Improving electromagnetic wave absorption performance by adjusting the proportion of brittle BCC phase in FeCoNiCr0.4Mnx high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys, as a novel type of absorber, exhibit exceptional electromagnetic modulation capabilities and significant potential for electromagnetic wave absorption. In this work, the FeCoNiCrMn high-entropy alloy absorbent prepared through a mechanical alloying process demonstrates a dual-phase solid solution structure comprising face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) phases. By varying the manganese (Mn) content in the system, it is possible to enhance the degree of crystallinity, maintain the integrity of the crystal structure, and effectively control the relative proportion of the BCC phase within the overall phase composition. This adjustment improves the brittleness of the sheet-like particles, reduces particle size, and significantly lowers the permittivity. When the molar ratio of Mn is 0.6, the sample exhibits improved impedance matching due to the optimal permittivity and permeability. Notably, the impedance matching and attenuation constant can also be balanced. At 6.42 GHz, the FeCoNiCr_0.4Mn_0.6 alloy powder achieves the maximum reflection loss of −48.49 dB at a matching layer thickness of 3 mm. When the matching thickness is reduced to 2 mm, it can effectively cover a frequency range of 8.7–14.1 GHz (effective absorption bandwidth of 5.4 GHz), along with a wide absorption bandwidth and high absorption efficiency.