Honeycomb sample design for high-throughput preparation of RCCAs

Abstract

Reliable experimental thermodynamic data are essential for the development of refractory complex concentrated alloys (RCCAs). To map such a vast compositional space, efficient high-throughput methods are required. In this short methodological letter, we present a novel method of preparing a single sample containing multiple RCCAs compositions using blended elemental powder metallurgy (BEPM), specifically through field-assisted sintering technology (FAST). The prepared sample, with a well-defined geometry, can be subsequently used for high-throughput experimental characterization via XRD and EDS to determine the equilibrium phase content and composition for each nominal chemical composition. The viability of this methodological approach is demonstrated on a quinary Al-Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta system.