The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al0.6CoFeNi2V0.5 High Entropy Alloy

Al0.6CoFeNi2V0.5 high entropy alloy was successfully designed and prepared via the nonconsumable arc-melting process, and it was annealed at 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C for 4 h. Its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The as-cast alloy consisted of FCC and BCC phases, and no phase transformation occurred during annealing at 600 °C. Hard Al3V-type metal compounds precipitated during annealing at 800 °C, and BCC particles precipitated in the FCC matrix during annealing at 1000 °C. After annealing, the strength and hardness of Al0.6CoFeNi2V0.5 high-entropy alloy both showed a decreasing trend, because the annealing process eliminated the internal stress in this alloy. However, as the annealing temperature increased, the strength and hardness of the Al0.6CoFeNi2V0.5 high-entropy alloy samples gradually increased. This is because the hard Al3V metal compounds precipitated when the annealing temperature was 800 °C, which produced the “second phase strengthening” effect. At 1000 °C, the larger volume fraction of the hard and fine BCC phase (21.81%) diffusely precipitated; the precipitation of this BCC phase not only produced a “second phase strengthening” effect, which also resulted in “solid solution strengthening”, ultimately exhibiting enhanced hardness and strength. These findings have important theoretical reference value for the study of the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys. And, this study plays a significant role in promoting the research and development of new component materials that bear compressive loads, such as columns in large factory buildings, supports for cranes, and clamping bolts for rolling mills in practical mechanical engineering.