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Title: Microstructural stability and mechanical behavior of FeNiMnCr high entropy alloy under ion irradiation

Abstract

In recent years, high entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted significant attention due to their excellent mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance, making them potential candidates for high temperature fission and fusion structural applications. However there is very little known about their radiation resistance, particularly at elevated temperatures relevant for energy applications. In the present study, a single phase (face centered cubic) concentrated solid solution alloy of composition 27%Fe-28%Ni-27%Mn-18%Cr was irradiated with 3 or 5.8 MeV Ni ions at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 700 °C and midrange doses from 0.03 to 10 displacements per atom (dpa). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (STEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the radiation defects and microstructural changes. Irradiation at higher temperatures showed evidence of relatively sluggish solute diffusion with limited solute depletion or enrichment at grain boundaries. The main microstructural feature at all temperatures was high-density small dislocation loops. Voids were not observed at any irradiation condition. Nano-indentation tests on specimens irradiated at room temperature showed a rapid increase in hardness ~35% and ~80% higher than the unirradiated value at 0.03 and 0.3 dpa midrange doses, respectively. The irradiation-induced hardening was lessmore » pronounced for 500 °C irradiations (<20% increase after 3 dpa). Overall, the examined HEA material exhibits superior radiation resistance compared to conventional single phase Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic alloys such as stainless steels. Furthermore, the present study provides insight on the fundamental irradiation behavior of a single phase HEA material over a broad range of irradiation temperatures.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
OSTI Identifier:
1256811
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1326425
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Acta Materialia
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 113; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 1359-6454
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; high entropy alloy; radiation-induced segregation; dislocation loops; concentrated multi-component solid solution alloy; irradiation defects

Citation Formats

Leonard, Keith J., Bei, Hongbin, Zinkle, Steven J., Kiran Kumar, N. A. P., and Li, C. Microstructural stability and mechanical behavior of FeNiMnCr high entropy alloy under ion irradiation. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2016.05.007.
Leonard, Keith J., Bei, Hongbin, Zinkle, Steven J., Kiran Kumar, N. A. P., & Li, C. Microstructural stability and mechanical behavior of FeNiMnCr high entropy alloy under ion irradiation. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2016.05.007
Leonard, Keith J., Bei, Hongbin, Zinkle, Steven J., Kiran Kumar, N. A. P., and Li, C. Fri . "Microstructural stability and mechanical behavior of FeNiMnCr high entropy alloy under ion irradiation". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2016.05.007. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1256811.
@article{osti_1256811,
title = {Microstructural stability and mechanical behavior of FeNiMnCr high entropy alloy under ion irradiation},
author = {Leonard, Keith J. and Bei, Hongbin and Zinkle, Steven J. and Kiran Kumar, N. A. P. and Li, C.},
abstractNote = {In recent years, high entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted significant attention due to their excellent mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance, making them potential candidates for high temperature fission and fusion structural applications. However there is very little known about their radiation resistance, particularly at elevated temperatures relevant for energy applications. In the present study, a single phase (face centered cubic) concentrated solid solution alloy of composition 27%Fe-28%Ni-27%Mn-18%Cr was irradiated with 3 or 5.8 MeV Ni ions at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 700 °C and midrange doses from 0.03 to 10 displacements per atom (dpa). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (STEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the radiation defects and microstructural changes. Irradiation at higher temperatures showed evidence of relatively sluggish solute diffusion with limited solute depletion or enrichment at grain boundaries. The main microstructural feature at all temperatures was high-density small dislocation loops. Voids were not observed at any irradiation condition. Nano-indentation tests on specimens irradiated at room temperature showed a rapid increase in hardness ~35% and ~80% higher than the unirradiated value at 0.03 and 0.3 dpa midrange doses, respectively. The irradiation-induced hardening was less pronounced for 500 °C irradiations (<20% increase after 3 dpa). Overall, the examined HEA material exhibits superior radiation resistance compared to conventional single phase Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic alloys such as stainless steels. Furthermore, the present study provides insight on the fundamental irradiation behavior of a single phase HEA material over a broad range of irradiation temperatures.},
doi = {10.1016/j.actamat.2016.05.007},
journal = {Acta Materialia},
number = C,
volume = 113,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Fri May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}

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