Tribology and Materials | Volume 5 | Issue 3 | 2026 | 105-115
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https://doi.org/10.46793/tribomat.2026.009
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The effect of reinforcement on the properties of FeNiCuAl medium-entropy alloy
Dyna Ayunita
1,
Suprianto
1,
Muhammad Dalil2,
Tulus Burhanuddin Sitorus1,
Bakhrul Ilmi1,
Hazwan Chaitami Harahap1,
Khalbi Ayub1
1 Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
2 Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Abstract: Medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) are promising candidates in the engineering field due to their high strength. Their characteristics are strongly correlated with strengthening mechanisms. A combination of both solid solution and dispersion of ceramic particles influences strength improvement. These strengthening mechanisms are widely used in different alloys. However, the effectiveness of hybrid reinforcement particles in FeNiCuAl MEAs remains challenging. This study aims to investigate the effects of Y2O3 and TiC particles on the mechanical and tribological properties of FeNiCuAl-Y2O3/TiC synthesised by powder metallurgy. The microstructure, fracture and wear morphologies of the matrix and composites were analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties, such as Vickers hardness and compressive strength, were measured. Furthermore, tribological properties were determined via dry sliding testing. The results show that the presence of reinforcement particles in the FeNiCuAl matrix increases hardness and reduces the wear rate. The addition of 1.5 wt. % TiC significantly improves wear resistance. On the other hand, the presence of Al indicates higher compressive and yield stresses of more than 350 MPa, obtained by adding 1.0 at. % Al into the FeCuNi alloy. In this study, the addition of reinforcement enhances hardness and wear resistance while reducing the ductility of the FeNiCuAl MEA.
Keywords: composite, dispersion strengthening, medium-entropy alloy, TiC, Y2O3.
Received: 05-12-2025, Revised: 18-03-2026, Accepted: 06-04-2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which allows users to distribute, remix, adapt,
and build upon the material in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
2 Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Abstract: Medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) are promising candidates in the engineering field due to their high strength. Their characteristics are strongly correlated with strengthening mechanisms. A combination of both solid solution and dispersion of ceramic particles influences strength improvement. These strengthening mechanisms are widely used in different alloys. However, the effectiveness of hybrid reinforcement particles in FeNiCuAl MEAs remains challenging. This study aims to investigate the effects of Y2O3 and TiC particles on the mechanical and tribological properties of FeNiCuAl-Y2O3/TiC synthesised by powder metallurgy. The microstructure, fracture and wear morphologies of the matrix and composites were analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties, such as Vickers hardness and compressive strength, were measured. Furthermore, tribological properties were determined via dry sliding testing. The results show that the presence of reinforcement particles in the FeNiCuAl matrix increases hardness and reduces the wear rate. The addition of 1.5 wt. % TiC significantly improves wear resistance. On the other hand, the presence of Al indicates higher compressive and yield stresses of more than 350 MPa, obtained by adding 1.0 at. % Al into the FeCuNi alloy. In this study, the addition of reinforcement enhances hardness and wear resistance while reducing the ductility of the FeNiCuAl MEA.
Keywords: composite, dispersion strengthening, medium-entropy alloy, TiC, Y2O3.
Received: 05-12-2025, Revised: 18-03-2026, Accepted: 06-04-2026
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which allows users to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.