Optimization of tensile properties and anisotropy in a cryogenically treated laser additively manufactured high entropy alloy

Repetitive deep cryogenic soaking treatment (DCT) of laser metal deposition (LMD) processed CrMnFeCoNi high entropy alloy (HEA) significantly enhances its strength without compromising ductility. This is attributed to the compressive stress induced nanotwin formation, which in turn facilitates twin induced plasticity. In this work, a parametric study on the effect of the residual stress profile and the DCT cycles on the tensile properties of the HEA, along the build and scan directions is conducted. Towards this end, builds fabricated with 5 different laser powers, 1100, 1400, 1700, 2000 and 2300 W, are examined and the ones with highest and lowest residual stress gradient are considered for further DCT treatments. Results indicate that the build fabricated with 1400 W laser power, which has the highest gradient in initial residual stresses, exhibits a greater enhancement in dislocation and twin density with increasing number of DCT treatments. Compared to its as-built state the peak yield and tensile strength of the HEA (along the scanning direction) increases to 592 ± 13 and 778 ± 15 MPa, without significant decrease in its ductility after 12 DCT cycles. However, the enhancement in the dislocation, twin density and therefore, the strength, is minimal after it is treated to 15 DCT cycles. Anisotropy in both strength and ductility, which is of the order of 20-25 %, is also observed in the DCT treated builds along the build and scan directions. These observations were rationalized on the basis of dislocation and twin evolution and distribution during DCT and deformation of the build when deformed in different directions. Implications of these results in the context of employing DCT for strengthening LMD fabricated HEA components are discussed.