TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE THERMO-MECHANICALLY PROCESSED NON EQUIATOMIC FECONIMNAL HIGH-ENTROPY ALLOY UNDER DIFFERENT APPLIED NORMAL LOAD

Abstract

The unique multi-element composition and superior mechanical properties of High-entropy alloys (HEAs) make them promising materials for wear-resistant applications. This study uses a fretting tribometer to investigate the tribological behavior of a thermomechanical processed, non-equiatomic FeCoNiMnAl HEA with different loads, such as 10 N, 20 N, and 30 N. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed a FCC with single-phase structure, in contrast, Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed a fully recrystallized equiaxed grain microstructure. Tribological testing showed that the coefficient of friction (COF) decreased from 0.62 to 0.49 with increasing load, due to tribo-layer formation. However, the specific wear rate (SWR) increased from 6.9 to 10.7 ×10-6 mm^3/Nm, attributed to enhanced plastic deformation and material removal. The wear morphology analysis of the worn surfaces indicated both abrasive and delamination wear mechanisms, with delamination dominating at higher loads. This study highlights the load-dependent tribological performance of HEAs. It provides valuable insights into their wear resistance, supporting their potential applications in high-stress environments such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery. Copyright © 2025 by ASME.