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Title: Phase stability, physical properties and strengthening mechanisms of concentrated solid solution alloys

Journal Article · · Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science

Here, we review recent research developments in a special class of multicomponent concentrated solid solution alloys (CSAs) – of which the recently discovered high entropy alloys (HEAs) are exemplars – that offer a new paradigm for the development of next generation structural materials. This review focuses on the role of inherent extreme chemical complexity on the phase stability, electronic, transport, and mechanical properties of this remarkable class of disordered solid solution alloys. Both experimental observations and theoretical models indicate that the phase stability of HEAs goes beyond the original conjecture that these alloys are stabilized by configurational/mixing entropy; rather, it results from competition between the homogeneously disordered phase and phase separation/intermetallic compound formation. Although the number of single-phase HEAs with equiatomic composition is limited, those that do exist often exhibit remarkable electronic, magnetic, transport, and mechanical properties. For the mechanical response, we discuss the solution strengthening mechanism which governs the strength and deformation behaviors of the CSAs, as well as the increasing evidence that low stacking fault energies (deformation twinning) plays an important role in the low temperature strength and ductility of CrMnFeCoNi related alloys. We also review the current understanding of the role of the number and type of alloy elements in determining the electronic, magnetic, and transport properties, in particular the dominant role of magnetic interactions in the properties of 3d-transition metal based alloys. Finally, we emphasize that, despite rapid progress in characterization and understanding of the phase stability and physical/mechanical responses of CSAs, there remain significant challenges to fully exploring the new paradigm that these alloys represent.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Energy Dissipation to Defect Evolution (EDDE)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1474729
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1495886
Journal Information:
Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, Vol. 21, Issue 5; ISSN 1359-0286
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 53 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (7)

Influence of Annealing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Nanocrystalline CrCoNi Medium-Entropy Alloy text January 2018
Effect of d electrons on defect properties in equiatomic NiCoCr and NiCoFeCr concentrated solid solution alloys journal January 2018
Angular-dependent interatomic potential for the binary Ni–Cr system journal October 2018
Microstructure and mechanical properties of AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys produced by spark plasma sintering journal June 2019
Influence of Annealing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Nanocrystalline CrCoNi Medium-Entropy Alloy journal April 2018
Role of magnetism in the stability of the high-entropy alloy CoCrFeMnNi and its derivatives journal December 2019
Enhanced strength and ductility of a tungsten-doped CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy journal July 2018