Author Identifier (ORCID)
Lai Chang Zhang: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0661-2051
Abstract
Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) are being developed to meet mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements that exceed what current super-alloys can withstand. This review explains how composition design, processing routes and the resulting microstructures now combine to realize that potential. We first link phase selection in BCC-, FCC- and dual-phase RHEAs to atomic-size mismatch, mixing enthalpy and valence-electron concentration, and compare manufacturing paths ranging from arc melting to powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing and vapor deposition, showing how each reshapes grain structure and defect chemistry to improve high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance and irradiation tolerance. Computation-led tools—density-functional theory, calculation of phase diagrams and machine learning—shrink the enormous composition space and predict phase stability, transformation paths and oxidation behavior with increasing accuracy. At the same time, metastable TRIP/TWIP alloys, coherent superlattices and nanoscale heterostructures demonstrate that chemical complexity can overcome the traditional trade-off between strength, ductility and damage tolerance. We propose that combining multiscale simulation, in situ characterization and closed-loop data analysis will speed up the transition of RHEAs from laboratory studies to working engineering components.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
3-1-2026
Volume
5
Issue
1
Publication Title
Materials Futures
Publisher
IOP
School
Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing / School of Engineering
Funders
National Key Research and Development Program of China (2024YFE0109000) / National Natural Science Foundation of China (52274387, 52311530772) / Medical-Engineering Cross Foundation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (YG2024LC04) / Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (G2023QNA21)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Jiang, D., Zhang, L., Wang, K., Ebrahimi, M., Wang, W., Wang, L., Lu, W., & Zhang, D. (2025). Emerging design paradigms and microstructural innovations in refractory high-entropy alloys: A critical review. Materials Futures, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5724/ae15ac