Targeted nanoindentation of a high-entropy alloy in the SEM

In this application note, Bruker Nano discusses the application of in-situ SEM nanoindentation of a high-entropy alloy (HEA) using the Hysitron^® PI 88 SEM PicoIndenter^® to investigate the accommodation of plastic strain as a part of exploring processing routes. HEA alloys are a promising class of novel engineering materials that potentially possess better specific strength, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance than existing structural materials, along with several other unique properties. This is potentially due to the operation of diverse deformation mechanisms, allowing for crack bridging as an extrinsic toughening mechanism, for example. These materials remain an active area of research due to their complex mechanical behavior, and their use as a practical structural material requires further investigation.