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Segregation-dislocation self-organized structures ductilize a work-hardened medium entropy alloy

Author

Listed:
  • Bojing Guo

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Dingcong Cui

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Qingfeng Wu

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Yuemin Ma

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Daixiu Wei

    (Nanjing University of Science and Technology)

  • Kumara L. S. R

    (Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI))

  • Yashan Zhang

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Chenbo Xu

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Zhijun Wang

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Junjie Li

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Xin Lin

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Jincheng Wang

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Xun-li Wang

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Feng He

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University
    Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Northwestern Polytechnical University)

Abstract

Dislocations are the intrinsic origin of crystal plasticity. However, initial high-density dislocations in work-hardened materials are commonly asserted to be detrimental to ductility according to textbook strengthening theory. Inspired by the self-organized critical states of non-equilibrium complex systems in nature, we explored the mechanical response of an additively manufactured medium entropy alloy with segregation-dislocation self-organized structures (SD-SOS). We show here that when initial dislocations are in the form of SD-SOS, the textbook theory that dislocation hardening inevitably sacrifices ductility can be overturned. Our results reveal that the SD-SOS, in addition to providing dislocation sources by emitting dislocations and stacking faults, also dynamically interacts with gliding dislocations to generate sustainable Lomer-Cottrell locks and jogs for dislocation storage. The effective dislocation multiplication and storage capabilities lead to the continuous refinement of planar slip bands, resulting in high ductility in the work-hardened alloy produced by additive manufacturing. These findings set a precedent for optimizing the mechanical behavior of alloys via tuning dislocation configurations.

Suggested Citation

  • Bojing Guo & Dingcong Cui & Qingfeng Wu & Yuemin Ma & Daixiu Wei & Kumara L. S. R & Yashan Zhang & Chenbo Xu & Zhijun Wang & Junjie Li & Xin Lin & Jincheng Wang & Xun-li Wang & Feng He, 2025. "Segregation-dislocation self-organized structures ductilize a work-hardened medium entropy alloy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56710-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56710-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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