Relationship between the unique microstructures and behaviors of high-entropy alloys

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs), which were introduced as a pioneering concept in 2004, have captured the keen interest of numerous researchers. Entropy, in this context, can be perceived as representing disorder and randomness. By contrast, elemental compositions within alloy systems occupy specific structural sites in space, a concept referred to as structure. In accordance with Shannon entropy, structure is analogous to information. Generally, the arrangement of atoms within a material, termed its structure, plays a pivotal role in dictating its properties. In addition to expanding the array of options for alloy composites, HEAs afford ample opportunities for diverse structural designs. The profound influence of distinct structural features on the exceptional behaviors of alloys is underscored by numerous examples. These features include remarkably high fracture strength with excellent ductility, antiballistic capability, exceptional radiation resistance, and corrosion resistance. In this paper, we delve into various unique material structures and properties while elucidating the intricate relationship between structure and performance.

Keywords

high-entropy alloys / unique microstructure / special properties / alloy design

References

[[1]] H.L. Zhuang, Sudoku-inspired high-Shannon-entropy alloys, Acta Mater., 225(2022), art. No. 117556.

[[2]] Zhang Y. . High Entropy Materials-Microstructures and Properties, 2023 Rijeka IntechOpen Press,

[[3]] Li YS, Zhou SC, Zhang Y. Brechtl J, Liaw PK. Future research directions and applications for high-entropy materials. High-Entropy Materials: Theory, Experiments, and Applications, 2021 Cham Springer 721,

[[4]] X.H. Yan, Y. Zou, and Y. Zhang, Properties and processing technologies of high-entropy alloys, Mater. Futures, 1(2022), No. 2, art. No. 022002.

[[5]] Xiao N, Guan X, Wang D, et al.. Impact of W alloying on microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion resistance of face-centered cubic high entropy alloys: A review. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2023, 30(9): 1667,

[[6]] Laplanche G, Gadaud P, Bärsch C, et al.. Elastic moduli and thermal expansion coefficients of medium-entropy subsystems of the CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy. J. Alloys Compd., 2018, 746: 244,

[[7]] C.L. Lin, J.L. Lee, S.M. Kuo, et al., Investigation on the thermal expansion behavior of FeCoNi and Fe₃₀Co₃₀Ni₃₀Cr_10−xMn_x high entropy alloys, Mater. Chem. Phys., 77((0012), art. No. 124907.

[[8]] Jadhav MS, Sahane D, Verma A, Singh S. Thermal stability and thermal expansion behavior of FeCoCrNi₂Al high entropy alloy. Adv. Powder Technol., 2021, 32(2): 378,

[[9]] Behera M, Panigrahi A, Bönisch M, et al.. Structural stability and thermal expansion of TiTaNbMoZr refractory high entropy alloy. J. Alloys Compd., 2022, 892: 162154,

[[10]] S.C. Zhou, C.D. Dai, H.X. Hou, Y.P. Lu, P.K. Liaw, and Y. Zhang, A remarkable toughening high-entropy-alloy wire with a bionic bamboo fiber heterogeneous structure, Scripta Mater., 226(2023), art. No. 115234.

[[11]] Zhao YY. . Superplasticity of Cu–Sn and Ni–Mn–Ga Shape Memory Microwires by Glass-Coated Melt Spinning Technique, 2015 Beijing University of Science and Technology Beijing 75

[[12]] Chen XH, Zhang XC, Zhang Y, Chen GL. Processing and structures of porous bulk metallic glass with unidirectional opening pores. Rare Met. Mater. Eng., 2008, 37(Suppl.4): 695

[[13]] Yue YY, Yan XH, Zhang Y. Nano-fiber-structured Cantor alloy films prepared by sputtering. J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2022, 21: 1120,

[[14]] Wu YQ, Cai YS, Hao JP, et al.. Co_47.5Fe_28.5Ni₁₉Si_3.3Al_1.7 high-entropy skeletons fabricated by selective laser melting and properties tuned by pressure infiltration of Al. Res. Appl. Mater. Sci., 2022, 4(2): 24,

[[15]] X.F. Song, P.K. Liaw, Z.Y. Wei, et al., Evolution of the microstructures, magnetic and mechanical behaviors of Co_47.5Fe_28.5Ni₁₉Si_3.4Al_1.6 high-entropy alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion, Addit. Manuf., 71(2023), art. No. 103593.

