AA1050 metal matrix composites reinforced by high-entropy alloy particles via stir casting and subsequent rolling

Abstract AA1050 metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced by Al0.5CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy particles (HEAp) were prepared by stir casting and subsequent rolling (room temperature rolling (RTR) and cryorolling (CR)). The mechanical properties and microstructures of the AA1050−HEAp MMCs were studied. By adding 3 wt% HEAp, the ultimate tensile strength of the stir-casted AA1050−HEAp MMCs increased by 74.3% compared with AA1050. After rolling, the mechanical properties of the CR AA1050−HEAp MMCs were better than those obtained by RTR. The differences of the mechanical properties of the AA1050−HEAp MMCs obtained by CR and RTR increased with a higher rolling deformation and a lower mass fraction of HEAp. After RTR, there were various voids in AA1050−HEAp MMCs, which were not observed in CR MMCs through both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the effect of cryogenic temperature on microviods and mechanical properties of MMCs were discussed.