Microstructure and mechanical properties of FeCoCrNiMn high-entropy alloy produced by mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing sintering

FeCoCrNiMn high-entropy alloys were produced by mechanical alloying (MA) and vacuum hot pressing sintering (VHPS). Results showed that the nano-crystalline alloy powders were obtained by MA and the corresponding phase structures were composed of FCC matrices and low amounts of BCC and amorphous phases. After VHPS, the BCC phases almost disappeared, simultaneously with the precipitation of sigma phases and M23C6 carbides. An increase of sintering temperature resulted in grain growth of the precipitated phases. As the sintering temperature was increased from 700 to 1000 degrees C, the strain-to-failure of the alloys rose from 4.4% to 38.2%, whereas the yield strength decreased from 1682 to 774 MPa. The bulk FeCoCrNiMn HEAs, consolidated by VHPS at 800 degrees C and 900 degrees C for 1 h, showed relatively good combination of strength and ductility.