High-temperature deformation behaviour and processing map of near eutectic Al–Co–Cr–Fe–Ni alloy

The high-temperature deformation behaviour of near-eutectic high entropy alloy was studied at 800–1100 °C and 0.01–10 s−1. The microstructure of the as-cast alloy depicted a proeutectic L12 phase and epitaxially grown eutectic colonies of lamellar L12 and B2. Deformation temperature and strain rate played vital roles in defining the precipitation and deformation behaviour of the alloy. The lower-temperature deformed samples were characterized by extensive deformation twinning and strain accumulation. In contrast, high-temperature deformation led to uniform deformation with dynamic recrystallization, recovery, B2 lamellar fragmentation and B2 precipitation. The microstructure of the deformed samples corresponded well with the processing maps developed via dynamic materials model. The processing zones for the alloy were identified to be 800–950 °C and 10−2 – 10−1.25 s−1 as well as 925–1100 °C and 10−2 – 10−0.5 s−1. The critical material flow parameters displayed a complex relationship with temperature, strain rate and strain. In the studied temperature and strain rate regime, the critical strain rate was determined to be 0.1s−1. At strain rates above and below this value, the critical strain for recrystallization was higher. Within the studied temperature and strain rate regime, the near eutectic alloy displayed superior compressive strength and wider thermos-mechanical processing region than its eutectic counterpart.