The Influence of Synthesis Conditions on the Phase Composition, Structure, and Properties of the High-Entropy Ti–Cr–Fe–Ni–Cu Alloy

The influence of production conditions on the structure, phase composition, and properties of the high-entropy Ti–Cr–Fe–Ni–Cu alloy has been studied. The starting materials were Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Ti powders in the equiatomic ratio. To prepare the starting charge, the powders were mixed and mechanically alloyed in a planetary-ball mill. The compacted billets were hot-forged and then annealed at 1000, 1100, and 1200°C. The phase composition of the hot-forged and annealed alloys is mainly represented by FCC structure. There are few peaks of BCC structures, intermetallides, and titanium. Mechanical synthesis leads to significant distortion of crystalline lattices of all elements in the powder mixture, which is evidenced by substantial broadening of interference lines. The hardness and lattice distortion of the hot-forged samples decrease after annealing with increasing temperature. The materials made of the starting mixtures subjected to preliminary mechanical alloying show higher hardness. The hardness increases with grinding time for both unannealed samples and those annealed at all temperatures concerned.