The effect of the parameters of the powder bed fusion process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrFeCoNi medium-entropy alloys

Multi-principal elemental alloys, referred to as high- or medium-entropy alloys, are a new class of materials with properties that can be predicted according to their compositional combinations. CrFeCoNi alloys are considered as a potential material for high-temperature application. In this work, we investigate the structural and mechanical properties of 3D-printed CrFeCoNi alloys produced by powder bed fusion. The porosity, microhardness and mechanical properties of the printed parts were studied. The samples demonstrate mechanical properties that are better than those previously reported. In the temperature range from −150 °C to 300 °C, the yield strength of printed samples is twice as high as that of traditional manufacturing techniques. Annealing at 750 °C leads to formation of a sigma phase and changes in mechanical properties. This research estimates the potential application of CrFeCoNi medium-entropy alloys in the field of additive manufacturing. [Display omitted] •Mechanical and structural investigation of PBF printed CrFeCoNi.•Impact of PBF parameters on microhardness and porosity of medium-entropy alloys was studied.•Increase in comparative yield strength by 300 MPa at the wide temperature range.•Discovery of sigma phase formation due to high-temperature annealing of the samples.