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New Advances in High Entropy Alloys
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New Advances in High Entropy Alloys

A Special Issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944) belonging to the section "Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2026) | Viewed by 10051

Editors

Dr. Anthoula Poulia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
Interests: mechanical, tribological and magnetic properties of high-entropy alloys
Dr. Alexander E. Karantzalis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: phase formation in high-entropy alloys; mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys; surface degradation phenomena in high-entropy alloys
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as a transformative class of materials characterized by their unique multi-principal-element compositions, which often lead to exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.

This Special Issue explores recent advances in HEA design, processing, characterization, and applications, with a focus on understanding their underlying atomic-scale mechanisms, phase stability, and performance in extreme environments.

Contributions cover theoretical and experimental approaches to HEA development, including novel alloying strategies, additive manufacturing techniques, and the role of entropy in governing material properties.

Special attention is given to the potential of HEAs in structural, aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications, while additional technological areas can also be included.

By bringing together interdisciplinary research, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the discovery and deployment of HEAs in next-generation engineering solutions.

Dr. Anthoula Poulia
Dr. Alexander E. Karantzalis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4712 KB  
Article
Surface Engineering of Non-Equiatomic TiZrNbTaMo HEA by MAO Treatment in a Cu-Rich Electrolyte for Biomedical Applications
by Samuel P. Bonetti, Jhuliene E. M. Torrento, Carlos R. Grandini, Tiago dos S. P. de Sousa, Gerson S. de Almeida, Willian F. Zambuzzi and Diego R. N. Correa
Materials 2026, 19(1), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19010174 - 3 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1220
Abstract
This study evaluated the surface functionalization of a non-equiatomic TiZrNbTaMo high-entropy alloy (HEA) by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in Cu-rich electrolytes to tailor its performance for biomedical implants. The Cu content was varied, and the resulting coatings were investigated for their morphology, phase constitution, [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the surface functionalization of a non-equiatomic TiZrNbTaMo high-entropy alloy (HEA) by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in Cu-rich electrolytes to tailor its performance for biomedical implants. The Cu content was varied, and the resulting coatings were investigated for their morphology, phase constitution, chemical structure, wettability, and cytocompatibility. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements of the substrate indicated a body-centered cubic (BCC) matrix with minor HCP features, while the MAO-treated samples depicted amorphous halo with sparse reflections assignable to CaCO3, CaO, and CaPO4. Chemical spectroscopic analyses identified the presence of stable oxides (TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, MoO3) and the successful incorporation of bioactive elements (Ca, P, Mg) together with traces of Cu, mainly as Cu2O. MAO treatment increased surface roughness and rendered a hydrophilic behavior, which are features typically favorable to osseointegration process. In vitro cytotoxic assays with MC3T3-E1 cells (24 h) showed that Cu addition did not induce harmful effects, maintaining or improving cell viability and adhesion compared to the controls. Collectively, MAO in Cu-rich electrolyte yielded porous, bioactive, and Cu-incorporated oxide coatings on TiZrNbTaMo HEA, preserving cytocompatibility and supporting their potential for biomedical applications like orthopedic implants and bone-fixation devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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16 pages, 6990 KB  
Article
Role of Heat Treatment Atmosphere on the Microstructure and Surface Morphology of DLP-Fabricated High-Entropy Alloy Components
by Jui-Ting Liang, Ting-Hsiang Lin, Vivekanandan Alangadu Kothandan and Shih-Hsun Chen
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245607 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 719
Abstract
AlCrFeNiSi high-entropy alloy (HEA) components were fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, followed by debinding under oxygen-rich and oxygen-deficient atmospheres and sintering at various temperatures. The influence of atmosphere on microstructural evolution, elemental redistribution, and mechanical consolidation was systematically investigated. Oxygen-rich [...] Read more.
