Cantor-derived medium-entropy alloys: bridging the gap between traditional metallic and high-entropy alloys

The year 2004 marked the beginning of a new era in design metallic materials, as concept multiple principal component alloys, commonly known High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs), was proposed by Cantor and Yeh. unexpected single-phase microstructure, instead expected brittle intermetallic compounds, attributed to large entropy mixing immediately caught attention scientific community. Today, HEAs are considered important advanced materials broad range alloys using nominally same principle have been investigated. Despite that, CrMnFeCoNi (Cantor) alloy stands out most successful HEA due its outstanding mechanical properties microstructure. In this scenario, variants alloy, named medium-entropy (MEAs), gaining significant interest they display better industrial potential than both traditional alloys. These with only three or four main elements result 15 possible combinations. microstructure these is discussed terms characterization well thermodynamic parameters computational simulation. Their phase stability addressed over wide temperatures strain rates. properties, especially fracture toughness, CrFeCoNi CrCoNi reported be even superior those modern engineering This associated formation continuous sequence strengthening mechanisms, including hierarchical twin networks, which serve prolong hardening. present article reviews critically assesses, for first time, recent advances Cantor-derived MEAs.