Microstructure and texture evolution during annealing of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2014-02, Vol.587, p.544-552
• Main Authors: Bhattacharjee, P P, Sathiaraj, G D, Zaid, M, Gatti, J R, Lee, Chi, Tsai, Che-Wei, Yeh, Jien-Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annealing; Austenitic stainless steels; Brasses; Cold rolling; Deformation; Evolution; Microstructure; Surface layer; Texture
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/jjallcom.2013.10.237

Evolution of microstructure and texture after heavy cold rolling and subsequent annealing in a wide temperature range was first studied in an FCC equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA). Development of a submicron-cell structure and a strong brass-type texture was observed after 90% cold rolling. An ultrafine microstructure having average recrystallized grain size ~1 [mu]m with profuse annealing twins was observed after annealing at 650 [degrees]C. Remarkable resistance against grain coarsening was observed at least up to 800 [degrees]C. The mechanisms for these features were closely related with the distinct whole-solute matrix in HEAs. The recrystallization texture was characterized by the retention of deformation texture components similar to those of TWIP and 316 stainless steels. But notable differences exist. The S ({123}634)) component is stronger than brass ({110}(112)) and Goss ({110}(001)), and strengthened with increasing annealing temperatures. Strong [is proportional to]-fiber ((110)//ND) components other than the deformation components B sub(s) and G, and higher fraction of random components also develop. It could be attributed to profuse annealing twin formation due to the low stacking fault energy of the alloy.