Mechanical properties of Cantor alloys driven by additional elements: a review

Abstract

The Cantor alloy has emerged as one of the most promising alloy systems in the past decade because of its excellent ductility and fracture toughness, making this alloy different as a high-entropy alloy. However, engineering applications of the Cantor alloy are severely constrained by its low strength. The strength of the Cantor alloy can be greatly enhanced by the additional elements. In this study, to find the additional elements that can improve the comprehensive mechanical properties of the Cantor alloy, existing developments are reviewed first. A series of findings related to the mechanical properties of the Cantor alloy and the additional elements are summarized. Meanwhile, theoretical strengthening values of several strengthening mechanisms are discussed. Finally, after investigating the influences of the additional elements on the phase structure of the Cantor alloy by valence electron concentration rule, suggestions are provided to promote further breakthroughs for the improvement of mechanical properties of the Cantor alloy.

Keywords

• Cantor alloy
• Phase structure
• Additional elements
• Mechanical properties
• Strengthening mechanism