A quinary WTaCrVHf nanocrystalline refractory high-entropy alloy withholding extreme irradiation environments
Osman El‐Atwani, H.T. Vo, Matheus A. Tunes, C. Lee, Andrew Alvarado, N. Krienke, Jonathan D. Poplawsky, Aaron A. Kohnert, Jonathan Gigax, W.-Y. Chen, M. Li, Yongqiang Wang, Jan Wróbel, D. Nguyen-Manh, Jon K. Baldwin, O. U. Tukac, Eda Aydogan, Saryu Fensin, Enrique Martínez
Abstract
In the quest of new materials that can withstand severe irradiation and mechanical extremes for advanced applications (e.g. fission & fusion reactors, space applications, etc.), design, prediction and control of advanced materials beyond current material designs become paramount. Here, through a combined experimental and simulation methodology, we design a nanocrystalline refractory high entropy alloy (RHEA) system. Compositions assessed under extreme environments and in situ electron-microscopy reveal both high thermal stability and radiation resistance. We observe grain refinement under heavy ion irradiation and resistance to dual-beam irradiation and helium implantation in the form of low defect generation and evolution, as well as no detectable grain growth. The experimental and modeling results-showing a good agreement-can be applied to design and rapidly assess other alloys subjected to extreme environmental conditions.