High entropy alloy thin films on SS304 substrates: Evolution of microstructure and interface modulated by energetic condensation in nanoscale

Hong Zhao; Zhong Zheng; Tenghao Jiang; Li Fu; Behnam Akhavan; Marcela M. Bilek; Zongwen Liu

Materials & Design (Jun 2023)

High entropy alloy thin films on SS304 substrates: Evolution of microstructure and interface modulated by energetic condensation in nanoscale

Hong Zhao,
Zhong Zheng,
Tenghao Jiang,
Li Fu,
Behnam Akhavan,
Marcela M. Bilek,
Zongwen Liu

Affiliations

Hong Zhao: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Zhong Zheng: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Tenghao Jiang: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Li Fu: Institute of Flexible Electronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Solidification, Xi’an 710072, PR China
Behnam Akhavan: The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308 NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Precision Medicine Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Corresponding authors at: The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Marcela M. Bilek: The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Corresponding authors at: The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Zongwen Liu: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Corresponding authors at: The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 230
p. 111981

Abstract

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High entropy alloys (HEAs), as a novel material in the 21st century, possess several advantages, such as excellent corrosion & oxidation resistance and high mechanical properties. HEA thin films show these favourable properties with lower material costs than their bulk counterparts. Studying the HEA film-substrate interface represents challenges but is of extreme importance for the understanding of growth mechanisms with important implications for film adhesion. However, most HEA films were deposited on monocrystalline silicon substrates with limited practical applicability. Further, where commercial stainless steel, aluminium or titanium alloy substrates were used, the microstructure and chemistry at the interface were neglected. Here, we deposited AlCrFeCoNiCu0.5 HEA thin films on stainless steel 304 (SS304) substrates using cathodic arc deposition with different substrate biases. The crystallography and microstructure were investigated using an X-ray and electron-microscopy based chatacterization. A transition of an incoherent to semi-coherent interface was observed from 0 V to -50 V of the substrate bias. Energy dispersive spectroscopy demonstrated a transition of Cr2O3 to aluminum oxide across the interface. The nanoindentation tests revealed the significant improvement of mechanical properties of SS304 with HEA coatings. High-strength HEA (8.0 ± 0.2 GPa) thin films with semi-coherent interfaces were manufactured on SS304.

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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