Effects of the elemental composition of high-entropy filler metals on the mechanical properties of dissimilar metal joints between stainless steel and low carbon steel

Abstract Owing to the cocktail effect in high-entropy alloys, a good combination of strength and toughness of a welded joint could be theoretically achieved, by modifying the elemental composition of the filler metals with a high-entropy design. However, few studies have concentrated on this issue so far. In the present study, multi-component mixed powders of (CrMnFe)x(CoNi)y, with five types of the content ratios of the body-centered cube (BCC) and face-centered cube (FCC) forming elements, were used as filler metals to achieve dissimilar welding between 304 stainless steel and Q235 carbon steel by laser deposition welding. By comparative analysis of the microstructures and mechanical properties of the dissimilar joints, the effects of an elemental composition factor of μ (μ = x/y) on the hardness, tensile and bending properties of the dissimilar joints were explored. It was found that the elemental composition of mixed powders had an impact on the mechanical properties of dissimilar joints. Too high or too low content of BCC/FCC forming elements in filler metals cannot promote the appropriate mechanical properties. As an increase in the content of BCC forming elements, the hardness in weld zones was significantly increased, especially for the mixed powders with a high value of μ (≥7/3). The powders of (CrMnFe)5(CoNi)5 resulted in the best comprehensive mechanical properties of the dissimilar joint.