Gradient cell–structured high-entropy alloy with exceptional strength and ductility

Pan, Qingsong; Zhang, Liangxue; Feng, Rui; Lu, Qiuhong; An, Ke; Chuang, Andrew Chihpin; Poplawsky, Jonathan D.; Liaw, Peter K.; Lu, Lei

doi:10.1126/science.abj8114

Gradient cell–structured high-entropy alloy with exceptional strength and ductility

Journal Article · Thu Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abj8114· OSTI ID:1869780

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Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenyang (China)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenyang (China); Univ. of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

We report that similar to conventional materials, most multicomponent high-entropy alloys (HEAs) lose ductility as they gain strength. In this study, we controllably introduced gradient nanoscaled dislocation cell structures in a stable single-phase HEA with face-centered cubic structure, thus resulting in enhanced strength without apparent loss of ductility. Upon application of strain, the sample-level structural gradient induces progressive formation of a high density of tiny stacking faults (SFs) and twins, nucleating from abundant low-angle dislocation cells. Furthermore, the SF-induced plasticity and the resultant refined structures, coupled with intensively accumulated dislocations, contribute to plasticity, increased strength, and work hardening. These findings offer a promising paradigm for tailoring properties with gradient dislocation cells at the nanoscale and advance our fundamental understanding of the intrinsic deformation behavior of HEAs.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation of China; Frontier Science and International partnership; Youth Innovation Promotion Association; Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); LiaoNing Revitalization Talents Program; National Science Foundation; US Army Research Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1869780

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1878719

Journal Information:: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 6570 Vol. 374; ISSN 0036-8075

Publisher:: AAASCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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