Studying the Effect of Cold Rolling and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Fe36Mn20Ni20Cr16Al5Si3 High Entropy Alloy

Abstract

In this study, a multi-component FeMnNiCrAlSi high-entropy alloy, chosen through Thermo-Calc® software (2021a, Stockholm, Sweden) calculation and produced by electric arc melting, was studied for phase continents and mechanical properties. The results elucidated that the cold rolled condition (area reduction ratio about 86%) was in the form of elongated grains with a dendritic structure. Also, small amounts of the BCC phase were precipitated at the grain boundaries. The annealed sample shows features of BCC phase and different sizes of intermetallics. These results coincided with the predictions of Thermo-Calc® software calculations. A cold rolled sample showed high compressive yield strength of about 950 MPa, and the annealed sample had only half the strength of the cold rolled condition. The cold rolled sample shows the highest micro-hardness. The wear resistance of the annealed condition was significantly improved at room temperature and at 200 °C. The brittle phases in the annealed condition have a positive impact on the wear resistance.