Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing

Abstract Controlling microstructure in fusion-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) remains a significant challenge due to the many parameters that directly impact solidification condition. Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), also known as high entropy alloys, offer a vast compositional space t...

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Main Authors: Akane Wakai, Jenniffer Bustillos, Noah Sargent, Jamesa L. Stokes, Wei Xiong, Timothy M. Smith, Atieh Moridi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56616-0
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author Akane Wakai
Jenniffer Bustillos
Noah Sargent
Jamesa L. Stokes
Wei Xiong
Timothy M. Smith
Atieh Moridi
author_facet Akane Wakai
Jenniffer Bustillos
Noah Sargent
Jamesa L. Stokes
Wei Xiong
Timothy M. Smith
Atieh Moridi
author_sort Akane Wakai
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Controlling microstructure in fusion-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) remains a significant challenge due to the many parameters that directly impact solidification condition. Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), also known as high entropy alloys, offer a vast compositional space to design for microstructural engineering due to their chemical complexity and exceptional properties. Here, we use the FeMnCoCr system as a model platform for exploring alloy design in MPEAs for AM. By exploiting the decreasing stability of the face-centered cubic phase with increasing Mn content, we achieve notable grain refinement and breakdown of epitaxial columnar grain growth. We employ a multifaceted approach encompassing thermodynamic modeling, operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, multiscale microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing to gain insight into the solidification physics and its ramifications on the resulting microstructure of FeMnCoCr MPEAs. This work aims toward tailoring desirable grain sizes and morphology through targeted manipulation of phase stability, thereby advancing microstructure control in AM applications.
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spelling doaj-art-fab722b60f1a468bb2b2b1db448bbc442025-08-20T02:48:18ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-02-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-56616-0Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturingAkane Wakai0Jenniffer Bustillos1Noah Sargent2Jamesa L. Stokes3Wei Xiong4Timothy M. Smith5Atieh Moridi6Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of PittsburghNASA Glenn Research CenterDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of PittsburghNASA Glenn Research CenterDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell UniversityAbstract Controlling microstructure in fusion-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) remains a significant challenge due to the many parameters that directly impact solidification condition. Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), also known as high entropy alloys, offer a vast compositional space to design for microstructural engineering due to their chemical complexity and exceptional properties. Here, we use the FeMnCoCr system as a model platform for exploring alloy design in MPEAs for AM. By exploiting the decreasing stability of the face-centered cubic phase with increasing Mn content, we achieve notable grain refinement and breakdown of epitaxial columnar grain growth. We employ a multifaceted approach encompassing thermodynamic modeling, operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, multiscale microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing to gain insight into the solidification physics and its ramifications on the resulting microstructure of FeMnCoCr MPEAs. This work aims toward tailoring desirable grain sizes and morphology through targeted manipulation of phase stability, thereby advancing microstructure control in AM applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56616-0
spellingShingle Akane Wakai
Jenniffer Bustillos
Noah Sargent
Jamesa L. Stokes
Wei Xiong
Timothy M. Smith
Atieh Moridi
Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
Nature Communications
title Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
title_full Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
title_fullStr Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
title_short Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
title_sort harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56616-0
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