Fundamental Effects of Al and Ta on Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Al-Cr-Mo-Ta-Ti Refractory Complex Concentrated Alloy System

The effect of aluminum and tantalum concentrations on a refractory metal complex concentrated alloy is reported, particularly with respect to their effect on microstructure and phase composition of the alloy in cast and annealed form. Alloys with an equiatomic composition, (AlCrMoTaTi), an aluminum-lean composition (Al0.75CrMoTaTi), and a tantalum-lean composition (AlCrMoTa0.75Ti) are produced via arc melting. The alloys exhibit multiphase structures, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, microstructural characterization, and thermal analysis. The minor off-equiatomic adjustments of aluminum and tantalum in this alloy system did not drastically alter the prevalence of the Cr-Ta-based Laves phase. Correlations between thermodynamic predictions and observed phase transformations via thermal analysis are improved upon refinement of calculations removing impractical intermediate phases. Experimental findings provide information for the refinement of thermodynamic modeling and deliver additional insight into the optimization of alloy compositions within this five-component system.