Effect of Al Addition on Microstructure and Properties of CoCrNi Medium-Entropy Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

Powder metallurgy possesses the advantages of low energy consumption, less material consumption, uniform composition, and near-final forming. In order to improve the mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation resistance of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA), CoCrNiAlX (X = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) MEAs were prepared using mechanical alloying (MA) and spark-plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of aluminum content on the microstructure and properties of the MEAs was investigated. The results show that the CoCrNi MEA is composed of face center cubic (fcc) phase and some carbides (Cr23C6). With the increase in Al content, there exists Al2O3 precipitation. When the Al content is increased to Al0.5 and Al0.7, the body center cubic (bcc) phase begins to precipitate. The addition of aluminum significantly enhances the properties of the alloys, especially those containing fcc+bcc dual-phase solid solutions. The yield strength, compressive strength, and hardness of CoCrNiAl0.7 alloy are as high as 2083 MPa, 2498 MPa, and 646 HV, respectively. The high-temperature resistance also reaches the oxidation resistance level. Different oxides include Cr2O3, Al2O3, and (Co, Ni) Cr2O4 and NiCrO3 spinel oxides formed on the surface of alloys. The formation of an Al2O3 oxidation film prevents the further erosion of the matrix by oxygen elements.