SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with CoMoMnNiV high-entropy alloy

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Metalcasting Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, the Al7075 metal matrix composite was reinforced with different weight percentages (HEA content 0–8 wt%; interval of 2) of CoMoMnNiV high entropy alloy (HEA) was processed by an ultrasonic vibrator-coupled stir casting route. The mechanical alloying technique was employed to prepare high-entropy alloy metallic powder. The developed composite was examined for microstructural and mechanical behaviour. The phase evolution and microstructure of HEA particles and composites were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. An optical microscopic examination was carried out to investigate grain size and reinforcement dispersion over the matrix materials. The mechanical properties of composites improved significantly with HEAp content and attained maximum value for a composite with 6 wt% HEAp content. The hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the 6 wt% HEAp composite improved by 40% and 53%, respectively, as compared with as-cast Al7075 alloy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

The reported work will be available at the personal request of the author.

References

  1. P. Ajay Kumar, P. Rohatgi, D. Weiss, 50 years of foundry-produced metal matrix composites and future opportunities. Int. J. Metalcast. 14(2), 291–317 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-019-00375-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. M. Imran, A.R.A. Khan, Characterization of Al-7075 metal matrix composites: a review. J. Mater. Res. Technol. 8(3), 3347 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. R.P. Barot, R.P. Desai, M.P. Sutaria, Recycling of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs): a review and the way forward. Int. J. Metalcast. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-022-00905-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. M. Zuo, M. Sokoluk, C. Cao, J. Yuan, S. Zheng, X. Li, Microstructure control and performance evolution of aluminum alloy 7075 by nano-treating. Sci. Rep. 9(1), 1 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. J. Li, Y. Li, F. Wang, X. Meng, L. Wan, Z. Dong, Y. Huang, Friction stir processing of high-entropy alloy reinforced aluminum matrix composites for mechanical properties enhancement. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 792(June), 139755 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Z. Zhang, T. Top**, Y. Li, R. Vogt, Y. Zhou, C. Haines, J. Paras, D. Kapoor, J.M. Schoenung, E.J. Lavernia, Mechanical behavior of ultrafine-grained Al composites reinforced with B4C nanoparticles. Scr. Mater. 65(8), 652 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. W.W. Zhang, Y. Hu, Z. Wang, C. Yang, G.Q. Zhang, K.G. Prashanth, C. Suryanarayana, A novel high-strength Al-based nanocomposite reinforced with Ti-based metallic glass nanoparticles produced by powder metallurgy. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 734(February), 34 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S. Scudino, K.B. Surreddi, S. Sager, M. Sakaliyska, J.S. Kim, W. Löser, J. Eckert, Production and mechanical properties of metallic glass-reinforced Al-based metal matrix composites. J. Mater. Sci. 43(13), 4518 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. D. Yadav, R. Bauri, A. Kauffmann, J. Freudenberger, Al-Ti particulate composite: processing and studies on particle twinning, microstructure, and thermal stability. Metall. Mater. Trans. A 47(8), 4226 (2016)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. G.Q. Huang, Y.F. Yan, J. Wu, Y.F. Shen, A.P. Gerlich, Microstructure and mechanical properties of fine-grained aluminum matrix composite reinforced with nitinol shape memory alloy particulates produced by underwater friction stir processing. J. Alloy. Compd. 786, 257 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. J. Leng, G. Wu, Q. Zhou, Z. Dou, X.L. Huang, Mechanical properties of SiC/Gr/Al composites fabricated by squeeze casting technology. Scr. Mater. 59(6), 619 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Slipenyuk, V. Kuprin, Y. Milman, V. Goncharuk, J. Eckert, Properties of P/M processed particle reinforced metal matrix composites specified by reinforcement concentration and matrix-to-reinforcement particle size ratio. Acta Mater. 54(1), 157 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Lu, W. Chen, Z. Li, T. He, B. Li, R. Li, Z. Fu, S. Scudino, J. Alloy. Compd. 