Recent progress in high-entropy alloys: A focused review of preparation processes and properties

In recent years, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted tremendous attention in various fields. With multiple-principal elements and multiple core effects, giving them different organizational structures and unique properties compared with conventional alloys, providing unlimited development potential and bringing promising potential applications for HEAs. After almost 30 years of development, the preparation and research methods of HEAs have greatly expanded, the systems have been optimized, and their application scope has broadened. Here, we provided a comprehensive review of the development of the preparation processes firstly, including block, coating, wire, powder, and additively-manufactured HEAs. In addition, a series of findings on crucial properties of HEAs are also summarized, such as mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance at high temperatures, as well as novel functional properties such as irradiation resistance, hydrogen storage, and biocompatibility, etc. Finally, existing shortcomings of HEAs as well as future trends and prospects are put forward.