Influence of Al addition on the microstructure, and magnetic properties of CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy powders

Abstract

CoCrFeNiAlx (x = 0, and 1 mol, named as Al0, and Al1.0, respectively) high-entropy alloys were mechanically alloyed for 24 h. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry investigated crystal structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties. During the milling process, a dual FCC + BCC solid solution with a crystallite size of 15–34 nm was formed. The saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc), and squareness ratio (Mr/Ms) have been estimated from hysteresis loops. The Ms values diminished as a result of promoting the formation of the FCC solid solution by the Al addition.