No Arabic abstract
Magnetic high entropy alloys (HEAs) are a new category of high-performance magnetic materials, with multi-component concentrated compositions and complex multi-phase structures. Although there have been numerous reports of their interesting magnetic properties, there is very limited understanding about the interplay between their hierarchical multi-phase structures and their local magnetic structures. By employing high spatial resolution correlative magnetic, structural and chemical studies, we reveal the influence of a hierarchically decomposed B2 + A2 structure in an AlCo0.5Cr0.5FeNi HEA on the formation of magnetic vortex states within individual A2 (disordered BCC) precipitates, which are distributed in an ordered B2 matrix that is weakly ferromagnetic. Non-magnetic or weakly ferromagnetic B2 precipitates in large magnetic domains of the A2 phase, and strongly magnetic Fe-Co-rich interphase A2 regions, are also observed. These results provide important insight into the origin of coercivity in this HEA, which can be attributed to a complex magnetization process that includes the successive reversal of magnetic vortices.
We explore an opportunity to induce and control tetragonal distortion in materials. The idea involves formation of a binary alloy from parent compounds having body-centered and face-centered symmetries. The concept is illustrated in the case of FeNi$_{1-x}$Co$_x$ magnetic alloy formed by substitutional doping of the L1$_0$ FeNi magnet with Co. Using electronic structure calculations we demonstrate that the tetragonal strain in this system can be controlled by concentration and it reaches maximum for $x=0.5$. This finding is then applied to create a large magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MAE) in FeNi$_{1-x}$Co$_x$ system by considering an interplay of the tetragonal distortion with electronic concentration and chemical anisotropy. In particular, we identify a new ordered FeNi$_{0.5}$Co$_{0.5}$ system with MAE larger by a factor 4.5 from the L1$_0$ FeNi magnet.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) composed of multiple principal elements have been shown to offer improved radiation resistance over their elemental or dilute-solution counterparts. Using NiCoFeCrMn HEA as a model, here we introduce carbon and nitrogen interstitial alloying elements to impart chemical heterogeneities in the form of the local chemical order (LCO) and associated compositional variations. Density functional theory simulations predict chemical short-range order (CSRO) (nearest neighbors and the next couple of atomic shells) surrounding C and N, due to the chemical affinity of C with (Co, Fe) and N with (Cr, Mn). Atomic-resolution chemical mapping of the elemental distribution confirms marked compositional variations well beyond statistical fluctuations. Ni+ irradiation experiments at elevated temperatures demonstrate a remarkable reduction in void swelling by at least one order of magnitude compared to the base HEA without C and N alloying. The underlying mechanism is that the interstitial-solute-induced chemical heterogeneities roughen the lattice as well as the energy landscape, impeding the movements of, and constraining the path lanes for, the normally fast-moving self-interstitials and their clusters. The irradiation-produced interstitials and vacancies therefore recombine more readily, delaying void formation. Our findings thus open a promising avenue towards highly radiation-tolerant alloys.
The lattice dynamics for NiCo, NiFe, NiFeCo, NiFeCoCr, and NiFeCoCrMn medium to high entropy alloy have been investigated using the DFT calculation. The phonon dispersions along three different symmetry directions are calculated by the weighted dynamical matrix (WDM) approach and compared with the supercell approach and inelastic neutron scattering. We could correctly predict the trend of increasing of the vibrational entropy by adding the alloys and the highest vibrational entropy in NiFeCoCrMn high entropy alloy by WDM approach. The averaged first nearest neighbor (1NN) force constants between various pairs of atoms in these intermetallic are obtained from the WDM approach. The results are discussed based on the analysis of these data.
Segregation, precipitation, and phase separation in Fe-Cr systems is investigated. Monte Carlo simulations using semiempirical interatomic potential, first-principles total energy calculations, and experimental spectroscopy are used. In order to obtain a general picture of the relation of the atomic interactions and properties of Fe-Cr alloys in bulk, surface, and interface regions several complementary methods has to be used. Using Exact Muffin-Tin Orbitals method the effective chemical potential as a function of Cr content (0-15 at.% Cr) is calculated for a surface, second atomic layer and bulk. At ~10 at.% Cr in the alloy the reversal of the driving force of a Cr atom to occupy either bulk or surface sites is obtained. The Cr containing surfaces are expected when the Cr content exceeds ~10 at.%. The second atomic layer forms about 0.3 eV barrier for the migration of Cr atoms between bulk and surface atomic layer. To get information on Fe-Cr in larger scales we use semiempirical methods. Using combined Monte Carlo molecular dynamics simulations, based on semiempirical potential, the precipitation of Cr into isolated pockets in bulk Fe-Cr and the upper limit of the solubility of Cr into Fe layers in Fe/Cr layer system is studied. The theoretical predictions are tested using spectroscopic measurements. Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy investigations were carried out to explore Cr segregation and precipitation in Fe/Cr double layer and Fe_0.95Cr_0.05 and Fe_0.85Cr_0.15 alloys. Initial oxidation of Fe-Cr was investigated experimentally at 10^-8 Torr pressure of the spectrometers showing intense Cr_2O_3 signal. Cr segregation and the formation of Cr rich precipitates were traced by analysing the experimental spectral intensities with respect to annealing time, Cr content, and kinetic energy of the exited electron.
Multi-principal-element metallic alloys have created a growing interest that is unprecedented in metallurgical history, in exploring the property limits of metals and the governing physical mechanisms. Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) have drawn particular attention due to their (i) high melting points and excellent softening-resistance, which are the two key requirements for high-temperature applications; and (ii) compositional space, which is immense even after considering cost and recyclability restrictions. However, RHEAs also exhibit intrinsic brittleness and oxidation-susceptibility, which remain as significant challenges for their processing and application. Here, utilizing natural-mixing characteristics amongst refractory elements, we designed a Ti38V15Nb23Hf24 RHEA that exhibits >20% tensile ductility already at the as-cast state, and physicochemical stability at high-temperatures. Exploring the underlying deformation mechanisms across multiple length-scales, we observe that a rare beta prime precipitation strengthening mechanism governs its intriguing mechanical response. These results also reveal the effectiveness of natural-mixing tendencies in expediting HEA discovery.