High-entropy alloy strengthened by in situ formation of entropy-stabilized nano-dispersoids.

A significant increase in compressive yield strength of the Al0.3CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) from 979 MPa to 1759 MPa was observed upon the introduction of 3 vol.% Y2O3. The HEAs were processed using spark plasma sintering of mechanically alloyed powders. Transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography confirmed the presence of compositionally complex nano-dispersoids in the Y2O3-added HEA. The significant increase in strength can be attributed to the nano-dispersoid strengthening coupled with grain refinement. Therefore, the in-situ formation of the compositionally complex nanoscale dispersoids during the alloy processing could be a novel approach to create entropy-stabilized oxide particles in strengthening of HEAs.