Irradiation Effects in High-Entropy Alloys and Their Applications

Dear Colleagues,

New high-performance structural materials that can survive radiation are urgently needed since existing nuclear structural materials are far from being able to meet the needs of advanced nuclear energy systems. On the one hand, irradiation occurs everywhere and is a major contributor to the deterioration and even failure of nuclear structural materials, particularly the material irradiation damage effect in a strong irradiation field. The research and development of nuclear structural materials that have great mechanical strength, resistance to wear and irradiation, as well as resistance to corrosion under extreme conditions, has been the primary focus of attention around the world.

In principle, multicomponent alloys or high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a promising class of structural materials for cutting-edge nuclear energy systems, thus their irradiation-damaging effects need to be thoroughly investigated. Recent studies have shown that certain medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) and HEAs have outstanding combined properties, such as high strength and high toughness, resistance to corrosion and irradiation, and the capacity to withstand high temperatures and high pressures. Moreover, their efficiency could be enhanced further by adding special elements and using advanced fabrication methods such as additive manufacturing, 3D printing, directional Solidification, a laser-plasma driven route, or a high-energy electron beam platform.

Consequently, these multicomponent alloys should have a wide range of uses in the field of advanced nuclear energy systems, and additional engineering applications must be evaluated to accelerate the process of their industrial implementation.

Accordingly, this Special Issue focuses on newly designed structural materials (HEAs or MEAs) that perform well in extreme environments such as high temperature, high pressure, severe corrosion, high wear resistance, high strain rate impact, and high irradiation damage levels, which are all critical and urgent. Authors are urged to contribute their most recent findings and conclusions, which may include original publications or reviews.

Dr. Jamieson Brechtl
Dr. Muhammad Abubaker Khan
Guest Editors

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