Laser ultrashort-time liquid phase sintering of a dual-phase refractory multi-principal-element alloy

While energetic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) demonstrate tunable performance characteristics, the thermodynamic considerations inherent in their compositional design fundamentally impede the attainment of high-density properties. This study reports a novel dual-phase multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) comprising tungsten (W)-rich dense phase and EHEA-based solid solution phase, synthesized through laser-induced ultrashort-time liquid phase sintering (LULPS). The systematic investigation correlates processing parameters with densification behaviour and W-phase morphological evolution. The results show that with the higher laser energy densities (E), the density of the alloy increases, and the W morphologies change from spherical to dendritic or polygonal. Notably, dendritic/polygonal W dominance, elevated matrix W content, and intensified W-W connectivity contribute to property degradation. Therefore, when the E reaches 120J/mm³, high-density alloy with the target microstructure can be successfully fabricated. Under dynamic loading, this alloy demonstrated superior strength-ductility combination (compressive strength: ∼2.37 GPa, fracture strain: ∼33%) and energy release characteristics. This provides a new insight for the design and development of advanced materials.