Al0.5CoCrFeNi2 High Entropy Alloy Particle Reinforced AZ91 Magnesium Alloy-Based Composite Processed by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

In this study, AZ91 magnesium-alloy-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 10 wt% of Al0.5CoCrFeNi2 high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles and SiC particles were prepared by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process at 300 °C. The effects of reinforcements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91-based MMCs were studied. The results showed that AZ91–HEA composite consisted of α-Mg, Mg17Al12 and FCC phases. No interfacial reaction layer was observed between HEA particles and the Mg matrix. After adding HEA into AZ91, the compressive yield strength (C.Y.S) of the AZ91–HEA composite increased by 17% without degradation of failure strain. In addition, the increment in C.Y.S brought by HEA was comparable to that contributed by commonly used SiC reinforcement (15%). A relatively low porosity in the composite and enhanced interfacial bonding between the α-Mg matrix and HEA particles make HEA a potential reinforcement material in MMCs.

Preparation, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Al Matrix Composites Reinforced with High‐Entropy Alloys: A Review

“…[27] Researchers have introduced HEA particles into various metal matrices to obtain excellent and desirable properties. [28][29][30] Xiong et al prepared CoCrFeNiMo HEAs@TC4 composites using spark plasma sintering (SPS); the composites with HEAs exhibited greater yield strength (YS) and hardness than the TC4 alloy that was not reinforced. [28] A composite with a Cu matrix reinforced with FeCoNiCrAl HEAs was fabricated using friction stir processing (FSP).…”

“…The compressive YS of the HEAs@AZ91 composites increased by 17%, slightly exceeding that of the SiC@AZ91 composites, without compromising plasticity. [30] Researchers introducing HEA particles into Al alloys require a systematic preparation process to achieve effective interfacial bonding between the matrix and HEAs, as well as excellent performance. Some design principles of HEAs for AMCs are as follows.…”

“…The compressive YS of the HEAs@AZ91 composites increased by 17%, slightly exceeding that of the SiC@AZ91 composites, without compromising plasticity. [ 30 ]…”

Nano-Enhanced Phase Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites: A Review of the Matrix, Reinforcement, Interface Design, Properties and Potential Applications

“…High-entropy alloys (HEA), as an emerging alloy, have also attracted widespread attention. For example, adding iron greatly increases the strength of the materials [51,52]. Ceramic reinforcements are of the highest interest as reinforcement materials because of their relatively high modulus, high hardness, low CTE, good high temperature performance, excellent thermal stability and high chemical stability.…”

Effect of Nano-Ti Particles on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-3Al-1Zn Matrix Composites

“…Chin [ 27 ], Ho [ 28 ], Kwasniak [ 29 ], etc., show that the addition of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) and titanium (Ti) can effectively improve the strength and ductility of the composite material [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. However, Cu and Ni form intermetallic compounds Mg 2 Cu [ 35 ] and Mg 2 Ni [ 36 ] with Mg, which hinder the ductility of magnesium-based composites [ 28 , 35 , 36 ].…”