Thermodynamic Rationalization of the Microstructures of CrFeNi & CuCrFeNi Alloys

In high entropy alloys (HEA) a disordered solid solution is entropically stabilized, in competition with possible intermediate compounds or phase segregation. It has been reported that disordered solid solutions are stabilized by the presence of five or more elements in the alloys; typically in an equimolar ratio. In the current investigation, the effect of Cu addition on the microstructure of CrFeNi alloy is rationalized by Gibbs free energy calculations. Two phase (both are FCC) solid solution are seen to form in CuCrFeNi alloy. The alloys are prepared by induction melting and are characterized by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (in as-cast and annealed state). Enthalpies of mixing were calculated using Miedema's model and the regular solution model. Entropy of mixing is determined by using the Boltzmann's hypothesis.