TiVCrNiZrFex High entropy alloy: Phase evolution,magnetic and mechanical properties

Abstract A series of TiVCrNiZrFex (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) high entropy alloys were synthesized via vacuum arc melting route and phase evolution in the alloy system was examined in the present study. With an increase in the Fe concentration, the phase changes from pure C14 Laves to a mixed (major body-centered + C14 Laves) phase.Interestingly, the lattice contraction takes place with an increase in Fe content. The C14 Laves phase reveals the paramagnetic nature, which changes to a dual magnetic phase, as the volume fraction of the Laves phase decreases due to the addition of Fe. The addition of Fe also significantly reduces the hardness, while the opposite trend is observed for elastic modulus. Several thermodynamical and topological parameters were estimated to establish their crucial role in controlling the Laves phase formation in the multicomponent systems. Notably, a new parameter, Mendeleev number difference (∆M), was introduced and discussed in the light of the present investigation. The results show that ∆M can prove to be quite useful for predicting the formation of type (FCC, BCC or HCP/Laves) of solid solution as well as designing the new HEA systems.