Strength-ductility Synergy and Grain Refinement Mechanisms in a Co-Cr-Ni Medium-Entropy Alloy with Novel Analogous Harmonic Structure

A novel strategy is implemented to enhance the strength-ductility synergy in the Co-Cr-Ni-based medium-entropy alloy (MEA) by designing analogous harmonic structures (AHS), where the soft face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix is surrounded by hard multiphase constitutes. The high yield strength of 1028 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 1558 MPa coupled with considerable uniform elongation of 20% are achieved for the AHS-MEA. Upon uniaxial tension, a large number of the nanograins appear in the core near the interface meanwhile the hard & sigma; precipitates are penetrated by the mobile dislocations in the shell. A finite-element based model is developed to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying microstructure evolution during plastic deformation. Similar to the equal channel angular pressing/extrusion and high pressure torsion, the coexistence of large tensile hydrostatic stresses and shear stresses plays a crucial role in the grain refinement. The study provides new insights into the nanocrystalline formation mechanism and excellent strength-ductility synergy.