PNNL

Abstract

Exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability are characteristics of high entropy alloys (HEA) which make it a promising class of candidate materials for demanding applications such as nuclear reactors, aerospace, and other extreme environments. However, down-selection of alloy compositions for specific applications remains a major challenge due to altering properties arising from minor elemental change. Therefore, existing literature exploring HEAs focuses heavily on element selection and composition variation, while significantly less attention is given to examining the techniques used to manufacture the alloy itself, despite evidence suggesting that the manufacturing techniques can have a considerable impact on mechanical properties. The primary goal of this review is to compile information of various synthesis techniques currently being used for manufacturing HEAs and identify the strengths, weaknesses, and known issues along with regimes where these can be used to optimize properties. Here, we shall cover the impact of processing conditions on mechanical and microstructural properties of well-known HEA systems, offering actionable insights for optimizing manufacturing strategies. Researchers and engineers will benefit from this work for selecting the most suitable processing technique to achieve desired performance, bridging a critical gap in HEA development.