High-temperature corrosion and oxidation properties of borided CoCrFeNiAl0.5Nb0.5 HEA

This study is focused on a detailed investigation of high-temperature corrosion and oxidation behavior of borided CoCrFeNiAl0.5Nb0.5 HEAs, considering their use in advanced engineering applications. CoCrFeNiAl0.5Nb0.5 HEA was produced by arc melting. XRD and SEM-EDS analysis before boriding determined that the alloy consisted of four different phases with different chemical compositions. Powder-pack boriding of a CoCrFeNiAl0.5Nb0.5 HEA was performed at 1000 degrees C for 3 h in a boriding media containing 90 % boron carbide and 10 % sodium tetrafluoroborate. As a result of the boriding process, complex boride layers consisting of (CoFe)B2, CrFeB, CoNbB, FeB and NiB phases were obtained on the surface with a thickness of 40 & mu;m and hardness of 3004 HV. it was determined that the microstructure with cauliflower appearance evolved towards a dense and non-porous appearance around 20 & mu;m as the boron diffusing into the HEA microstructure filling the gaps of intermetallic compound in the single structure, HEA and borided HEAs were each subjected to a cyclic hot corrosion test at 900 degrees C in molten corrosion salts of Na2SO4 and V2O5. After hot corrosion tests, long rod-like structures were observed in both samples due to the excessive corrosion, while borided alloys were more resistant to hot corrosion damage. After oxidation tests, HEA consists of a compact protective alumina scale that provided better oxidation resistance, while non-protective mixed oxides with cracks were dominant in the borided HEA.