Microstructural verification of the theoretically designed novel eutectic multi-principal element alloy

This letter proposes the theoretical design methodology based on the proportional mixing of binary eutectics for predicting novel eutectic multi-principal element alloys (EMPEAs). It was then experimentally verified by manufacturing a dual-phase eutectic Zr61.9AlTiVCr alloy having a density of 6.04 g/cc. Zirconium was identified as the eutectic forming element in this system, notably having only 3 binary eutectics in a quinary system. The alloy developed by vacuum arc melting revealed the formation of an irregular lamellar eutectic microstructure consisting of cubic and hexagonal Laves phases. The as-cast alloy had a superior hardness of HV527, with 780 MPa compressive strength. This study paves the way for designing new EMPEAs without depending on any simulation software.