Microstructures and Corrosion Behaviors of Non-Equiatomic Al0.32CrFeTi0.73(Ni1.50−xMox)(x = 0, 0.23) High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared by the High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel Method

Abstract

The non-equiatomic Al0.32CrFeTi0.73(Ni1.50−xMox) (x = 0, 0.23) high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings were prepared by the high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) method. The microstructures and corrosion behaviors of the HVOF-prepared coatings were investigated. The corrosion behaviors were characterized by polarization, EIS and Mott-Schottky tests under a 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride aqueous solution open to air at room temperature. The Al0.32CrFeTi0.73Ni1.50 coating is a simple BCC single-phase solid solution structure compared with the corresponding poly-phase composite bulk. The structure of the Al0.32CrFeTi0.73Ni1.27Mo0.23 coating, combined with the introduction of the Mo element, means that the (Cr,Mo)-rich sigma phase precipitates out of the BCC solid solution matrix phase, thus forming Cr-depleted regions around the sigma phases. The solid solution of large atomic-size Mo element causes the lattice expansion of the BCC solid solution matrix phase. Micro-hole and micro-crack defects are formed on the surface of both coatings. The growth of both coatings’ passivation films is spontaneous. Both passivation films are stable and Cr2O3-rich, P-type, single-layer structures. The Al0.32CrFeTi0.73Ni1.50 coating has better corrosion resistance and much less pitting susceptibility than the corresponding bulk. The corrosion type of the Mo-free coating is mainly pitting, occurring in the coating’s surface defects. The Al0.32CrFeTi0.73Ni1.27Mo0.23 coating with the introduction of Mo element increases pitting susceptibility and deteriorates corrosion resistance compared with the Mo-free Al0.32CrFeTi0.73Ni1.50 coating. The corrosion type of the Mo-bearing coating is mainly pitting, occurring in the coating’s surface defects and Cr-depleted regions.