Breaking the strength-ductility trade-off via heterogeneous structure in FeCoCrNiMo0.2 high-entropy alloy

The synergistic effect between heterogeneous structures has been proved to enhance the strength and plasticity of alloys, especially in the context of single-phase face-centered cubic (FCC) high-entropy alloys with low stacking fault energy. This study explores the synergistic effects of heterogeneous structures on the strength and plasticity of single-phase FCC FeCoCrNiMo0.2 high-entropy alloys. Through a combination of cryogenic rolling and annealing at 1000 °C for 0.5 h (RA-1000), the alloy demonstrates exceptional strength-ductility synergy and work-hardening ability. The heterogeneous structure comprises fine grains, nano-scale rich- (Cr, Mo) σ phase, and high-density annealing twins. The interaction of σ precipitation and FCC matrix induces heterogeneous deformation-induced strengthening (HDI), while annealing twins and stacking faults act as barriers to dislocation movement, enhancing strength and ductility through a dynamic Hall-Petch effect. Additionally, chemically ordered structures, ordered L12 phase, and type 63 topologically close-packed phases in RA-1000 alloys contribute to improved strain hardening via anti-phase boundaries. This work provides valuable insights for designing multi-scale heterogeneous structures to strengthen high-entropy alloys.