Influence of Precipitation Treatment on the Homogenization and Mechanical Properties of FeNi1.5CrCu0.5 High-Entropy Alloy

This study investigates the effect of precipitation treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the high-entropy FeNi1.5CrCu0.5 alloy. The samples were first homogenized at 1080 °C for 12 hours, followed by precipitation treatment at 800 °C for 6, 24, and 48 hours. The microstructure of the samples was examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of Cr23C6 precipitates. The results demonstrated that the precipitation treatment effectively eliminated chromium-rich regions at the grain boundaries, and resulted in a more uniform microstructure after cold rolling and subsequent annealing. Mechanical properties, analyzed through shear punch testing, revealed that following cold rolling with an 80% thickness reduction and annealing at 1000 °C, the precipitated samples exhibited superior strength and ductility compared to the homogenized sample. The formation of Cr23C6 precipitates and the reduction in grain size were primary factors contributing to the improved mechanical properties. This study demonstrated that precipitating treatment significantly enhanced the strength and ductility of the FeNi1.5CrCu0.5 alloy.