by In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of scientists co-led by researchers from Penn State University have uncovered the key to the exceptional mechanical properties exhibited by a new class of metallic materials known as high- and medium-entropy alloys (HEA/MEA). These alloys, including the chromium-cobalt-nickel (CrCoNi) MEA, have shown remarkable resilience to extreme temperatures and fracture resistance, making them potential candidates for use in critical applications such as airplane turbines, nuclear reactors, and space exploration equipment.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, the study shed light on the importance of short-range order within these metallic materials. Short-range order refers to the local arrangement of atoms in a material, and understanding this phenomenon could pave the way for significant advancements in enhancing the mechanical performance and damage tolerance of these alloys. This newfound knowledge has the potential to drive innovations in the safety and reliability of future engineering systems, particularly in the fields of transportation and power generation.
Professor Yang Yang, an assistant professor at Penn State specializing in engineering science and mechanics, highlighted the exceptional mechanical properties of the CrCoNi alloy. Notably, the alloy has demonstrated unparalleled toughness even at frigid temperatures as low as -423°F. However, the underlying reasons for its superior performance have long remained a mystery. Some scientists speculated that the presence of short-range order might be the key factor contributing to its exceptional qualities.
Co-corresponding author Andrew M. Minor, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, emphasized the challenges of detecting and measuring short-range order due to its subtle and minuscule nature within materials. The team’s innovative approach involved developing a novel imaging technique utilizing energy-filtered 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to investigate the local atomic arrangement of the HEA/MEA alloys with a focus on the CrCoNi composition.
By likening the presence of short-range order in the CrCoNi alloy to the tendency of individuals from the same university to cluster together at a party, the researchers provided a relatable analogy for the complex atomic interactions within the material. Through their experimental approach, which enabled the rapid capture and analysis of electron diffraction images at high resolution, the team was able to observe the evolution of material defects under stress, particularly in relation to the formation of planar defects.
These planar defects, also known as errors in the stacking sequence of atomic planes, play a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of alloys. Minor highlighted the team’s discovery of a transition in defect formation during mechanical deformation, underscoring the significance of short-range order in influencing the alloy’s behavior under stress. The findings from this study hold immense potential for driving advancements in alloy design and engineering, ultimately leading to the development of more robust and reliable materials for a wide range of industrial applications.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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