Modeling the work hardening behavior in metastable high entropy alloys

Mechanical response of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-enabled metastable high entropy alloys that display austenite (γ) to martensitic (ε) phase transformation under uniaxial tension is characterized by a constant work hardening segment preceded and succeeded by stages of gradual drop in work hardening. A four-parameter empirical model based on the nature of the work hardening curve is developed. The model enjoys ease of parametric identification from macroscopic mechanical response over physically-based models. Compared to tensile deformation of conventional alloys, some insights are drawn from the numerical value of the model parameters for TRIP HEAs when fitted to their tensile deformation response. Further, a method to predict the tensile mechanical response of TRIP HEAs/steels based on the trends of correlated parameters with stacking fault energy and microstructure is proposed.