High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Corrosion, Wear and Erosion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2023) | Viewed by 12011

Special Issue Editor

Materials and Surface Engineering Group, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Interests: high-entropy alloys; coatings; thermal spraying; laser-cladding; thermochemical treatment; spark plasma sintering; additive manufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) offer a wide range of research and development potential due to their outstanding properties. The limited material usage for surface technology especially promises a sustainable and demand-oriented ecological and economical use of these high-performance materials. The development of suitable processing methods for coating technologies, heat treatment, as well as mechanical finishing routines enables new system solutions in the area of complex surface stresses. The large number of potential processing technologies enables the realization of coating systems for different scale ranges. Mechanical finishing and modification of the surface by thermochemical processes are additional possibilities to adjust the functional properties of coating systems. However, there is still a great need for a profound understanding of the process–microstructure–property relationships. The central focus of this Special Issue is on current development trends for HEAs in the fields of casting, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and coating technology, as well as surface functionalization and finishing.

In particular, the topics of interest include but are not limited to:

  • Casting and powder metallurgical manufacturing;
  • Coating processes (e.g., thermal spraying, laser cladding and magnetron sputter deposition);
  • Additive manufacturing and spark plasma sintering;
  • Mechanical finishing and plasma polishing;
  • Heat treatment and thermochemical surface hardening;
  • Computational modeling and simulation.

