Gradient Plastic Zone Model in Equiatomic Face-Centered Cubic Alloys

For the application of nanoindentation on the nanoscale, the dislocation behavior affected by solid solution strengthening can be described microscopically, which contributes to comprehend the peculiarity of high-entropy alloys (HEAs). This study is to provide deeper insights into the dislocation motion within the plastic zone and reveal the material dependence of the plastic zone variation in multi-principal alloys through designed nanoindentation linear tests performed on face-centered cubic Ni, CoNi, CoCrNi, and FeCoCrNi metals and alloys. Indentation tests at various depths further confirmed that the scale factor, f , which was proposed to modify the Nix-Gao model, is governed by the material category. From this, a connection is established between f and pertinent parameters of dislocation activation process and distribution characteristics. As for the dislocation activation, the activation volume and theoretical strength are considered, and then the lattice distortion and strain gradient determine the dislocation distribution feature. Regarding the critical strengthening of adjacent indentations, a critical scale factor f eff of the strengthening boundary is defined, which is proportional to the indentation depth, and a large f eff is preferred for high-strength multi-principal HEAs and /or medium-entropy alloys (MEAs). Combining the f and the f eff of the four metals and alloys, a model describing the evolution of the indentation plastic zone is established, in which the plastic zone include three parts. For the inconsonant trends of f and f eff , a dislocation saturation zone is suggested to existing in the plastic zone. The Gradient plastic zone model proposed here graphically depicts the dislocations motion, as well as its reinforcement effect. Futhermore, this model lends credence to modify the framework which describes the mechanical response of materials under nanoindentation.