From diluted solid solutions to high entropy alloys: Saturation grain size and mechanical properties after high pressure torsion

Effects of solutes on saturation grain size and mechanical properties are investigated for the Cantor alloy Ni-enriched variations ((CrMnFeCo)xNi1-x) with x=0.8, 0.4, 0.08 0. Indentation coarse-grained severely deformed states shows increasing hardness alloying content due to higher solid solution strengthening Hall-Petch contributions. Nanoindentation strain rate jump tests reveal similar sensitivities without pronounced transient regimes. All compositions exhibit a history dependent softening indicating an unstable microstructure. The ds after HPT deformation inversely correlates contribution, i.e. Δτ lower ds.