Dr. Thomas Lindner
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 8856 KiB  
Article
Influence of Milling Conditions on AlxCoCrFeNiMoy Multi-Principal-Element Alloys
by Diego Delgado Arroyo, Tim Richter, Dirk Schroepfer, Andreas Boerner, Michael Rhode, Thomas Lindner, Bianca Preuß and Thomas Lampke
Coatings 2023, 13(3), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13030662 - 22 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1160
Abstract
Multi-Principal-Element or High-Entropy Alloys (MPEAs/HEAs) have gained increasing interest in the past two decades largely due to their outstanding properties such as superior mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. However, research studies on their processability are still scarce. This work assesses the effect of [...] Read more.
Multi-Principal-Element or High-Entropy Alloys (MPEAs/HEAs) have gained increasing interest in the past two decades largely due to their outstanding properties such as superior mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. However, research studies on their processability are still scarce. This work assesses the effect of different machining conditions on the machinability of these novel alloys, with the objective of advancing the introduction of MPEA systems into industrial applications. The present study focuses on the experimental analysis of finish-milling conditions and their effects on the milling process and resulting surface finish of CoCrFeNi, Al0.3CoCrFeNi and Al0.3CoCrFeNiMo0.2 alloys fabricated via Spark Plasma Sintering. Ball-nose-end milling experiments have been carried out various milling parameters such as cutting speed, feed per cutting edge, and ultrasonic assistance. In situ measurements of cutting forces and temperature on the tool edge were performed during the experiments, and surface finish and tool wear were analyzed afterwards. The results exhibited decreasing cutting forces by means of low feed per cutting edge and reduced process temperatures at low cutting speed, with the use of ultrasonic-assisted milling. It was shown that the machinability of these modern alloys through conventional, as well as modern machining methods such as ultrasonic-assisted milling, is viable, and common theories in machining can be transferred to these novel MPEAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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15 pages, 8598 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution and Wear Resistance of the Eutectic High-Entropy Alloy Al0.3CoCrFeNiNb0.5 Produced by Laser Metal Deposition
by Bianca Preuß, Thomas Lindner, Thomas Uhlig, Jorge Eduardo Tapia Cabrera, Holger Schwarz, Guntram Wagner, Thomas Seyller and Thomas Lampke
Coatings 2023, 13(3), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13030585 - 08 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1596
Abstract
Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) are characterized by a fine lamellar microstructure. This allows for homogeneous functional surface properties. Furthermore, the risk of coarse precipitate formation during coating processes from the liquid state is avoided. However, the influence of the size and the texture [...] Read more.
Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) are characterized by a fine lamellar microstructure. This allows for homogeneous functional surface properties. Furthermore, the risk of coarse precipitate formation during coating processes from the liquid state is avoided. However, the influence of the size and the texture of the local microstructure domain on functional properties is still unknown. The present work is devoted to the microstructural evolution of the EHEA Al0.3CoCrFeNiNb0.5. Inert gas atomized powder was processed by laser metal deposition (LMD) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Both specimens were heat treated near their liquidus temperatures. The different production routes have a decisive influence on the orientation of the lamellar structure. The SPS bulk material has a statistically distributed orientation of the lamellae defined by the microstructure of the powder. However, the remelting of the powder during the LMD process causes a directional vertical solidification of the lamellar structure. Based on these differences, positive effects on their functional properties were detected for directionally solidified LMD coatings. As a result of the heat treatment, the influence of the lamellar orientation on their tribological properties is reduced, whereas the influence of the lamellar size on their property profile can be derived. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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12 pages, 3560 KiB  
Article
Non-Metallic Alloying Constituents to Develop a Wear-Resistant CrFeNi-BSiC High-Entropy Alloy for Surface Protective Coatings by Thermal Spraying and High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition
by Thomas Lindner, Bianca Preuß, Martin Löbel, Lisa-Marie Rymer, Maximilian Grimm, Holger Schwarz, Thomas Seyller and Thomas Lampke
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020291 - 27 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
Compositional alterations to high-entropy alloys (HEAs) allow further evolution of these materials by adjusting their property profiles. This way, they can be used for coating technologies and surface-protection applications. In the present work, minor quantities of the non-metallic alloying constituents, BSiC, were added [...] Read more.
Compositional alterations to high-entropy alloys (HEAs) allow further evolution of these materials by adjusting their property profiles. This way, they can be used for coating technologies and surface-protection applications. In the present work, minor quantities of the non-metallic alloying constituents, BSiC, were added to the CrFeNi base system. The alloy development was carried out in an electric arc furnace in comparison with the nickel-based alloy Ni-600. With regard to the BSiC-free variant, the wear resistance can be significantly increased. The powder was manufactured by inert gas atomization and characterized, followed by processing via high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying (HVOF) and high velocity laser metal deposition (HS-LMD). Depending on the manufacturing conditions, the proportion and shape of the precipitates within the microstructure differ. Compared to both the reference system and the as-cast condition, the coating systems demonstrated comparable or improved resistance to wear. The evaluation of the process–structure–property relationships confirmed the great potential of developing load-adapted HEA systems using non-metallic alloy constituents in the field of surface engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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22 pages, 7933 KiB  
Article
Nb and Mo Influencing the High-Temperature Wear Behavior of HVOF-Sprayed High-Entropy Alloy Coatings
by Lisa-Marie Rymer, Thomas Lindner and Thomas Lampke
Coatings 2023, 13(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13010009 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1293
Abstract
