Corrosion resistant high entropy conventional alloy (HECA) with superior work hardenability

Cu-based alloys are known for their high corrosion resistance but with a lack of processing ability and vice versa. Here we present a novel alloy design concept realizing Cu-rich high entropy conventional alloy (HECA) having exceptional corrosion resistance (Ecorr = - 0.27 V, icorr = 2.83 × 10−6 A/cm2) and work hardenability (strength = 413 MPa, total elongation = 28 %) synergy simultaneously in as-fabricated state. This cocktailing effect in HECA (Cu-12Fe-8Mn-7.5Co-2.5Cr, all in at%) is attributed to the formation of Fe-Mn-Co-Cr containing high entropy phase (HEP) in the Cu-rich matrix. A pronounced two-phase hardening by hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening effect at the HEP/Cu matrix resulted in excellent work hardenability whereas, exceptional corrosion resistance was attributed to delayed corrosion kinetics owing to the preferential corrosion of the Cu-rich phase over HEP in HECA. Thus, Cu-rich HECA overcomes the corrosion-strength ductility dilemma in Cu-rich alloys when compared with classical binary Cu-Fe alloys in an as-fabricated state.