Irradiation-induced shift in the thermodynamic stability of phases and the self-healing effect in transformative high entropy alloys

This work investigated Fe₄₀Mn₂₀Cr₁₅Co₂₀Si₅ high entropy alloy (CS-HEA), which exhibits transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) from γ-fcc → ε-hcp, as a probable candidate for nuclear applications. CS-HEA is an extensively-explored, low stacking fault energy alloy with superior strength, ductility, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance. This study delved into the effect of irradiation on the shift in thermodynamic stability of the phases and thus radiation tolerance. The evolution of phases, lattice parameters, and transformation volume, V_γ→ε, were evaluated from X-ray diffraction experiments along with the mechanical response from nanoindentation. The alloy exhibited a recently-proposed novel self-healing mechanism possible due to the TRIP effect to minimize irradiation damage by restraining the γ-fcc → ε-hcp transformation via thermal aid; this self-healing mechanism was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The results were corroborated by a negative change in V_γ→ε and a low |V_γ→ε|, which is an important criterion for recovery of parent γ-fcc phase. Thus, this alloy was deemed a good radiation-tolerant candidate for nuclear application.