About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Characterization of Minerals, Metals and Materials 2026 - In-Situ Characterization Techniques
|
| Presentation Title |
Nanoscale Phase Evolution and Ductility Enhancement in BCC High-Entropy Alloys through Spinodal Decomposition |
| Author(s) |
Emre Güneş, Eren Yunus Kalay |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Eren Yunus Kalay |
| Abstract Scope |
Spinodal decomposition is a promising strategy to enhance ductility in inherently brittle BCC high-entropy alloys (HEAs) by introducing nanoscale phase separation. In this study, a non-equimolar Al-V-Cr-Fe HEA was designed using CALPHAD and fabricated via arc melting, initially forming a homogeneous single-phase BCC microstructure confirmed by XRD and microscopy. Despite its uniformity, the as-cast alloy was brittle. Controlled heat treatments (1-12h) induced nanoscale spinodal decomposition (~20–40 nm), characterized by advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques (STEM, HRTEM) and selected area diffraction. In-situ observations showed the microstructure evolving from an interconnected labyrinthine network to chunkier phases with longer annealing, driven by interfacial energy minimization. Mechanical tests (microhardness, nanoindentation, compression) revealed that this tunable spinodal morphology significantly improved ductility while maintaining strength. These results establish a clear link between heat treatment-induced nanoscale phase evolution and mechanical property enhancement, demonstrating spinodal decomposition as an effective approach to overcome brittleness in BCC HEAs. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, High-Entropy Alloys, Phase Transformations |