Effects of Ti content on the tensile ductility, lattice distortion and mechanical properties of VNbTaTix refractory high-entropy alloys

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) have remarkable properties like high strength and thermal stability at high temperatures. Their practical application is hindered by ambient brittleness and inferior formability. Titanium (Ti) is recognized as a crucial element in improving the ductility and oxidation resistance of RHEAs, but its plasticizing mechanism is still unclear. To address this, a series of body-centered cubic (BCC) single-phase VNbTaTix alloys were designed. The alloys exhibited exceptional ductility and cold-rolling formability at room temperature. Remarkably, the tensile fracture elongation of VNbTaTi alloy was about 26.9%, which surpassed most RHEAs. The major plastic mechanisms of the alloys are a/2-type dislocation and {1 1 2}-type twinning. Solid solution strengthening was identified as the primary strengthening mechanism. Although Ti reduced the solid solution strengthening effect, it contributed to weight reduction and enhanced local lattice distortion. This study not only designed several RHEAs with ductility but also provided insights into the effect of Ti content on their phase stability, lattice distortion, and strength mechanisms. These findings have significant implications for designing new RHEAs with ambient ductility.