Evaluation of Radiation Response in CoCrFeCuNi High-Entropy Alloys

Abstract

CoCrFeCuNi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) prepared by arc melting were irradiated with a 100 keV He+ ion beam. Volume swelling and hardening induced by irradiation were evaluated. When the dose reached 5.0 × 1017 ions/cm2, the Cu-rich phases exhibited more severe volume swelling compared with the matrix phases. This result indicated that the Cu-rich phases were favorable sites for the nucleation and gathering of He bubbles. X-ray diffraction indicated that all diffraction peak intensities decreased regularly. This reduction suggested loosening of the irradiated layer, thereby reducing crystallinity, under He+ ion irradiation. The Nix-Gao model was used to fit the measured hardness in order to obtain a hardness value H0 that excludes the indentation size effect. At ion doses of 2.5 × 1017 ions/cm2 and 5.0 × 1017 ions/cm2, the HEAs showed obvious hardening, which could be attributed to the formation of large amounts of irradiation defects. At the ion dose of 1.0 × 1018 ions/cm2, hardening was reduced, owing to the exfoliation of the original irradiation layer, combined with recovery induced by long-term thermal spike. This study is important to explore the potential uses of HEAs under extreme irradiation conditions.

Recent Advances in Additive Manufacturing of High Entropy Alloys and Their Nuclear and Wear-Resistant Applications

“…On the other hand, Wang et al [308] noticed a reduction in crystallinity resulted from He ion irradiation on CoCrFeCuNi alloy. Yang et al [298] observed that precipitation of the L12 phase was suppressed due to irradiation-induced ballistic mixing at temperatures less than or equal to 500 • C. Additionally, precipitation of the B2 phase was favored at 650 • C due to improved diffusion by irradiation.…”

New Advances in High-Entropy Alloys

“…As a result, HEAs have shown excellent performance in radiation resistance, which provides new ideas for the development of nuclear materials. CoCrFeCuNi alloys were irradiated with a 100 keV He + ion beam by Wang et al [ 49 ]. It was indicated that Cu-rich phases were favorable sites for the nucleation and gathering of He bubbles.…”

Atomistic insights of a chemical complexity effect on the irradiation resistance of high entropy alloys

“…Wang et al [29] studied the irradiation of CoCrCuFeNi HEA under different dose of He+ ion beam. Kumar et al [30] investigate the radiation resistance of CrFeMnNi and FeCrNi.…”

“…23,24 This could be attributed to their lattice distortion and sluggish diffusion effects, 25–28 which reduce the migration and diffusion of defects. Wang et al 29 studied the irradiation of CoCrCuFeNi HEA under different doses of He + ion beams. Kumar et al 30 investigated the radiation resistance of CrFeMnNi and FeCrNi.…”