Hardness Enhancement in CoCrFeNi1−x(WC)x High-Entropy Alloy Thin Films Synthesised by Magnetron Co-Sputtering
Source abstract
Abstract
We demonstrate the systematic hardness enhancement of the CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) by the addition of tungsten carbide (WC). Mixed thin films are fabricated by magnetron co-sputtering using a home-made spark plasma-sintered CoCrFeNi target and a commercially available WC target. The WC content in the thin films is adjusted via the ratio of deposition powers applied to the targets. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements were taken to determine the surface and bulk stoichiometry, respectively. The uniform distribution of the elements is confirmed via EDX mapping. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is carried out on the samples to determine the crystal phase formation. The Vickers hardness of the thin films is investigated using nanoindentation and shows an increase in the hardness in the thin films following an increased WC content. The data obtained are presented in comparison to pure WC and CoCrFeNi thin films fabricated by magnetron sputtering, respectively.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: High Entropy Alloys Studies · High-Temperature Coating Behaviors · Advanced materials and composites
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, TU Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), TU Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Funding
Development Bank of Saxony
References (29)
Show source-provided references
1. Nanostructured High-Entropy Alloys with Multiple Principal Elements: Novel Alloy Design Concepts and Outcomes10.1002/adem.200300567 ↗
2. Microstructural development in equiatomic multicomponent alloys10.1016/j.msea.2003.10.257 ↗
3. A critical review of high entropy alloys and related concepts10.1016/j.actamat.2016.08.081 ↗
4. Effect of alloying elements on microstructure and properties of multiprincipal elements high-entropy alloys10.1016/j.jallcom.2008.07.124 ↗
5. Microstructure and mechanical property of as-cast, -homogenized, and -deformed AlxCoCrFeNi (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) high-entropy alloys10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.08.090 ↗
6. Processing and characterization of a multibeam sputtered nanocrystalline CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy film10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.125465 ↗
7. Shi, Y., Yang, B., and Liaw, P. (2017). Corrosion-Resistant High-Entropy Alloys: A Review. Metals, 7.10.3390/met7020043 ↗
8. Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of CoCrFeNiW (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5) high entropy alloys10.1016/j.intermet.2019.106550 ↗
9. Fazakas, E., Varga, B., Geantă, V., Berecz, T., Jenei, P., Voiculescu, I., Coșniță, M., and Ștefănoiu, R. (2019). Microstructure, Thermal, and Corrosion Behavior of the AlAgCuNiSnTi Equiatomic Multicomponent Alloy. Materials, 12.10.3390/ma12060926 ↗
10. A fracture-resistant high-entropy alloy for cryogenic applications10.1126/science.1254581 ↗
11. Adhesive wear behavior of AlxCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloys as a function of aluminum content10.1016/j.wear.2005.12.008 ↗
12. Effects of Hf on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.154159 ↗
13. Effects of Ta addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy10.1016/j.matchemphys.2017.05.056 ↗
14. Effect of carbon addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy10.1007/s11431-017-9134-6 ↗
15. Microstructures and wear behaviour of (FeCoCrNi)1−x(WC)x high entropy alloy composites10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2018.03.019 ↗
16. Bauccio, M. (1994). ASM Engineering Materials Reference Book, Taylor & Francis. [2nd ed.].
17. Xu, J., Wang, S., Shang, C., Huang, S., and Wang, Y. (2018). Microstructure and Properties of CoCrFeNi(WC) High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared Using Mechanical Alloying and Hot Pressing Sintering. Coatings, 9.10.3390/coatings9010016 ↗
18. Schwarz, H., Uhlig, T., Rösch, N., Lindner, T., Ganss, F., Hellwig, O., Lampke, T., Wagner, G., and Seyller, T. (2021). CoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy Thin Films Synthesised by Magnetron Sputter Deposition from Spark Plasma Sintered Targets. Coatings, 11.10.3390/coatings11040468 ↗
19. Design and Characterization of Self-Lubricating Refractory High Entropy Alloy-Based Multilayered Films10.1021/acsami.1c16949 ↗
20. Hardness measurements of thin films10.1016/0040-6090(84)90123-8 ↗
21. WSXM: A software for scanning probe microscopy and a tool for nanotechnology10.1063/1.2432410 ↗
22. Crystallography Open Database – an open-access collection of crystal structures10.1107/S0021889809016690 ↗
23. Energy dependence of the ion-induced sputtering yields of monatomic solids10.1016/0092-640X(84)90016-0 ↗
24. Reactive and non-reactive high rate sputter deposition of Tungsten carbide10.1016/0040-6090(87)90137-4 ↗
25. Atomic Screening Constants from SCF Functions. II. Atoms with 37 to 86 Electrons10.1063/1.1712084 ↗
26. High-throughput synthesis and corrosion behavior of sputter-deposited nanocrystalline Al (CoCrFeNi)100- combinatorial high-entropy alloys10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109018 ↗
27. High Temperature Hardness of WC, TiC, TaC, NbC and Their Mixed Carbides10.2497/jjspm.12.78 ↗
28. The nanoindentation behaviour of hard and soft films on silicon substrates10.1016/j.tsf.2004.03.006 ↗
29. STM profilometry of low-load Vickers indentations in a silicon crystal10.1088/0022-3727/25/3/025 ↗