Finite Element Analysis of Tensile Strength of High-Entropy Alloys: Material Selection Purposes

Abstract

This study presents a comparative finite element analysis (FEA) of the tensile behavior of two high-entropy alloys (HEAs), CoCrFeMnNi and CrMnFeCoNi, against three conventional shaft materials: SS 316L, Ductile Iron, and CoCrFeNi. The research addresses a critical gap in the literature by providing a standardized simulation framework to objectively evaluate their performance for power transmission shaft applications, where high tensile strength and dynamic load capacity are paramount. The results establish a clear performance hierarchy, identifying CoCrFeMnNi as the superior material with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of approximately 650 MPa. This represents a significant 18% and 30% enhancement over CoCrFeNi and SS 316L, respectively, attributed to synergistic solid-solution strengthening from manganese and nickel. The stress-strain analysis further reveals CoCrFeMnNi's exceptional combination of high initial strength and sustained strain-hardening capability. In contrast, conventional materials exhibited limitations such as strain softening or low ductility. The study concludes that CoCrFeMnNi is the optimal candidate for high-performance shafts, providing a crucial data-driven foundation for material selection in advanced engineering design.