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The valence band (VB) structure of an Al0.5TiZrPdCuNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) obtained using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been compared to that recently calculated by Odbadrakh et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 126, 095104 (2019)]. Both the experimental and theoretical VBs show a split-band structure, typical for alloys consisting of the early (TE) and late (TL) transition metals. Accordingly, several electronic structure (ES) properties of this alloy, both in the glassy and crystalline state, are compared with those of similar TE-TL alloys. The comparison shows a strong effect of alloying with Al on the density of states at the Fermi level, N(EF), and on the magnetic susceptibility of Al0.5TiZrPdCuNi HEA, similar to that in conventional glassy alloys, such as Zr-Cu-Al ones. Despite some similarity in the theoretical and experimental density of states of the VBs, there are significant differences between them, which should be taken into account in any future studies of ES in HEAs and other compositionally complex alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we describe the characterization of a newly fabricated amorphous alloy system (TiZrNbCu)1−xCox covering a broad composition range from high-entropy (HEA) to Co-rich alloys (x ≤ 0.43). We investigated thermal stability, atomic and electronic structure, and magnetic and mechanical properties as a function of chemical composition x. One of the important findings is that all studied properties change their dependence on concentration x within the HEA range. In particular, it has been found that the average atomic volume deviates from Vegard's law for x > 0.2, the concentration for which the average atomic packing fraction suddenly changes. The valence band structure, studied with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, shows a split-band shape with 3d-states of Co approaching the Fermi level on increasing x. Due to the onset of magnetic correlations, magnetic susceptibility rapidly increases for x > 0.25. Very high microhardness increases rapidly with x. The results are compared with those for similar binary and quinary metallic glasses and with those for Cantor type of crystalline alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of a transition from conventional multicomponent alloys to high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is important both for understanding the formation of HEAs and for proper evaluation of their potential with respect to that of conventional alloys. We report the main result of such a study performed on (TiZrNbNi)1−xCux metallic glasses (MG) over a broad concentration range x ≤ 0.52 encompassing both high-entropy-MGs and Cu-based MGs. A comprehensive study of the composition, homogeneity, thermal stability, atomic structure, electronic structure, and magnetic susceptibility of 11 alloys has been performed. Thermal analysis revealed a rather weak variation of thermal parameters and glass forming ability with x. The study of the atomic structure showed a linear variation of average interatomic distances and atomic volumes close to those predicted by Vegard's law. The coordination numbers and atomic packing fractions were constant throughout the explored concentration range. The electronic density of states (DOS) showed a split-band structure with DOS close to the Fermi level dominated with d-states of Ti, Zr, and Nb. Accordingly, magnetic susceptibility decreased linearly with x and extrapolated to that of Cu. Thus, the studied alloys show ideal solution behavior similar to that of binary Cu-Ti, Zr, and Hf MGs. The results are compared with those for (TiZrNbCu)1−xNix MGs and (CrMnFeCo)1−xNix alloys and their impact on understanding the transition from high-entropy-MGs to conventional MGs with the same composition is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical properties (Young's modulus and hardness) of TE-Ni,Cu (TE = Ti, Zr and Hf) amorphous alloys increase approximately linearly with Ni, Cu fraction, x, over a wide composition range (fraction of Ni, Cu atoms ≤ 66 %). This correlates with the observed increase of the Debye temperatures with x and shows that the strength of interatomic bonding increases with x in these alloys. The thermal stability (e.g. the crystallization temperatures) of these alloys also increases with x, thus with increasing interatomic bonding. Since in all these alloys the electronic density of states at the Fermi level, N(EF), decreases Ii- nearly with x within the same x-range, a very simple relationship exists between the electronic structure and mechanical and thermal properties. We also estimate the mechanical properties of amorphous TEs (by extrapolating the properties of alloys to x = 0) and compare them with those of crystalline TEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the transition from high-entropy alloys (HEAs) to conventional alloys (CAs) composed of the same alloying components is apparently important, both for understanding the formation of HEAs and for proper evaluation of their potential with respect to that of the corresponding CAs. However, this transition has thus far been studied in only two types of alloy systems: crystalline alloys of iron group metals (such as the Cantor alloy and its derivatives) and both amorphous (a-) and crystalline alloys, TE-TL, of early (TE = Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf) and late (TL = Co, Ni, Cu) transition metals. Here, we briefly overview the main results for the transition from HEAs to CAs in these alloy systems and then present new results for the electronic structure (ES), studied with photoemission spectroscopy and specific heat, atomic structure, thermal, magnetic and mechanical properties of a-TE-TL and Cantor-type alloys. A change in the properties of the alloys studied on crossing from the HEA to the CA concentration range mirrors that in the ES. The compositions of the alloys having the best properties depend on the alloy system and the property selected. This emphasizes the importance of knowing the ES for the design of new compositional complex alloys with the desired properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The experimental results for the magnetic susceptibility and superconducting transition temperature of amorphous Zr–(Co,Ni,Cu) alloys extending over a wide composition range are analyzed in some detail. By combining the results of this analysis with the literature results for the electronic density of states at E F for the same alloy systems we obtained a set of parameters associated with the electronic structure of the amorphous Zr. The comparison of these parameters with the results of the band structure calculations for different crystalline phases of Zr and with the results of the atomic structure and crystallization studies of the same alloy systems indicates an fcc-like local atomic structure for amorphous Zr. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]