW0.3. The high entropy alloy (HEA) has been hardened by adding 5 at.% C to form carbides inside the fcc matrix. Conventional hardness, scratch and oxidation resistance tests show that the alloy compares well with Co-based Stellite (R) 6 being the content of the expensive and strategical elements halved with respect to it. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.