Research progress in tribological properties of high entropy alloys

Abstract

In recent years, the sudden rise of high entropy alloys (HEAs) has become a hot research topic in the field of metal materials. The high entropy alloy is located in the central region of phase diagram, which has broad alloy composition space and possible formation of microstructure. The synergistic regulation of composition and preparation process can obtain richer structure. Unconventional chemical structure is expected to break through the performance limit of traditional anti-wear and lubricating alloys. In this work, the classification of wear-resistant HEAs was discussed. The effects of the addition of chemically active metals, soft metals and refractory metals on the wear resistance and lubrication properties of HEAs were analyzed. The effects of non-metallic elements and ceramic phases on the tribological properties of HEAs matrix composites were summarized. The effects of heat treatment and surface engineering technology on the surface microstructure and tribological behavior of HEAs were reviewed. The design method of HEAs with anti-wear lubrication under severe working conditions was discussed. The future research and application of HEAs in the field of friction and wear were prospected. High entropy alloys have great potential to solve the bottleneck problems of traditional alloys, such as to realize stable lubrication and anti-wear under extreme working conditions and to ensure anti-wear under specific functions.

Keywords

• high entropy alloy
• anti-wear
• lubrication
• application prospect