The use of ferroalloys for the smelting of a quasi-high-entropy alloy

The paper presents the results of studying some properties and structure of a quasi high-entropy alloy (QHEA) of the Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni system melted with the use of ferromanganese and ferrochrome, which presumably will reduce the cost of the alloy. The paper presents the results of a study of some properties and structure of a quasi-high-entropy alloy of the Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni system, smelted using low-carbon ferromanganese and ferrochrome. The melting was carried out in a laboratory induction furnace with a reinforced cooling system. Casting of the alloy was carried out in a chemically inert corundomullite-zirconium crucible (CMZ), the alloy was subjected to a single remelting to achieve uniformity of composition. At the end of smelting, the chemical composition, strength, microhardness and some parameters of the experimental alloy structure were studied. The structure of the alloy is represented by a single-phase solution that includes Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni. The content of all the elements is approximately equal (19–22 %) with the exception of iron, whose share is about 15 %. The structure contains a small number of inclusions of silicate nature, the proportion of the total area is about 1%. The experimental alloy demonstrated properties close to the level of properties of a similar alloy melted with the use of pure metals by 5-fold remelting. The results obtained showed the possibility of partial replacement of pure metals with ferroalloys when smelting of QHEAs, which will positively affect their cost. The preliminary calculation shows cost savings on charge materials at the level of 20 %. The results obtained showed the possibility of partial replacement of pure metals with ferroalloys during the smelting of QHEA, which will have a positive effect on their cost. The work was carried out within the framework of the implementation of the IRN Program BR21882240 “Developing a quasi high-entropy alloy using Kazakhstani raw materials and technology of producing precision parts based on it” (agreement with the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 378-PTsF-23-25 dated November 15, 2023), funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.