Effects of Cerium Doping on the Mechanical Properties and Energy-Releasing Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys

Energetic structural materials play an important role in improving the damage performance of future weapons. To improve the energy-releasing behavior, Al(0.5)NbZrTi(1.5)Ta(0.8)Ce(x) high-entropy alloys were prepared by vacuum-arc melting. The results showed the presence of BCC and FCC phases in the alloy with dendritic-morphology-element segregation and there were significant dislocations in the alloys. The current study focused on the effects of cerium content on the dynamic compressive mechanical and energetic characteristics. Cerium doping enhanced the energy-releasing characteristics of high-entropy alloys. The severity of the reaction increased with the increase in the cerium content, while the dynamic compressive strength generally decreased with the increase in cerium content. The Al(0.5)NbZrTi(1.5)Ta(0.8)Ce(0.25) showed excellent mechanical and energy-releasing characteristics. The ballistic experiments indicated that Al(0.5)NbZrTi(1.5)Ta(0.8)Ce(0.25) can penetrate 6-millimeter A(3) plates and ignite the cotton behind the target at a velocity of 729 m/s, making it an ideal energetic structural material.