801, 473 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Z.G. Xu, L.T. Jiang, Q. Zhang, J. Qiao, D. Gong, G.H. Wu, The design of a novel neutron shielding B4C/Al composite containing Gd. Mater. Des. 111, 375 (2016)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. T. Lu, S. Scudino, W. Chen, P. Wang, D. Li, M. Mao, L. Kang, Y. Liu, Z. Fu, The influence of nanocrystalline CoNiFeAl0.4Ti0.6Cr0.5 high-entropy alloy particles addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCp/7075Al composites. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 726(April), 126 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. T. Lu, W. Chen, W. Xu, P. Wang, M. Mao, Y. Liu, Z. Fu, The effects of Cr particles addition on the aging behavior and mechanical properties of SiCp/7075Al composites. Mater. Charact. 136(December 2017), 264 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Scudino, G. Liu, K.G. Prashanth, B. Bartusch, K.B. Surreddi, B.S. Murty, J. Eckert, Mechanical properties of Al-based metal matrix composites reinforced with Zr-based glassy particles produced by powder metallurgy. Acta Mater. 57(6), 2029 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. E. Ananiadis, K.T. Argyris, T.E. Matikas, A.K. Sfikas, A.E. Karantzalis, Microstructure and corrosion performance of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with refractory high-entropy alloy particulates. Appl. Sci. (Switz.) 11(3), 1 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  19. V. Pandian, S. Kannan, Effect of high entropy particle on aerospace-grade aluminium composite developed through combined mechanical supersonic vibration and squeeze infiltration technique. J. Manuf. Process. 74(July 2021), 383 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. A. Kumar, A. Singh, A. Suhane, Synthesis and characterization of a novel CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy-reinforced AA6082 composite. J. Mater. Res. 37, 2961–2978 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. B. Schuh, F. Mendez-Martin, B. Völker, E.P. George, H. Clemens, R. Pippan, A. Hohenwarter, Mechanical properties, microstructure and thermal stability of a nanocrystalline CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy after severe plastic deformation. Acta Mater. 96, 258 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. S. **a, Z. **a, D. Zhao, Y. **e, X. Liu, L. Wang, Microstructure formation mechanism and corrosion behavior of FeCrCuTiV two-phase high entropy alloy prepared by different processes. Fusion Eng. Des. 172(April), 112792 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. M.-H. Tsai, C.-W. Wang, C.-W. Tsai, W.-J. Shen, J.-W. Yeh, J.-Y. Gan, W.-W. Wu, Thermal stability and performance of NbSiTaTiZr high-entropy alloy barrier for copper metallization. J. Electrochem. Soc. 158(11), H1161 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. A. Kumar, A. Singh, A. Suhane, Mechanically alloyed high entropy alloys: existing challenges and opportunities. J. Mater. Res. Technol. 17, 2431 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. W. Chen, Z. Li, T. Lu, T. He, R. Li, B. Li, B. Wan, Z. Fu, S. Scudino, Effect of ball milling on microstructure and mechanical properties of 6061Al matrix composites reinforced with high-entropy alloy particles. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 762(July), 138116 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. G. Kumaresan, B. Arul Kumar, Investigations on mechanical properties of micro- and nano-particulates (Al2O3/B4C) reinforced in Al 7075 matrix composite. Int. J. Metalcast. 16, 1932–1939 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A. Kumar, A. Singh, A. Suhane, A critical review on mechanically alloyed high entropy alloys: processing challenges and properties. Mater. Res. Express 9(5), 052001 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. B.C. Pai, G. Ramani, R.M. Pillai, K.G. Satyanarayana, Role of magnesium in cast aluminium alloy matrix composites. J. Mater. Sci. 30(8), 1903 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. H. Goyal, N. Mandal, H. Roy, S.K. Mitra, B. Mondal, Multi response optimization for processing Al–SiCp composites: an approach towards enhancement of mechanical properties. Trans. Indian Inst. Met. 68(3), 453 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Thirumal Azhagan, M. Manoj, G.R. **u, V. Mugendiran, Investigation of mechanical characterization, thermal behavior and dielectric properties on Al7075–TiB2 MMC fabricated using stir casting route. Int. J. Metalcast. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-022-00873-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. H. Xu, X. Jian, T.T. Meek, Q. Han, Degassing of molten aluminum A356 alloy using ultrasonic vibration. Mater. Lett. 58(29), 3669 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. S. Gorsse, M.H. Nguyen, O.N. Senkov, D.B. Miracle, Database on the mechanical properties of high entropy alloys and complex concentrated alloys. Data Brief 21, 2664 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. V. Pandian, S. Kannan, Processing and preparation of aerospace-grade aluminium hybrid metal matrix composite in a modified stir casting furnace integrated with mechanical supersonic vibration squeeze infiltration method. Mater. Today Commun. 