Abstract
In this study, high entropy alloys have been developed toward high temperature applications. According to the most widely used high temperature material superalloys, the microstructure of face-centered cubic (FCC) γ matrix with uniformly distributed L12 γ′ precipitates implies the more balanced high temperature strength and ductility. So, the thermal stability and strength of highly alloyed Ni3Al were studied initially. The strengthening effect on developing a γ′ composition toward higher entropy is significant, due to higher anti-phase boundary energy of the order phase. However, the order-disorder transition temperature would be decreased with the more random atomic distribution in γ′ lattice. The microstructure stability of the γ - γ′ alloys with medium to high mixing entropy were then studied. It was found that the high temperature alloys cannot be solely designed by entropy term, but should also enhance the ordering enthalpy of γ′ phase, to avoid lowering the thermal stability of γ′ phase. Through alloy designs, we have also found that present alloys are quite different from the conventional Ni-, Co- or Fe-based alloy design, but is within a range of stable (Ni, Co, Fe)-rich system. This composition space has rarely been studied through the development of superalloys. In addition, such highly-soluted (Ni-Co-Fe) matrix can exhibit an enlarged solubility of alloying contents, while remains good phase stability till high temperatures. Therefore, they have been named as high entropy superalloys (HESA). Since grain boundaries might be drawbacks to the thermal properties, HESAs have been successfully casted into the directionally-solidified (DS) structure by Bridgeman method. In terms of the high temperature mechanical properties, HESAs can exhibit comparable high temperature hardness, tensile strength and creep resistance to that of commercial superalloys due to the stable γ - γ′ microstructure, high volume fraction of γ′ precipitates, high anti-phase boundary energy for γ′ strengthening and low stacking fault energy to hinder dislocation climb. Good surface stability of HESA in high temperature oxidizing and corrosive environments were also demonstrated, which can be attributed to the rapid formation of continuous Chromia or Alumina for surface protection. Furthermore, with less alloying of refractory elements, HESAs exhibit the apparent advantages in lower density and cost of materials. Nevertheless, there are still concerns such as the directional coarsening of γ′ for HESAs cannot contribute to the creep resistance, and the strength of γ matrix is still lower than that of superalloys. As a result, further rooms for composition optimization of HESA exist. To summary, the novel high entropy superalloys are with unique composition, good thermal properties and improved cost-performance, thus can be promising as a new type of high temperature alloy.