Can an amorphous alloy crystallize into a high entropy alloy?

On the premise that amorphous-high entropy alloy composites could demonstrate high toughness and resistance to embrittlement akin to the glassy-solid solution composites, we develop a thermodynamics based approach to identify chemical compositions supporting the amorphous to high entropy alloy transformation. Using this thermodynamic approach, we introduce two new parameters called phase selection value and molar volume dispersity and propose seven multi-component compositions which could undergo the amorphous to high entropy alloy transformation. The analysis reveals that bulk metallic glasses may not be supportive of this transformation.

Automated summary

We developed a thermodynamics-based approach to identify chemical compositions that support the transformation from amorphous to high entropy alloy. Two new parameters, phase selection value and molar volume dispersity, were introduced and seven multi-component compositions were proposed. The analysis revealed that bulk metallic glasses may not be supportive of this transformation.