Synergy effect of multi-strengthening mechanisms in CoNiCr-based high-entropy superalloy at cryogenic temperature

The evolution and formation mechanism of microstructures in a high-entropy CoNiCr-based superalloy induced by cold-drawing deformation at cryogenic temperature were investigated. The improvement of strength while maintaining the ductility during cryogenic-drawing deformation in the CoNiCr-based high-entropy superalloy originated from the activation of multiple deformation mechanisms including deformation twins, dislocations, 9R phase and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) phase transformation. Two dominant contributions have been suggested for the increase in strength, namely, nanotwins strengthening and the existence of 9R and HCP phase. In this paper, cryogenic-deformation-induced phase transformation from face-centered cubic (FCC) to HCP in the CoNiCr-based high-entropy superalloy was found, and the atomic-scale mechanism of FCC-9R-Twin/HCP transformation was revealed. A new crystallographic model was established to explain the FCC→9R→Twin/HCP transformation. The phase transformation is significant for the comprehensive understanding of the deformation behavior of this CoNiCr-based high-entropy superalloy at cryogenic temperature, and for guiding the design of high-entropy superalloy with advanced mechanical properties. •The cryogenic-drawn samples of CoNiCr-based high-entropy superalloy exhibit superior strength while maintaining the ductility.•The strength increment originates from multiple deformation mechanisms, including deformation twins, 9R and HCP phase.•The atomic-scale mechanism of the FCC-9R-Twin/HCP transformation was revealed.•A new crystallographic model is established to explain the FCC.→9R→Twin/HCP transformation processes.