Preparation of graphene film reinforced CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy matrix composites with strength-plasticity synergy via flake powder metallurgy method

Inspired by the design principle of pearl structure, a bottom-up flake powder self-assembly arrangement strategy, flake powder metallurgy, is used to prepare graphene films (GFs) reinforced CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy (HEA) matrix composites with a pearl laminated structure. Flaky HEA powder was prepared by ball milling method and homogeneously mixed with Ni plated GFs. Vacuum hot-press sintering (VHPS) technique was carried out to solidify the mixed powders to obtain composites with uniform distribution of GFs(Ni) and flaky HEA. The results show that the bottom-up preparation strategy can effectively fabricate bionic laminated HEA matrix composites, and the composites have a distinct pearly laminated structure. The tensile strength of the composites with 5 vol% GFs(Ni) content reached 834.04 MPa, and the elongation reached 26.58 %. The compressive strength in parallel and perpendicular laminar directions reached 2069.66 MPa and 2418.45 MPa at 50 % strain, respectively. The laminated GFs(Ni)/HEA matrix composites possessed excellent strength and maintained good plasticity. In this study, the strengthening and toughening mechanism of the laminated GFs(Ni)/HEA matrix composites is discussed in detail, and the results show that the laminated structure and GFs(Ni) are favorable for the hardening and strengthening of the HEA matrix.