Effect of Microstructure and Performance of Nb–Cr–Fe–Ni Quaternary Alloys with the Variation of Niobium Element Content

Owing to the distinctive and designable properties of high-entropy alloys (HEAs), many researchers have been engrossed in studying them. The CrFeNiNb x ( x is the molar ratio; x = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8) alloys were prepared using vacuum arc melting furnace equipment to study the impact of Nb content on microstructure, processing performance, and corrosion resistance. Laves primary phase and eutectic structure phase were obtained. And the area of the Laves primary structure, which was rich in Nb, was amplified when the alloy's percentage of Nb was supplemented. The Nb4 alloy ( x = 0.4) exhibited a range of satisfactory mechanical properties, including a hardness of 422.3 HV, a compressive stress of 2355 MPa, and a compressive strain of 26.33%. Cracks formed around the Laves phase during electrochemical corrosion experimentation, and the alloy passivation film's breakdown potential was approximately 1.0 V.