Synthesis and Characterization of High‐Entropy CrMoNbTaVW Thin Films Using High‐Throughput Methods

Abstract

High‐entropy alloys (HEAs) or complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) offer a huge research area for new material compositions and potential applications. Since the combination of several elements sometimes leads to unexpected and unpredictable material properties. In addition to the element combinations, the optimization of the element proportions in CCAs and HEAs is also a decisive factor in tailoring desired material properties. However, it is almost impossible to achieve the composition and characterization of CCAs and HEAs with a sufficient number of compositions by conventional experiments. Therefore, an optimized high‐throughput magnetron sputtering synthesis to fabricate a new HEA gradient layer of six elements is presented. With this approach, the compositional space of the HEA system CrMoNbTaVW can be studied in different subsections to determine the influence of the individual elements and their combinations on the structure, morphology, and physical properties (hardness and resistivity). It is found that the Cr‐, Ta‐, and W‐rich phases, which have a grain size of 10–11 nm, exhibit the hardest mechanical properties, whereas V‐, Ta‐, and Cr‐rich compounds exhibit the highest electrical resistivity. The combination of high‐throughput synthesis, automated analysis tools, and automated data interpretation enables rapid and time‐efficient characterization of the novel CrMoNbTaVW gradient film.

Combinatorial Design of an Electroplated Multi-Principal Element Alloy: A Case Study in the Co-Fe-Ni-Zn Alloy System

“…The advantage of combinatorial materials is that many different compositions coexist in a single sample, thereby reducing the time and effort required for mapping a full compositional library. Combinatorial samples in the form of thin films have been manufactured using plasma solid-state surface metallurgy [25], magnetron sputtering [26], plasma sputtering [27], and multibeam sputtering [28,29]. Combinatorial MPEA layers were successfully employed to investigate the composition-dependent microstructure and mechanical properties.…”

Fabrication of PtIrPd Noble Metal Medium Entropy Alloy Thin Film by Atomic Layer Deposition

“…[13] Alloys with ΔS mix < 1 R, 1 R < ΔS mix < 1.5 R, and ΔS mix > 1.5 R are defined as low entropy alloy, MEA, and HEAs, respectively, each of which shows unique physical and chemical properties. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] As the intermediate state between low entropy alloy and HEA, MEA possesses the key advantages of both systems: it is much easier to be achieved in form of a single-phase solid solution while retaining the lattice distortion and synergetic effects without phase separation. [22] The improved properties, especially superior mechanical performances brought by the microstructure of MEA have been widely reported in recent years.…”