Influence of substitution of Cr by Cu on phase equilibria and microstructures in the Fe–Ni–Co–Cr high-entropy alloys

The article describes how substitution of chromium by copper affects phase equilibria in Fe–Ni–Co–Cr high-entropy alloy. The alloys with copper content ranging from 0 to 20 % (at.) of Cu were prepared. The alloys were equilibrated at 900, 800, 700, and 650 °C. The samples were investigated by electron microscopy, EDX spectroscopy, and EBSD method. The face-centred cubic phases have only occurred in equilibrated alloys: austenite matrix, copper-rich FCC(Cu) phase, and regions containing these phases. The compositions of equilibrated samples at annealing temperatures are given. Fine microstructures including a semicoherent FCC phase rich in Cu and an FCC phase including the main magnetic elements (Fe, Co, Ni) were formed. The experimental results were compared with the calculated phase equilibria obtained by the CALPHAD method.