Microstructure, strain rate, and temperature effects on the compressive loading behavior of (FeMnNiCo)1-xMox high entropy alloy

High entropy alloys based on FeMnNiCoMo offer a potential for high energy absorption and high strength, even at low temperatures. In this work, the effects of chemical composition and grain size on the mechanical properties were investigated. Compression tests at a wide range of strain rates and temperatures have been performed. For a strain rate of about 102 s−1 an instrumented drop weight tower was applied. Furthermore, cryogenic temperature tests at −196 °C were carried out. The microstructure was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and transmission Kikuchi diffraction. Hence, the role of grain size, precipitations, and twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) on the yield strength and the further strain hardening were investigated.