Production and characterization of reinforced crmnfeconi high entropy alloy

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a novel class of engineering materials composed of five or more principal elements in near-equiatomic ratios. Their high configurational entropy favors the formation of single-phase solid solutions, leading to unique combinations of mechanical strength, ductility, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance. Among these, the Cantor alloy (CrMnFeCoNi) has been extensively studied due to its stable face-centered cubic (FCC) structure and remarkable ductility, even at cryogenic temperatures. To further enhance its performance and expand its application range, researchers have explored the effects of various elemental reinforcements. Elements such as boron (B), silicon (Si), aluminium (Al), and activated carbon (C) have shown potential in tailoring phase formation, refining microstructures, and improving mechanical behavior. In this study, CrMnFeCoNi-based Cantor alloys were reinforced with B, Si, Al, and C at 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% weight fractions. The effects of reinforcement type, addition ratio, and sintering temperature on microstructural evolution, phase formation, and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. The alloy powders were mixed homogenously via mechanical blending and compacted using cold pressing under 600 MPa. The green compacts were then sintered at 1000 °C and 1200 °C in an atmosphere-controlled furnace. Characterization of the produced samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructural analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase identification, and Vickers microhardness testing to evaluate mechanical performance. This comprehensive approach aims to reveal how reinforcement composition and thermal processing influence the structure–property relationships in HEA systems.