Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Specific-Strength (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) Refractory High-Entropy Alloys

With the increasing demand for high-specific-strength materials for high-temperature applications, particularly in the aerospace field, novel (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) were developed. The phase formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties were studied. The (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) RHEAs exhibit a relatively high specific strength and low density compared with the W-containing RHEAs and most of the W-free RHEAs. In (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) RHEAs, Laves, BCC and Ti-rich phases are formed, where the Laves phase is the major phase, and the volume fraction of the BCC phase increases with increasing W content. (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) RHEAs exhibit dendrite structures, where W is enriched in the dendrite region, and increasing W-rich precipitations corresponding to the BCC phase are observed. The improvement of the strength and hardness of RHEAs is mainly attributed to the evolution of the microstructure and corresponding strengthening effect of W. The empirical parameters and calculated phase diagram were investigated, which further explain and verify the formation and variation of phases. The present findings give more insights into the formation of multi phases in (TiVCrZr)(100−x)W(x) RHEAs, and explore their application potential in the aerospace industry and nuclear reactors due to their high specific strength and low-activation constituent elements.