D022 precipitates strengthened W-Ta-Fe-Ni refractory high-entropy alloy.

• W 30 Ta 5 (FeNi) 65 with high density γ ″ precipitation remains structurally stable at 1200 °C. • The γ ″ precipitates significantly improve the material strength from 750 MPa to 1450 MP at room temperature. • W 30 Ta 5 (FeNi) 65 maintain a yield strength of 1000 MPa at 800 °C, and 320 MPa at 1000 °C. Refractory high-entropy alloys have recently emerged as promising candidates for high-temperature structural applications. However, their performance is compromised by the trade-off required between strength and ductility. Here, a novel W 30 Ta 5 (FeNi) 65 refractory high-entropy alloy with an outstanding combination of strength and plasticity at both room and elevated temperatures is designed, based on the multi-phase transitions design strategy. The alloy comprises a body-centered cubic dendrite phase, a topologically close-packed μ rhombohedral phase, and a high-density coherent nano-precipitate γ ″ phase with the D0 22 structure (Ni 3 Ta type) embedded in a continuous face-centered cubic matrix. Owing to precipitation strengthening of D0 22 , the yield stress of the alloy is determined as high as 1450 MPa, which is a significant improvement (∼100%) in comparison with the D0 22 -free alloy, without a loss of ductility. This alloy exhibits an excellent high-temperature strength, with the yield strengths of 1300 MPa at 600 °C and 320 MPa at 1000 °C. Detailed microstructural characterization using transmission electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark-field imaging, and three-dimensional atom probe tomography analyses indicated that this superior strength–plasticity combination stems from the synergy of a multiple-phase structure. These results provide a new insight into the design of RHEAs and other advanced alloys. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]