Scientific Achievement
Confirming theoretical predictions, Short-Range Order (SRO) domains were observed in a medium entropy alloy by using energy-filtered TEM and were directly correlated with enhanced mechanical properties.
Significance and Impact
Provides a new avenue for tuning the mechanical properties of Medium and High Entropy Alloys by tailoring the degree of SRO through thermomechanical processing.
Research Details
- CrCoNi alloys were subjected to different thermal treatments: (1) ice-water quenched, (2) aged at 1000 °C and slowly cooled
- Aged samples showed strong diffuse scattering from which dark-field images could be formed to reveal the SRO domain clusters
- The impact of SRO on the alloys’ mechanical properties were determined via bulk tensile tests, nanoindentation and diffraction contrast scanning TEM.