AlCrFeNiSi high-entropy alloy (HEA) components were fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, followed by debinding under oxygen-rich and oxygen-deficient atmospheres and sintering at various temperatures. The influence of atmosphere on microstructural evolution, elemental redistribution, and mechanical consolidation was systematically investigated. Oxygen-rich debinding induced oxidation-driven gas formation and surface cracking, whereas oxygen-deficient debinding preserved residual carbon that reduced porosity and enabled earlier densification. The layered microstructure progressively vanished with temperature, and full consolidation was achieved at 1100 °C in oxygen-rich and 1050 °C in oxygen-deficient environments. Correspondingly, both processing conditions yielded similar maximum compressive strengths (~5 MPa), although the oxygen-deficient condition attained this strength at a lower temperature. These findings demonstrate that controlling oxygen exposure during debinding provides an effective pathway to reduce the sintering temperature while maintaining the mechanical performance of DLP-printed AlCrFeNiSi HEA components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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15 pages, 5165 KB  
Article
Carbon-Induced Structural Evolution and Synergistic Enhancement of Wear and Corrosion Resistance in (AlFeCoNi)C High-Entropy Alloy Carbide Films
by Duoli Chen, Yefeng Zhou, Xianting Yang, Mengyuan Guo, Jun Liang, Deming Huang, Yu Ni, Yurong Zhou, Yantao Li and Xin Jiang
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184411 - 22 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 954
Abstract
The (AlFeCoNi)C high-entropy alloy carbide films (HECFs) with tunable carbon contents were fabricated by magnetron sputtering to investigate the carbon-driven structural evolution and its coupling effects on mechanical and chemical properties. With increasing carbon incorporation (0–47.6 at.%), the HECFs formed a composite structure [...] Read more.
The (AlFeCoNi)C high-entropy alloy carbide films (HECFs) with tunable carbon contents were fabricated by magnetron sputtering to investigate the carbon-driven structural evolution and its coupling effects on mechanical and chemical properties. With increasing carbon incorporation (0–47.6 at.%), the HECFs formed a composite structure of amorphous phase and BCC nanocrystalline phase, as evidenced by XRD and TEM. Atom probe tomography (APT) reveals Al segregation in the film. Remarkably, the wear rate decreases exponentially from 4.8 × 10−5 to 6.7 × 10−6 mm3/N·m, attributed to the amorphous carbon phase acting as solid lubricant. Simultaneously, the corrosion current density reduces by two orders of magnitude (7.2 × 10−8 A/cm2 in 3.5% NaCl), benefiting from the amorphous network inhibiting ion diffusion pathways. This work establishes a carbon-content–property correlation paradigm for designing multifunctional HEA films in extreme environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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21 pages, 7349 KB  
Article
Effect of Ti Doping of Al0.7CoCrFeNi-Based High Entropy Alloys on Their Erosion Resistance by Solid Particles
by Wojciech J. Nowak, Tadeusz Kubaszek, Andrzej Gradzik, Małgorzata Grądzka-Dahlke, Dariusz Perkowski, Marzena Tokarewicz, Mariusz Walczak and Mirosław Szala
Materials 2025, 18(14), 3328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143328 - 15 Jul 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1217
Abstract
The erosion resistance of materials against solid particles is a very important property, especially in the transportation of powders or in aeronautics (dust inside jet engines). There is a strong need to introduce new materials that have higher solid particle erosion resistance than [...] Read more.
The erosion resistance of materials against solid particles is a very important property, especially in the transportation of powders or in aeronautics (dust inside jet engines). There is a strong need to introduce new materials that have higher solid particle erosion resistance than state-of-the-art materials. Thus, in the present work, the solid erosion particles of high entropy alloys (HEAs) based on the Al0.7CoCrFeNi matrix were studied compared to the state-of-the-art stainless steel AISI 304. Furthermore, the effect of the addition of Ti to HEAs on hardness and erosion resistance was investigated. Current research included the development of the chemical composition of a new kind of HEA designed on the basis of thermodynamical calculations performed in CALPHAD, its manufacturing, full characterization involving microstructural and phase analyses, hardness measurements, solid particle erosion tests, and finally, the elucidation of erosion mechanisms. It was found that HEAs showed higher hardness as well as erosion resistance than AISI 304. Moreover, it was found that the increase in Ti content in an HEA resulted in an increase in the hardness and resistance to the erosion of the studied HEA. As the main reason for this phenomenon, the stabilization of the β-BCC phase, suppression of the α-FCC phase, and the appearance of the Ni3Ti phase in the studied HEA were claimed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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Review

