Composition-dependent transformation-induced plasticity in Co-based complex concentrated alloys

While the mechanically-induced martensitic transformation and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effects have various known benefits, transformation of blocky martensite can also accelerate ductile damage nucleation and growth. Some complex-concentrated alloys (CCAs) with negative stacking-fault energy (SFE) demonstrate a rare faulting plasticity behavior with high strain hardening capability, that sets them apart from conventional low, positive SFE alloys that exhibit the TRIP effect. This study investigates the influence of dilute nitrogen on the TRIP mechanisms in a Co-rich CoCrNi CCA, and reveals, among other findings, that nitrogen interstitials can effectively reduce the extension of stacking faults and deformation-induced phase transformation, resulting in higher strain hardenability at early deformation levels and ductility. Thermodynamic calculations are coupled to various experimental analyses based on atom-probe tomography, scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, electron-channeling contrast imaging, in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and stress relaxation testing, to explore the origins of the observation. This work provides insights into the future design of CCAs with desirable TRIP, faulting plasticity, and mechanical properties.