26(May 2020), 101732 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. R. Gupta, G.P. Chaudhari, B.S.S. Daniel, Strengthening mechanisms in ultrasonically processed aluminium matrix composite with in-situ Al3Ti by salt addition. Compos. Part B Eng. 140(August 2017), 27 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. W. Ji, W. Wang, H. Wang, J. Zhang, Y. Wang, F. Zhang, Z. Fu, Alloying behavior and novel properties of CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Intermetallics 56, 24 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. X. Liu, H. Cheng, Z. Li, H. Wang, F. Chang, W. Wang, Q. Tang, P. Dai, Microstructure and mechanical properties of FeCoCrNiMnTi0.1C0.1 high-entropy alloy produced by mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing sintering. Vacuum 165(January), 297 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. M. Li, Y. Guo, H. Wang, J. Shan, Y. Chang, Microstructures and mechanical properties of oxide dispersion strengthened CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy produced by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Intermetallics 123(May), 106819 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. D. Oleszak, A. Antolak-Dudka, T. Kulik, High entropy multicomponent WMoNbZrV alloy processed by mechanical alloying. Mater. Lett. 232, 160 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Y. **e, H. Cheng, Q. Tang, W. Chen, W. Chen, P. Dai, Effects of N addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloy produced by mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing sintering. Intermetallics 93(November 2017), 228 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. F. Alijani, M. Reihanian, K. Gheisari, Study on phase formation in magnetic FeCoNiMnV high entropy alloy produced by mechanical alloying. J. Alloy. Compd. 773, 623 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. J. Zhang, B. Ren, R. Zhao, Z. Liu, B. Cai, G. Zhang, Effect of Co on the microstructure and oxidation behavior of CoxCrCuFeMnNi high entropy alloy powders. Micron 142(November 2020), 102995 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Q. Liu, G. Wang, X. Sui, Y. Xu, Y. Liu, J. Yang, Ultra-fine grain TixVNbMoTa refractory high-entropy alloys with superior mechanical properties fabricated by powder metallurgy. J. Alloys Compd. 865, 158592 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. J. Pan, T. Dai, T. Lu, X. Ni, J. Dai, M. Li, Microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb25Mo25Ta25W25 and Ti8Nb23Mo23Ta23W23 high entropy alloys prepared by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 738(July), 362 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. S. Ren, X. He, X. Qu, I.S. Humail, Y. Li, Effect of Mg and Si in the aluminum on the thermo-mechanical properties of pressureless infiltrated SiCp/Al composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 67(10), 2103 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. N. Ramadoss, K. Pazhanivel, A. Ganeshkumar, M. Arivanandhan, Microstructural, mechanical and corrosion behaviour of B4C/BN-reinforced Al7075 matrix hybrid composites. Int. J. Metalcast. 17, 499–514 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-022-00791-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Z. Yuan, W. Tian, F. Li, Q. Fu, X. Wang, W. Qian, W. An, Effect of heat treatment on the interface of high-entropy alloy particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites. J. Alloy. Compd. 822, 153658 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. M. Alipour, R. Keshavamurthy, P.G. Koppad, A. Shakiba, N.C. Reddy, Investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al–10Zn–3.5Mg–2.5Cu nanocomposite reinforced with graphene nano sheets produced by ultrasonic assisted stir casting. Int. J. Metalcast. 17, 935–946 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-022-00826-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. K.P. Kumar, M.G. Krishna, J.B. Rao, N.R.M.R. Bhargava, Fabrication and characterization of 2024 aluminium—high entropy alloy composites. J. Alloy. Compd. 640, 421 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. S. Venkatesan, M.A. Xavior, Tensile behavior of aluminum alloy (AA7050) metal matrix composite reinforced with graphene fabricated by stir and squeeze cast processes. Sci. Technol. Mater. 30, 74 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Z. Yuan, W. Tian, F. Li, Q. Fu, Y. Hu, X. Wang, Microstructure and properties of high-entropy alloy reinforced aluminum matrix composites by spark plasma sintering. J. Alloy. Compd. 