Simultaneous enhancement in strength and ductility of Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 high-entropy alloy via nitrogen alloying

The effect of nitrogen on microstructural evolution and tensile properties of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 HEAs was investigated. Nitrogen was fully introduced in solid solution by pressure-induced melting technique. Nitrogen addition turned the TRIP alloy to a twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) alloy, and simultaneously improved the strength and elongation. For the nitrogen-doped HEA, the high yield strength is mainly resulted from the friction stress via interstitial strengthening effect, and the high ductility is originated from retained high strain-hardening capability via the successive onset of dislocation accumulation and deformation twinning. The strain-hardening behavior and microstructural evolution at specified strains were revealed. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

Nitrogen was found to transform the TRIP alloy into a TWIP alloy, leading to improved strength and elongation. The nitrogen-doped HEA exhibited high yield strength due to the interstitial strengthening effect and high ductility from the retained strain-hardening capability.