The most sustainable high entropy alloys for the future

Abstract

Abstract Because of the enormous number of potential compositions comparable to the number of stars in the universe, high entropy alloys (HEAs) are a virtually endless source of materials possessing versatile properties. Among them, HEAs are promising substitutes for critical elements such as rare earths or platinum group metals. Random or incremental development methods are neither practical nor efficient for exploration. Targeted guessing with sustainability in mind is a necessary enabler, but choosing the suitable sustainable composition of HEAs is challenging. In this paper, we examine the most sustainable HEAs among 30,201 alloys and extract the best 500 that will most likely shape the future of humanity. We consider various sustainability criteria such as carbon footprint, ESG ratings, production compatibility levels and reserves. The results provide a roadmap for HEA scientists and direct their experimental efforts towards the most sustainable compositions, supporting industry efforts while preserving time and resources.