Production and Characterization of High Entropy Alloy with Optimized Toughness by Genetic Algorithm

• Grant number: 24/00901-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Gil Coury
• Grantee: Heitor Braz Cassanta
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02770-7 - Integrated Computational Materials Engineering ICME: applied to modeling, production, characterization and testing high entropy alloys, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

With the increasing technological advancements, there is a need for the development of new materials. Among them, multi-principal element metallic alloys emerge, which do not have a single element as the main component but a combination of elements aimed at specific properties. In this current project, we will use genetic algorithms to select alloys with good mechanical strength and ductility for multicomponent alloy systems. This tool will be optimized based on alloys like Cr33Co33Ni33 - known for its high impact toughness - as well as experimental data obtained during the production and characterization of initial alloys to refine the inputs and criteria for alloy selection by genetic algorithm. Once the system is fed with this data, solid solution strengthening models and grain refinement will be used, resulting in a set of optimized alloys in a broad system, extending beyond the V-Cr-Fe-Mn-Co-Ni elements. This selected set of alloys will be produced by electric arc melting, using high-purity elements and homogenized at a temperature above the solvus, as predicted by the CALPHAD method. The alloys will then be cold-rolled and homogenized to obtain different grain sizes from different combinations of time and temperature. Microhardness analyses as a function of grain size and differential scanning calorimetry curves will also be conducted to determine the solvus temperature of the alloy. Mechanical tests will also be performed to evaluate the alloy properties. The results will be presented at Scientific Initiation conferences and, when possible, included in publications in international journals, according to the overall project plan.