Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrB2 ceramic particle reinforced AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloy composite materials prepared by spark plasma sintering

In this study, xZrB2-AlCoCrFeNi (x = 0,5,10,15) (wt%) based high entropy alloy (HEA) composites were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The influence of ceramic particle ZrB2 content on the densification behavior, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical performance testing. The results indicate that the HEA composites undergo a phase transformation, from (FCC + BCC + B2) structure to (FCC + BCC + B2+Laves) structure with the addition of ZrB2. The incorporation of ZrB2 facilitates the emergence of the Cr precipitate phase, and the grain size of this phase enlarges as the ZrB2 content rises. Additionally, when the ZrB2 content is 10 %, the maximum compressive strength reached 2071 MPa. Furthermore, at the ZrB2 content of 15 %, the composite material achieves a maximum densification of 99.13 % and a maximum hardness of 1222.2 HV. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.