To qualify high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as resource-saving and high-temperature wear-resistant coating materials, high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coatings produced from the inert gas-atomized powder of Al0.3CrFeCoNi, Al0.3CrFeCoNiNb0.5 and Al0.3CrFeCoNiMo0.75 were investigated in reciprocating wear tests at [...] Read more.
To qualify high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as resource-saving and high-temperature wear-resistant coating materials, high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coatings produced from the inert gas-atomized powder of Al0.3CrFeCoNi, Al0.3CrFeCoNiNb0.5 and Al0.3CrFeCoNiMo0.75 were investigated in reciprocating wear tests at temperatures at 25, 500, 700 and 900 °C. In addition to the high-temperature wear tests, the microstructure and chemical composition of the three HEAs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In particular, HVOF coatings are characterized by high hardness (Vickers hardness HV0.1) and low porosity, which were also determined. After high-temperature wear tests, the wear depth was measured using laser scanning microscopy (LSM). It was found that adding Nb and Mo to Al0.3CrFeCoNi significantly reduces the wear depth with increasing temperature. The wear mechanisms change from abrasive wear and delamination (25 °C and 500 °C) to a combination of (abrasion), delamination, adhesion and oxidative wear. Thereby, oxidative wear will be the primary mechanism at 900 °C for all the HVOF coatings investigated. The most important finding is that the adhesion of the oxide layer formed is improved by adding Nb and Mo, resulting in significantly reduced wear depth at 900 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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6 pages, 2164 KiB  
Communication
High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition of CrFeCoNi and AlCrFeCoNi HEA Coatings with Narrow Intermixing Zone and their Machining by Turning and Diamond Smoothing
by Thomas Lindner, Hendrik Liborius, Gerd Töberling, Sabrina Vogt, Bianca Preuß, Lisa-Marie Rymer, Andreas Schubert and Thomas Lampke
Coatings 2022, 12(7), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12070879 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1431
Abstract
The processing of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) via laser metal deposition (LMD) is well known. However, it is still difficult to avoid chemical intermixing of the elements between the coating and the substrate. Therefore, the produced coatings do not have the same chemical composition [...] Read more.
The processing of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) via laser metal deposition (LMD) is well known. However, it is still difficult to avoid chemical intermixing of the elements between the coating and the substrate. Therefore, the produced coatings do not have the same chemical composition as the HEA feedstock material. Single-layer CrFeCoNi and AlCrFeCoNi HEA coatings were deposited using high-speed laser metal deposition (HS-LMD). Elemental mapping confirmed a good agreement with the chemical composition of the powder feedstock material, and revealed that chemical intermixing was confined to the immediate substrate interface. The coatings are characterized by a homogeneous structure with good substrate bonding. The machining of these coatings via turning is possible. Subsequent diamond smoothing results in a strong decrease in the surface roughness. This study presents a complete manufacturing chain for the production of high-quality HS-LMD HEA coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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10 pages, 5104 KiB  
Article
Hardness Enhancement in CoCrFeNi1−x(WC)x High-Entropy Alloy Thin Films Synthesised by Magnetron Co-Sputtering
by Holger Schwarz, Thomas Uhlig, Thomas Lindner, Thomas Lampke, Guntram Wagner and Thomas Seyller
Coatings 2022, 12(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12020269 - 17 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1829
Abstract
We demonstrate the systematic hardness enhancement of the CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) by the addition of tungsten carbide (WC). Mixed thin films are fabricated by magnetron co-sputtering using a home-made spark plasma-sintered CoCrFeNi target and a commercially available WC target. The WC content [...] Read more.
We demonstrate the systematic hardness enhancement of the CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) by the addition of tungsten carbide (WC). Mixed thin films are fabricated by magnetron co-sputtering using a home-made spark plasma-sintered CoCrFeNi target and a commercially available WC target. The WC content in the thin films is adjusted via the ratio of deposition powers applied to the targets. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements were taken to determine the surface and bulk stoichiometry, respectively. The uniform distribution of the elements is confirmed via EDX mapping. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is carried out on the samples to determine the crystal phase formation. The Vickers hardness of the thin films is investigated using nanoindentation and shows an increase in the hardness in the thin films following an increased WC content. The data obtained are presented in comparison to pure WC and CoCrFeNi thin films fabricated by magnetron sputtering, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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13 pages, 8153 KiB  
Article
Vertical Graphene Growth on AlCu4Mg Alloy by PECVD Technique
by Ales Polzer, Josef Sedlak, Jan Sedlacek, Libor Benes and Katerina Mouralova
Coatings 2021, 11(9), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11091108 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2102
Abstract
Vertical graphene, which belongs to nanomaterials, is a very promising tool for improving the useful properties of long-used and proven materials. Since the growth of vertical graphene is different on each base material and has specific deposition setting parameters, it is necessary to [...] Read more.
Vertical graphene, which belongs to nanomaterials, is a very promising tool for improving the useful properties of long-used and proven materials. Since the growth of vertical graphene is different on each base material and has specific deposition setting parameters, it is necessary to examine each base material separately. For this reason, a full factor design of experiment was performed with 26 = 64 rounds, which contained additional 5 central points, i.e., a total of 69 rounds of individual experiments, which was to examine the effect of input factors Temperature, Pressure, Flow, CH4, Plasma Power, and Annealing in H2 on the growth of vertical graphene on aluminum alloy AlCu4Mg. The deposition was performed using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technology. Mainly, the occurrence of graphene was analyzed, which was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, as well as its thickness. The characterization was performed using electron and transmission microscopy, including an atomic force microscope. It was found that the growth of graphene occurred in 7 cases and its thickness is affected only by the interaction flow (sccm) × pretreatment H2 (sccm). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloy Coatings and Surface Functionalization)
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