The effects of mechanical alloying on the physical and thermal properties of CuCrFeTiV alloy

Abstract The present work reports the production and key properties of the CuCrFeTiV high entropy alloy synthetized by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. The milled powders and the as-sintered samples were analysed through scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and particle induced X-ray emission. Magnetic properties together with electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat and differential thermal analysis were also evaluated on the consolidated samples. The powders reveal an increasing content in iron as the millings are prolonged up to 20 h. The elemental composition of the sintered alloy, determined through particle induced X-ray emission, confirms the final composition after mechanical alloying with an increase of iron and a decrease in the remaining elements. Furthermore, although the alloy presents an electrical resistivity typical of a high entropy alloy, a ferromagnetic behaviour was found, consistently with a major Fe content as detected in prior observations. Finally, thermal measurements show that this CuCrFeTiV high entropy alloy possesses thermal properties suitable for its potential use as thermal barriers.