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60 pages, 2883 KB  
Review
Laser Additively Manufactured High-Entropy Alloys via Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Laser-Directed Energy Deposition: Process–Structure–Property Relationships and Design Strategies
by Meng-Yun Lee, Hyoung Seop Kim and An-Chou Yeh
Materials 2026, 19(15), 3190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19153190 - 26 Jul 2026
Viewed by 971
Abstract
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) offer attractive combinations of mechanical performance, thermal stability, and compositional flexibility, making them promising candidates for advanced structural applications. Laser-based additive manufacturing, particularly laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and laser-directed energy deposition (LDED), enables the fabrication of geometrically complex HEA [...] Read more.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) offer attractive combinations of mechanical performance, thermal stability, and compositional flexibility, making them promising candidates for advanced structural applications. Laser-based additive manufacturing, particularly laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and laser-directed energy deposition (LDED), enables the fabrication of geometrically complex HEA components with non-equilibrium microstructures. However, the distinct thermal histories of LPBF and LDED, with typical cooling rates of approximately 105–107 K s−1 and 102–104 K s−1, respectively, strongly govern solidification behavior, elemental segregation, residual stress development, defect formation, and mechanical properties. Although previous reviews have discussed additively manufactured HEAs, an integrated framework linking composition design, printability, LPBF/LDED processing, microstructural evolution, post-processing, and industrial qualification remains limited. Therefore, this review establishes a unified composition–process–structure–property framework for laser additively manufactured HEAs. Fundamental HEA concepts, LPBF/LDED process characteristics, solidification behavior, phase formation, defect evolution, and mechanical performance from ambient to elevated temperatures are systematically discussed across representative FCC, refractory, and dual-phase HEA systems. This review emphasizes that printability should be considered during alloy design by correlating composition-dependent solidification characteristics, cracking susceptibility, phase stability, and defect formation with mechanical performance. Post-processing treatments are shown to modify residual stress, microsegregation, precipitation behavior, porosity, and deformation mechanisms, although their benefits must be balanced against thermal softening or brittle phase formation. Finally, CALPHAD, integrated computational materials engineering (ICME), machine learning (ML), and in situ monitoring are identified as promising tools for accelerating alloy and process optimization, while reproducible process windows, defect-control criteria, databases, and qualification protocols remain essential for industrial implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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55 pages, 3943 KB  
Review
Latest Advancements and Mechanistic Insights into High-Entropy Alloys: Design, Properties and Applications
by Anthoula Poulia and Alexander E. Karantzalis
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245616 - 14 Dec 2025
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4140
Abstract
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of multi-principal element materials composed of five or more elements in near-equimolar ratios. This unique compositional design generates high configurational entropy, which stabilizes simple solid solution phases and reduces the tendency for intermetallic compound formation. Unlike conventional [...] Read more.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of multi-principal element materials composed of five or more elements in near-equimolar ratios. This unique compositional design generates high configurational entropy, which stabilizes simple solid solution phases and reduces the tendency for intermetallic compound formation. Unlike conventional alloys, HEAs exhibit a combination of properties that are often mutually exclusive, such as high strength and ductility, excellent thermal stability, superior corrosion and oxidation resistance. The exceptional mechanical performance of HEAs is attributed to mechanisms including lattice distortion strengthening, sluggish diffusion, and multiple active deformation pathways such as dislocation slip, twinning, and phase transformation. Advanced characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atom probe tomography (APT), and in situ mechanical testing have revealed the complex interplay between microstructure and properties. Computational approaches, including CALPHAD modeling, density functional theory (DFT), and machine learning, have significantly accelerated HEA design, allowing prediction of phase stability, mechanical behavior, and environmental resistance. Representative examples include the FCC-structured CoCrFeMnNi alloy, known for its exceptional cryogenic toughness, Al-containing dual-phase HEAs, such as AlCoCrFeNi, which exhibit high hardness and moderate ductility and refractory HEAs, such as NbMoTaW, which maintain ultra-high strength at temperatures above 1200 °C. Despite these advances, challenges remain in controlling microstructural homogeneity, understanding long-term environmental stability, and developing cost-effective manufacturing routes. This review provides a comprehensive and analytical study of recent progress in HEA research (focusing on literature from 2022–2025), covering thermodynamic fundamentals, design strategies, processing techniques, mechanical and chemical properties, and emerging applications, through highlighting opportunities and directions for future research. In summary, the review’s unique contribution lies in offering an up-to-date, mechanistically grounded, and computationally informed study on the HEAs research-linking composition, processing, structure, and properties to guide the next phase of alloy design and application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in High Entropy Alloys)
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