Friction-stir welding of a ductile high entropy alloy: microstructural evolution and weld strength

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a novel subset of metallic systems with complex compositions usually yielding simple phase formation. To verify their potential engineering applications, a novel Co16Fe28Ni28Cr28 HEA with a low content of expensive Co was developed and its welding characteristics through friction-stir welding (FSW) were investigated. The HEA shows a stable face-centered-cubic (FCC) structure with an excellent ductility of about 70%. The microstructural evolution during FSW was dominated by discontinuous recrystallization through grain bulging and the B/B¯ {112}<110> shear texture formed in the stir zone (SZ). A white band (WB) containing W-rich and Cr-rich phases was detected in the SZ. The WB exhibited refined grains compared with the normal SZ, which may be associated with the particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN). The present understanding of the microstructural evolution during FSW of HEAs may help tailor the weld properties to pave the way for their engineering applications.