A brief review of metastable high-entropy alloys with transformation-induced plasticity

Abstract

In metastable high-entropy alloys (HEAs), the decrease of phase stability enables the development of dual-phase microstructure (interface hardening) and occurrence of strain-induced martensitic transformation (transformation-induced hardening), which overcomes the strength–ductility trade-off. The stacking-fault energy (SFE) is closely related to the phase stability and plays a key role in controlling the underlying deformation mechanism and hence the mechanical performance of HEAs. Here, we review some approaches of SFE calculation, including theoretical and experimental methods as well as the factors affecting SFE. Several compositional systems related to metastable HEAs are also briefly reviewed. Furthermore, we show the unique microstructure and the structure–property relationship of the metastable HEAs. Furthermore, some potential research topics in the future are also proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• High-entropy alloy
• transformation-induced plasticity
• stacking-fault energy
• microstructure
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51701061), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (No. E2019202059), and the foundation strengthening program (No. 2019-JCJQ-142).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51701061], the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province [grant number E2019202059], and the foundation strengthening program [grant number 2019-JCJQ-142].