Effect of W Contents and Annealing Temperatures on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of CoFeNi Medium Entropy Alloys

In this work, the W element, with a larger atomic radius compared to Co, Fe, and Ni, was added to modify the microstructure and enhance the yield strength of CoFeNi medium entropy alloy (MEA). A detailed study was conducted to clarify the effects of W additions and annealing temperatures on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of CoFeNiWx (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.3) MEAs. CoFeNiW0.1 retained a single FCC structure without the formation of precipitates in the FCC phase, indicating that W, with a larger atomic radius, can completely dissolve in CoFeNiW0.1. For CoFeNiW0.3 MEA, coarse particles with an average diameter of ~2 μm appeared after homogenizing. Nevertheless, when the alloy was annealed at 800 °C and 900 °C, fine particles formed, with the average diameters of approximately 144 nm and 225 nm, respectively. After annealing at 800 °C, the CoFeNiW0.3 with a partially recrystallized microstructure exhibited better comprehensive mechanical properties.