Edge Dislocations Can Control Yield Strength in Refractory Body-Centered-Cubic High Entropy Alloys

Energy efficiency is motivating the search for new high-temperature metals. Some new body-centered-cubic random multicomponent "high entropy alloys (HEAs)" based on refractory elements (Cr-Mo-Nb-Ta-V-W-Hf-Ti-Zr) possess exceptional strengths at high temperatures but the physical origins of this outstanding behavior are not known. Here we show, using integrated neutron-diffraction (ND), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and theory, that the high strength and strength retention of a NbTaVTi alloy and a new high-strength/low-density CrMoNbV alloy are attributable to edge dislocations. This is surprising because plastic-flow in BCC elemental metals and dilute alloys is universally accepted to be controlled by screw dislocations. We use the insight and theory to perform a computationally-guided search over $10^7$ BCC HEAs and identify over $10^6$ possible ultra-strong high-temperature alloy compositions for future exploration.