[[16]] Shi PJ, Li RG, Li Y, et al.. Hierarchical crack buffering triples ductility in eutectic herringbone high-entropy alloys. Science, 2021, 373(6557): 912,

[[17]] Li DY, Zhang Y. The ultrahigh charpy impact toughness of forged ALCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys at room and cryogenic temperatures. Intermetallics, 2016, 70: 24,

[[18]] Li DY, Li ZM, Xie L, Zhang Y, Wang WR. Cryogenic mechanical behavior of a TRIP-assisted dual-phase high-entropy alloy. Nano Res., 2022, 15(6): 4859,

[[19]] Y.Z. Wang, Z.M. Jiao, G.B. Bian, et al., Dynamic tension and constitutive model in Fe₄₀Mn₂₀Cr₂₀Ni₂₀ high-entropy alloys with a heterogeneous structure, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 839(2022), art. No. 142837.

[[20]] Y.Q. Tang and D.Y. Li, Dynamic response of high-entropy alloys to ballistic impact, Sci. Adv., 8(2022), No. 32, art. No. eabp9096.

[[21]] W.R. Zhang, Y.S. Li, P. Liaw, and Y. Zhang, A strategic design route to find a depleted uranium high-entropy alloy with great strength, Metals, 12(2022), No. 4, art. No. 699.

[[22]] J. Shi, Y.Z. Zhang, X. Wang, et al., Microstructure and mechanical properties of UNbTiHf_1−xMo_x high-entropy alloys, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 860(2022), art. No. 144239.

[[23]] Li YS, Liaw PK, Zhang Y. Microstructures and properties of the low-density Al₁₅Zr₄₀Ti₂₈Nb₁₂M(Cr, Mo, Si)₅ high-entropy alloys. Metals, 2022, 12: 496,

[[24]] Yan XH, Liaw PK, Zhang Y. Ultrastrong and ductile BCC high-entropy alloys with low-density via dislocation regulation and nanoprecipitates. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2022, 110: 109,

[[25]] Yi JJ, Cao FY, Xu MQ, Yang L, Wang L, Zeng L. Phase, microstructure and compressive properties of refractory high-entropy alloys CrHfNbTaTi and CrHfMoTaTi. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2022, 29(6): 1231,

[[26]] M.A. Khan, M. Hamza, J. Brechtl, et al., Development and characterization of a low-density TiNbZrAlTa refractory high entropy alloy with enhanced compressive strength and plasticity, Mater. Charact, 205(2023), art. No. 113301.

[[27]] M. Abubaker Khan, T.L. Wang, C.S. Feng, et al., A superb mechanical behavior of newly developed lightweight and ductile Al_0.5Ti₂Nb₁Zr₁W_x refractory high entropy alloy via nanoprecipitates and dislocations induced-deformation, Mater. Des., 222(2022), art. No. 111034.

[[28]] Liu XF, Tian ZL, Zhang XF, et al.. “Self-sharpening” tungsten high-entropy alloy. Acta Mater., 2020, 186: 257,

[[29]] Jin K, Lu C, Wang LM, et al.. Effects of compositional complexity on the ion-irradiation induced swelling and hardening in Ni-containing equiatomic alloys. Scripta Mater., 2016, 119: 65,

[[30]] King DJM, Cheung STY, Humphry-Baker SA, et al.. High temperature, low neutron cross-section high-entropy alloys in the Nb–Ti–V–Zr system. Acta Mater., 2019, 166: 435,

[[31]] R.X. Li, Z. Ren, Y. Wu, et al., Mechanical behaviors and precipitation transformation of the lightweight high-Zn-content Al–Zn–Li–Mg–Cu alloy, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 802(2021), art. No. 140637.

[[32]] Y.R. Shi, W.T. Ye, D.P. Hua, et al., Interfacial engineering for enhanced mechanical performance: High-entropy alloy/graphene nanocomposites, Mater. Today. Phys., 38(2023), art. No. 101220.