Deformation and tribological behavior of ductile refractory high-entropy alloys

Abstract Refractory high-entropy alloys have attracted widespread attention as potential structural materials for high temperature applications. However, there is limited understanding of their high temperature deformation behavior and tribological response. Here, the temperature dependence of strain rate sensitivity and wear behavior was evaluated for two refractory high-entropy alloys, namely HfNbTiZr and HfNbTaTiZr. HfNbTaTiZr showed higher hardness, strength, and lower strain rate sensitivity compared to HfNbTiZr. The extrinsic strain rate sensitivity of both alloys obtained from micro-pillar compression was higher compared to the intrinsic values from nanoindentation due to the larger surface to volume ratio in micro-pillars leading to annihilation of dislocations and their easier movement. The decrease in strain rate sensitivity with increase in temperature was attributed to activation of both edge and screw dislocations as well as phonon drag controlled screw dislocation motion at high temperatures. Wear rate for both alloys increased with increase in sliding cycle frequency due to frictional heating. Wear rate also increased with increase in temperature from 298 K to 423 K and then decreased with further increase in temperature to 573 K. The underlying mechanism changed from abrasive wear at room temperature to extensive ploughing with fine wear debris at intermediate temperatures and oxidative wear at the higher temperatures.