Real-time atomic deformation behavior of nano CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy

Tensile tests were performed by molecular dynamics at various strain rates ranging from 2x108 to 1x1010 s-1 and various temperatures ranging from 10 to 1200 K, and the real-time deformation behavior of a nanocrystalline CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy was investigated. The results indicate that the main deformation mechanism is grain boundary slip at high temperatures and low strain rates. Dislocation slip replaces grain boundary slip to control plastic deformation with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate, correspondingly enhancing the strength of the alloy. Furthermore, the alloys with different grain sizes were simulated to evaluate the effects of grain boundaries on the mechanical behavior. It is found that the strength of the nanocrystalline high-entropy alloys increases with increasing grain sizes when the grain size is too small, exhibiting an inverse Hall-Petch relationship.