Exploring the Potential of High Entropy Alloys: A Comprehensive Review on Microstructure, Properties, and Applications

Abstract

Over the past few years, there has been a notable surge in research interest surrounding High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) owing to their exceptional properties. Unlike conventional alloys, HEAs consist of five or more principal elements, which offer endless possibilities for developing new alloy systems. HEAs exhibit a high concentration of mixing elements, resulting in high disorderliness of the atomic structure within the material, known as high entropy. This unique nature provides HEAs with desirable properties, including excellent mechanical and physical properties at elevated temperatures, making them ideal for high-temperature applications like cryogenic engines and gas turbines. Moreover, HEAs have shown remarkable corrosion resistance, positioning them as viable options for applications in demanding environments such as marine settings, oil and gas pipelines, and chemical processing plants. This comprehensive review paper analyses recent studies on various HEAs, including their microstructure, hardness, compressive strength, magnetic and electrical properties, corrosion resistance, wear behaviour, and different applications. The anticipated findings of this paper are a milestone for future investigations on the production and analysis of HEAs. The discoveries hold great value for researchers, designers, and manufacturers working in this field, as they offer valuable knowledge regarding the characteristics and possible uses of HEAs. Consequently, these findings lay the groundwork for further exploration in this promising field of materials science.