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A series of CoCrFeNb x Ni ( x values in molar ratio, x = 0, 0.25, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.2) high entropy alloys (HEAs) was prepared to investigate the alloying effect of Nb on the microstructures and mechanical properties. The results indicate that the prepared CoCrFeNb x Ni ( x > 0) HEAs consist of a simple FCC solid solution phase and a Laves phase. The microstructures of the alloys change from an initial single-phase FCC solid solution structure ( x = 0) to a hypoeutectic microstructure ( x = 0.25), then to a full eutectic microstructure ( x = 0.45) and finally to a hypereutectic microstructure (0.5 x x = 0.45) alloy with a full eutectic microstructure possesses the highest compressive fracture strength of 2558 MPa and a fracture strain of 27.9%. The CoCrFeNi alloy exhibits an excellent compressive ductility, which can reach 50% height reduction without fracture. The Nb0.25 alloy with a hypoeutectic structure exhibits a larger plastic strain of 34.8%. With the increase of Nb content, increased hard/brittle Laves phase leads to a decrease of the plasticity and increases of the Vickers hardness and the wear resistance. The wear mass loss, width and depth of wear scar of the Nb1.2 ( x = 1.2) alloy with a hypereutectic structure are the lowest among all alloy systems, indicating that the wear resistance of the Nb1.2 alloy is the best one.

Semisolid-rolling method was successfully developed to prepare the Ni-coated woven carbon fibers reinforced Al-matrix composite. Due to the appropriate matrix flowability and rolling pressure, the Al-matrix could infiltrate into the woven fibers sufficiently and attach to the reinforcements closely forming a smooth interface. The rolling speed of 4 rad/min offered a subtle equilibrium between the heat transfer and the material deformation. The covering matrix should be controlled at semisolid state to provide a better infiltration behavior and a protective effect on the carbon fibers. With the addition of fibers, an improvement for more than 25% was obtained in the bending strength of the materials. Furthermore, the woven carbon fibers could strengthen the composite in multiple directions, rather than only along the fiber longitudinal directions. The annealing process promoted the Ni coating to react with and to diffuse into the matrix, resulted in an obvious increase of the bending strength.