An understanding of high entropy alloys from phase diagram calculations

The concept of High Entropy Alloy (HEA) is understood from the point of view of phase diagram calculation. The role of entropy of mixing on the phase stability is discussed for both ideal and non-ideal solid solution phases. The relative stability of a solid solution phase and line compounds is illustrated using hypothetical systems. Calculated binary and multicomponent phase diagrams are used to explain the phenomena observed experimentally for HEAs. The potential of using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) approach in aiding the design of alloys with multiple key components is also discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.