Strength-ductility synergy in a novel carbon nanotube-high entropy alloy co-reinforced aluminum matrix composite

Here we present a novel design strategy for the manufacturing carbon nanotube (CNT)-high entropy alloy (HEA) particles co-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) with heterogeneous structures. This strategy involves in situ synthesis of CNTs@HEA hybrid reinforcement. The results demonstrate that the fabricated CNTs@HEA/Al composites have bimodal grain structure and nano-reinforced particle spatial distribution. The dispersion of CNTs within the Al matrix was achieved via the transport of micron-sized HEA particles. Simultaneously, the formation of Al4C3 and Cr7C3 occurred at the HEA/CNTs/Al interface, thereby augmenting the load-bearing capacity of CNTs. The enhanced strength of CNTs@HEA/Al composites is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of load transfer, back stress strengthening, Orowan strengthening, grain refinements and stacking faults (SFs) strengthening. Moreover, the bimodal grains and SFs of the composite contribute sustained strain hardening, resulting in satisfactory tensile ductility.