Corrosion Behavior of a Novel Cu-Zn Based High Entropy Alloy in an Artificial Hard Water

doi:10.11902/1005.4537.2025.148

Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection

2026, Vol. 46

Issue (2): 601-610 DOI: 10.11902/1005.4537.2025.148

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Corrosion Behavior of a Novel Cu-Zn Based High Entropy Alloy in an Artificial Hard Water

YAN Jiancheng¹, FENG Xiangdong², LU Deyong¹, LI Jin¹(

), MENG Pengjun¹, LOU Baohui², GUO Jian¹, LI Zhengtao³, ZHU Zhengwang³

^1.Zhejiang Zheneng Lanxi Electric Power Generation Co. Ltd. , Jinhua 321100, China
^2.Zhejiang Energy R&D Institute, Hangzhou 311121, China
^3.Research Center of Advanced Metastable Metallic Materials, School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China

Cite this article:

YAN Jiancheng, FENG Xiangdong, LU Deyong, LI Jin, MENG Pengjun, LOU Baohui, GUO Jian, LI Zhengtao, ZHU Zhengwang. Corrosion Behavior of a Novel Cu-Zn Based High Entropy Alloy in an Artificial Hard Water. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection, 2026, 46(2): 601-610.

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Abstract

To resolve the pervasive dezincification failure of conventional scale-resistant alloys in hard water environments, herein, a multicomponent Cu-Zn based high-entropy alloy (HEA) as an advanced anti-scaling material was designed and prepared via vacuum induction furnace smelting and casting. Then the corrosion behavior of Cu-Zn based HEA in an artificial hard water was assessed comparatively with a commercial Cu-Zn based KDF55 alloy. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) results confirmed that the HEA exhibits a microstructure of single solid solution phase with face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the HEA alloy presented superior corrosion resistance, with a free-corrosion current density (I_corr) of (2.37 ± 0.39) µA·cm^-2, which was 40% lower than the KDF55 alloy. In contrast to KDF55, the HEA exhibited an average corrosion rate (V_corr) of (0.09 ± 0.01) mm·a^-1, which was 61% lower. Microstructural characterization and corrosion product analysis revealed that the HEA surface developed a dense passive film enriched with Ni/Co/Fe oxides, resulting in minimal corrosion damage. In contrast, the KDF55 alloy exhibited pronounced uniform corrosion accompanied by severe dezincification. This work provides a good reference for the further research and development of highly stable anti-scaling alloys.

Key words: Cu-Zn based high entropy alloys anti-scaling alloys corrosion resistance dezincification passive film

Received: 14 May 2025 32134.14.1005.4537.2025.148

ZTFLH:

TG139

Fund: Zhejiang Provincial Energy Group Corporation Limited Technology Program Project(ZNKJ-2023-012);China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712738)

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	Articles by authors
	YAN Jiancheng
	FENG Xiangdong
	LU Deyong
	LI Jin
	MENG Pengjun
	LOU Baohui
	GUO Jian
	LI Zhengtao
	ZHU Zhengwang

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https://www.jcscp.org/EN/10.11902/1005.4537.2025.148 OR https://www.jcscp.org/EN/Y2026/V46/I2/601

Fig.1 Microstructure analysis of Cu-Zn HEA: (a) SEM image, (b) IPF image, (c) SEM image and corresponding EDS mappings, (d) XRD pattern

Fig.2 EIS plots of alloys in hard water, and equivalent circuit for fitting EIS data: (a) Nyquist plots, (b) Bode plots, and equivalent circuits for fitting EIS data of KDF55 alloy (c) and Cu-Zn HEA (d)

Table 1 Simulated data obtained from EIS measurements for KDF55 alloy and Cu-Zn HEA in hard water

Fig.3 Potentiodynamic polarization result of KDF55 alloy and Cu-Zn HEA in hard water: (a) potentiodynamic polarization curves, (b) corrosion parameters

Fig.4 Surface images and corresponding EDS mappings of alloys after immersion in hard water for 15 d: (a) KDF55 alloy, (b) Cu-Zn HEA

Fig.5 Cross-sectional images and corresponding EDS mappings of alloys soaked in hard water for 15 d: (a) KDF55 alloy, (b) Cu-Zn HEA

Fig.6 Average corrosion rate of KDF55 alloy and Cu-Zn HEA after immersio in hard water for 15 d

Fig.7 Analysis of corrosion products of KDF55 alloy after immersion in hard water for 5 d: (a) XRD spectrum, (b-d) XPS spectra of Cu 2p_3/2, Zn 2p_3/2 and O 1s, (e) composition and relative content of corrosion products on KDF55 alloy

Table 2 Corrosion products and corresponding binding energies of Cu-Zn HEA

Fig.8 XPS spectra of corrosion products of Cu-Zn HEA after immersion in hard water for 1d: (a) Cu 2p_3/2, (b) Zn 2p_3/2, (c) Ni 2p_3/2, (d) Co 2p_3/2, (e) Fe 2p_3/2, (f) O 1s

Fig.9 Composition and relative content of corrosion products on Cu-Zn HEA

Fig.10 Schematic diagram of corrosion mechanism of KDF55 alloy (a) and Cu-Zn HEA (b) in hard water

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