Application of high-entropy alloys

From accumulated information on structure, properties, stability, and methods of manufacturing the high-entropy alloys (HEA) created early in the 21 century it follows that they possess a whole complex of useful properties that suggests their perspective application in different branches of industry. The authors have made a short review of scientific articles on analysis of possibilities of HEA application in specific science-consuming branches of the last 5 years. In biomedicine the protective coatings made of (TiZrNbHfTa)N and (TiZrNbHfTa)O HEAs possess biocompatibility, high level of mechanical properties, high wear- and corrosion resistance in physiological media, and excellent adhesion. Products made of (MoTa)_χNbTiZr passed clinical tests successfully when being implanted to living muscular tissue. The developed HEAs based on rare-earth elements and metals of Fe group such as YbTbDyAlMe (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) possess magnetocaloric effect, have Curie temperature close to room one and may be used in modern refrigerator mechanisms. Changing in stoichiometric composition of CoCrFeNiTi HEAs, alloying them and performing thermal treatment, the researchers succeed in obtaining soft magnetic materials. Fields of HEA application are presented as following: catalysts of ammonia oxidation - (PtPdRhRuCe), ammonia decomposition - (RuRhCoNiIr), oxidation of aromatic alcohols - (Co_0,2Ni_0,2Cu_0,2Mg_0,2Zn_0,2 ), electric catalysts of hydrogen extraction - (Ni₂₀Fe₂₀Mo₁₀Cr₁₅Co₃₅ ), redox reactions (AlCuNiPtMn and AlNiCuPtPdAu), and oxidation of methanol/ethanol. HEAs can be used as electrodes - anodes and cathodes for Li-ion and Na-ion accumulators. Synthesized nanoporous HEA AlCoCrFeNi has high bulk density up to 700 F/cm³ and cyclic stability (>3000 cycles) and is used in supercapacitors. High-entropy oxides such as (MgNiCoCuZn)_0.95Li_0.05O with high dielectric properties in a wide frequency range may be used in electronic converters. Examples of HEA application are given: as coatings of ship parts being operated in sea water, various welded joints, parts of nuclear reactors. Perspectives of widening the fields of HEA application are indicated.

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