Nano-graining a particle-strengthened high-entropy alloy

Abstract The possibility of further enhancing the strength of a (CoCrFeNi) 94 Ti 2 Al 4 high-entropy alloy (HEA), which is already strengthened by Ni 3 (Ti,Al) second-phase particles, by grain refinement through high-pressure torsion (HPT) is examined. Concomitant with nanograin formation, HPT was found to induce particle dissolution and structural transformation of the remnant particles. Nanoindentation experiments of nanocrystalline HEA, with and without particles in the pre-HPT microstructure, suggests that grain boundary strengthening is the dominant strengthening mechanism.