High-entropy transition metal nitride thin films alloyed with Al Microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties

Pshyk, AV, Vasylenko, A ORCID: 0000-0002-6933-0628, Bakhit, B, Hultman, L, Schweizer, P, Edwards, TEJ, Michler, J and Greczynski, G (2022) High-entropy transition metal nitride thin films alloyed with Al Microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties. MATERIALS & DESIGN, 219. p. 110798.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110798

Abstract

Deviation from equimolar composition in high-entropy multielement ceramics offers a possibility of fine-tuning the materials’ properties for targeted application. Here, we present a systematic experimental and theoretical study on the effects of alloying equimolar pentanary (TiHfNbVZr)N and hexanary (TiHfNbVZrTa)N high-entropy nitrides with Al. Although being predicted to be metastable by ab initio density-functional theory calculations, single-phase fcc NaCl-structured solid solution thin films with Al solubility limits as high as x ∼ 0.51–0.61 in (TiHfNbVZr)1-xAlxN and x ∼ 0.45–0.64 in (TiHfNbVZrTa)1-xAlxN are synthesised utilizing a hybrid deposition technique that offers dynamic mixing of film atoms from Al+ subplantation and non-equilibrium growth conditions leading to quenching of the desired film structure. In experimental studies supplemented with density-functional theory calculations, it is demonstrated that Al concentration in alloys with the multielement compositions of high-entropy nitride thin films determine hardness, yield strength, toughness, and ability to deform plastically up to fracture due to different deformation mechanisms arising from the electronic structure and phase compositions.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Source info: JMADE-D-22-01444
Uncontrolled Keywords:	High-entropy nitride, HiPIMS, Mechanical properties, Hardness, Yield strength
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Physical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2022 13:46
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2023 01:57
DOI:	10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110798
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110798
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3164542