Prospects for creation of high-speed high-entropy steels

A new class of materials created at the beginning of the 21st century – high–entropy alloys – attracts the attention of researchers in the field of physical materials science. Based on the analysis of recent literature data, the current state of the problem of creating and researching medium- and high-entropy high-speed steels is considered. Due to solid-solution hardening and nano-precipitation hardening based on medium- and high-entropy alloys of complex composition, it is possible to create high-speed steels with high hardness, thermal resistance and impact strength. The presented results of studies of tribological characteristics and microhardness of high-speed steels indicate the dependence of these characteristics on entropy. The lowest values of cutting forces and contact temperatures are typical for cutting tools made of high-speed steel with a high level of entropy. Thus, when developing new high-speed grades, preference should be given to the compositions with a high level of entropy, since they provide better tribological characteristics and higher wear resistance. The structural and phase state of surfacing of high-entropy high-speed molybdenum steel of non-equiatomic composition on medium-carbon steel in a nitrogen medium was studied by the methods of modern physical materials science. X -ray spectral analysis methods determined the elemental composition of surfacing outer layer, and X -ray phase analysis revealed that solid solutions based on α-iron (88 wt. %) and γ-iron (12 wt. %) are the main phases of the deposited layer material. The calculation of the configuration entropy of this high-speed high-entropy steel gives a value of 1.93 R (where R is the universal gas constant). The conclusion is made about the relevance and prospects of the development and research of high-energy alloys.