Design using randomness: a new dimension for metallurgy

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of atomic-scale randomness in high entropy alloys as a new design dimension, expanding traditional metallurgical principles to better control defect behavior and alloy properties.

Contribution

It proposes a novel alloy design strategy leveraging atomic-scale randomness and compositional complexity to enhance multi-performance in engineering applications.

Findings

Atomic-scale randomness influences defect behavior.

New length and energy scales affect alloy properties.

Broader design space for high entropy alloys.

Abstract

High entropy alloys add a new dimension, atomic-scale randomness and the associated scale-dependent composition fluctuations, to the traditional metallurgical axes of time-temperature-composition-microstructure. Alloy performance is controlled by the energies and motion of defects (dislocations, grain boundaries, vacancies, cracks, ...). Randomness at the atomic scale can introduce new length and energy scales that can control defect behavior, and hence control alloy properties. The axis of atomic-scale randomness combined with the huge compositional space in multicomponent alloys thus enables, in tandem with still-valid traditional principles, a new broader alloy design strategy that may help achieve the multi-performance requirements of many engineering applications.