Compositional design of CrMnFeCoNi multicomponent alloys based on solid-solution strengthening predictions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This work employed an integrated alloy-design strategy combining theoretical modeling, compositional optimization, and experimental validation, aiming to develop Cr- and Ni-rich multicomponent alloys with enhanced solid solution strengthening. Three quinary alloys (in at%), Cr35Mn5Fe5Co5Ni50 (alloy “A”), Cr42Mn6Fe6Co6Ni40 (alloy “B”), and Cr42Mn5Fe5Co9Ni39 (alloy “C”), were designed using CALPHAD thermodynamic calculations and solid-solution strengthening models to achieve strength levels comparable to those of the ternary, reference alloy, Cr45Co27.5Ni27.5 (alloy “R”), one of the toughest FCC solid solutions known up to date. The compositions were initially designed to form single-phase FCC solid solutions. However, two of the newly developed compositions, namely alloys B and C, exhibited a multiphase microstructure consisting of an FCC matrix with a small fraction of a BCC phase. The theoretical predictions were experimentally validated through microstructural and mechanical characterization, revealing good agreement in the predicted FCC matrix, while the experimentally observed BCC phase in alloys B and C highlighted limitations in predicting phase stability. Consistent with these microstructural differences, the FCC grain sizes varied markedly among the annealed alloys, with average values of 210 ± 96 μm and 90 ± 35 μm for alloys A and R, respectively, while significantly finer grains were obtained for alloys B (7 ± 3 μm) and C (11 ± 4 μm). This microstructural refinement was accompanied by an increase in yield strength, which reached about 430 MPa for alloy B and 410 MPa for alloy C, compared to 240 MPa and 315 MPa for alloys A and R, resulting in a promising combination of microstructural refinement and mechanical strength for alloys B and C. The present results provide new insights into the design of multicomponent alloys within the CrMnFeCoNi system, highlighting the role of composition and processing in controlling their microstructure and mechanical performance.
Language: English
Topic: High Entropy Alloys Studies
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Awards: G1110730382, G1784538605, G1837233836, G2299535993, G2435308956, G4582990465, G5187279995, DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MODELO DE MECANISMO DE DEFORMAÇÃO PARA EXPLICAR A RELAÇÃO DE HALL-PETCH, G6617763151, Integrated Computational Materials Engineering ICME: applied to modeling, production, characterization and testing high entropy alloys, G935664095
OpenAlex ID: W7204491423