Process Optimization and Wearing Characterization of As-Cast and Heat-Treated Cocrfemnni(Alx) High Entropy Alloy

This study aims to study a CoCrFeMnNi(Alx) High Entropy Alloy (HEA) with high wear resistance produced by standard induction melting from scrap and ferroalloys. To the HEA base alloy, Al was added to promote a decrease in grain size and improve the final wearing properties The thermal treatment (TT) was optimized to increase the solubility of alloying elements at 1,100ºC for 36 hours and immediately water cooling. The coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate values are like those obtained from pure metals and with multiple remelting phases by vacuum arc melting. Adding Al in the alloy promotes a decrease in hardness and COF, and an increase in wear rate values, which is anomalous in metals. TT increases hardness and decreases COF and wear rate. The study of samples explains the abnormal behavior by the finer microstructure in Al as-cast samples and the presence of more precipitates in TT samples. The obtained processes and alloys can have future use in automotive or energy applications.