Combinatorial Design of Novel Multiprincipal Element Alloys Using Experimental Techniques

Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs) including high-entropy alloys are in the focus of materials science since many MPEA compositions exhibit outstanding mechanical and physical properties. These alloys contain 3-6 constituents with similar fractions; therefore, MPEAs correspond to the unexplored middle part of the phase diagrams. The phase composition and the performance of MPEAs are strongly influenced by their chemistry. Thus, it is very important to reveal the correlation between the composition, the structure, and the properties of MPEAs. On the other hand, this task is challenging due to the vast composition space of these alloys. The processing and characterization of combinatorial specimens can yield a fast mapping of compositional libraries of MPEAs. Herein, the experimental techniques developed for manufacturing and investigation of these alloys are overviewed and the results are critically discussed. Finally, further development directions in the field of combinatorial MPEAs are recommended in order to improve the study of the different alloy compositions. In this perspective article, the experimental methods developed for production and characterization of combinatorial multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs) including high-entropy alloys are overviewed and compared. Combinatorial MPEA samples can be effectively used for fast mapping of compositional libraries in order to explore the optimal MPEA composition for desired performance.image (c) 2023 WILEY-VCH GmbH