806, 901 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. A. Dhulipalla, B.U. Kumar, V. Akhil, J. Zhang, Z. Lu, H.Y. Park, Y.G. Jung, J. Zhang, Synthesis and machining characteristics of novel TiC ceramic and MoS2 soft particulate reinforced aluminium alloy 7075 matrix composites. Manuf. Lett. 24, 82 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Q. Li, X. Bao, C. Fan, X. Zhang, Y. Lan, The influence of multi-phase intermetallic compounds on the microstructure and tribological behaviors of 6061 Al alloy by adding AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy. Int. J. Metalcast. 16(2), 871–877 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-021-00631-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. J. Lai, Z. Zhang, X.G. Chen, Precipitation strengthening of Al–B4C metal matrix composites alloyed with Sc and Zr. J. Alloy. Compd. 552, 227 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. M.H. Lee, J.H. Kim, J.S. Park, J.C. Kim, W.T. Kim, D.H. Kim, Fabrication of Ni–Nb–Ta metallic glass reinforced Al-based alloy matrix composites by infiltration casting process. Scr. Mater. 50(11), 1367 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Z. Cheng, L. Yang, W. Mao, Z. Huang, D. Liang, B. He, F. Ren, Achieving high strength and high ductility in a high-entropy alloy by a combination of a heterogeneous grain structure and oxide-dispersion strengthening. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 805(July 2020), 140544 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. H.B. Zhang, B. Wang, Y.T. Zhang, Y. Li, J.L. He, Y.F. Zhang, Influence of aging treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CNTs/7075 Al composites. J. of Alloy. Compd. 814, 152357 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Y. **e, X. Meng, Y. Huang, J. Li, J. Cao, Deformation-driven metallurgy of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced aluminum composite for the balance between strength and ductility. Compos. B Eng. 177, 107413 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. H.R. Ezatpour, M. Torabi Parizi, S.A. Sajjadi, G.R. Ebrahimi, A. Chaichi, Microstructure, mechanical analysis and optimal selection of 7075 aluminum alloy based composite reinforced with alumina nanoparticles. Mater. Chem. Phys. 178, 119 (2016)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. M. Manoj, G.R. **u, J.S. Kumar, V. Mugendiran, Effect of TiB2 particles on the morphological, mechanical and corrosion behaviour of Al7075 metal matrix composite produced using stir casting process. Int. J. Metalcast. 16(3), 1517–1532 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-021-00696-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. A.A. Yar, M. Montazerian, H. Abdizadeh, H.R. Baharvandi, Microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with nano-particle MgO. J. Alloy. Compd. 484(1–2), 400 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. J. Gao, X. Wang, S. Zhang, L. Yu, J. Zhang, Y. Shen, Producing of FeCoNiCrAl high-entropy alloy reinforced Al composites via friction stir processing technology. Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol. 110(1–2), 569 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. K. Ravi Kumar, K. Kiran, V.S. Sreebalaji, Micro structural characteristics and mechanical behaviour of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with titanium carbide. J. Alloy. Compd. 723, 795 (2017)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. M. Karbalaei Akbari, H.R. Baharvandi, K. Shirvanimoghaddam, Tensile and fracture behavior of nano/micro TiB2 particle reinforced casting A356 aluminum alloy composites. Mater. Des. 66(PA), 150 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors give sincere thanks to MANIT Bhopal and also give their gratitude to ACMS laboratory and MSE department, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to provide a characterization facility.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, MANIT, Bhopal, M. P., 462003, India

    Pradip Kumar Verma & Alok Singh

Authors
  1. Pradip Kumar Verma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alok Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pradip Kumar Verma.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that no conflict of interest would affect the reported work.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Verma, P.K., Singh, A. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with CoMoMnNiV high-entropy alloy. Inter Metalcast 18, 546–563 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-023-01042-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-023-01042-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation