Ultrastrong and ductile medium-entropy alloys via hierarchical ordering.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38809970.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adn7553 and PMC identifier 11135427.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Long-range ordered phases in most high-entropy and medium-entropy alloys (HEAs/MEAs) exhibit poor ductility, stemming from their brittle nature of complex crystal structure with specific bonding state. Here, we propose a design strategy to severalfold strengthen a single-phase face-centered cubic (fcc) Ni<sub>2</sub>CoFeV MEA by introducing trigonal κ and cubic L1<sub>2</sub> intermetallic phases via hierarchical ordering. The tri-phase MEA has an ultrahigh tensile strength exceeding 1.6 GPa and an outstanding ductility of 30% at room temperature, which surpasses the strength-ductility synergy of most reported HEAs/MEAs. The simultaneous activation of unusual dislocation multiple slip and stacking faults (SFs) in the κ phase, along with nano-SF networks, Lomer-Cottrell locks, and high-density dislocations in the coupled L1<sub>2</sub> and fcc phases, contributes to enhanced strain hardening and excellent ductility. This work offers a promising prototype to design super-strong and ductile structural materials by harnessing the hierarchical ordered phases.