Most multicomponent high-entropy alloys (HEAs) lose ductility with increasing strength, similar to conventional materials. We controllably introduced novel gradient nano-scaled dislocation-cell structures in one stable single-phase face-centered-cubic HEA, which result in enhanced strength without apparently losing ductility. The sample-level structural-gradient induces the progressive formation of a high density of tiny stacking-faults (SFs) and twins upon early straining, nucleating from abundant low-angle dislocation cells. Furthermore, the SF-induced plasticity and the resultant refined structures, coupled with intensively accumulated dislocations, contribute to the plasticity, extra strengthening and work hardening. Our findings offer a promising paradigm for tailoring properties with gradient-dislocation cells at the nanoscale and advance our fundamental understanding of the intrinsic deformation behavior of HEAs.

中文翻译：

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具有出色强度和延展性的梯度单元结构高熵合金

大多数多组分高熵合金 (HEA) 随着强度的增加而失去延展性，类似于传统材料。我们在一个稳定的单相面心立方 HEA 中可控地引入了新型梯度纳米级位错单元结构，从而在不明显丧失延展性的情况下提高了强度。样品级结构梯度在早期应变时诱导逐渐形成高密度的微小堆垛层错 (SFs) 和孪晶，从丰富的低角位错细胞中成核。此外，SF 诱导的塑性和由此产生的细化结构，加上密集的位错积累，有助于塑性、额外强化和加工硬化。