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NiAl–Cr–Mo–W High-Entropy Systems Microstructural Verification, Solidification Considerations and Sliding Wear Response

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Abstract

Three new high-entropy alloys of the Ni–Al–Cr–Mo–W system were produced by vacuum arc melting and assessed concerning their microstructure and sliding wear resistance. The NiAl content was kept constant at 60 at.%, and three alloys, namely NiAl–25Cr–7.5Mo–7.5W, NiAl–20Cr–10Mo–10W and NiAl–15Cr–12.5Mo–12.5W, were investigated by changing the relative ratios between Cr–Mo–W. All microstructures were found to consist of primary phases, eutectic microconstituent, a small amount of Al–Cr-based intermetallic phases and precipitated phases after spinodal decomposition. Adiabatic conditions, originated from the presence of tungsten with the highest melting point and its leading role in the initiation of solidification, were proved to affect the extent and morphology of features like the eutectic microconstituent. In particular, higher concentrations of W–Mo caused more powerful adiabatic conditions and, thus, thicker eutectic growing radially in a partitioning mode. The sliding wear response of the produced system seems to follow the classical sliding wear laws of Archard. This behaviour is further supported by multiple factors, such as the nature of the oxide phases being formed upon sliding and the integrity and rigidity of the interface between the primary and secondary phases.

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Funding

This research is co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) through the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning” in the context of the project “Strengthening Human Resources Research Potential via Doctorate Research” (MIS-5000432), implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation (ΙΚΥ).

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  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    C. Mathiou, K. Giorspyros, E. Georgatis, A. Poulia, A. Avgeropoulos & A. E. Karantzalis

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Mathiou, C., Giorspyros, K., Georgatis, E. et al. NiAl–Cr–Mo–W High-Entropy Systems Microstructural Verification, Solidification Considerations and Sliding Wear Response. Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 11, 7–20 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-021-00816-9

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