Application of high entropy alloy in aluminum/steel (Al/Fe) dissimilar welding

Abstract Dissimilar material welding, especially aluminum/steel welding, is widely researched and applied in industrial manufacturing. However, many hard and brittle compounds will be formed in the Al/Fe dissimilar welding process because of their different properties. This leads to cracking and a consequent reduction in the plastic toughness of the welded joints, which would limit the use of Al/Fe weldments in practical industrial applications. Many studies have inhibited the formation of intermetallic compounds by adding different interlayers to regulate the elements in welded joints. Therefore, high entropy alloys (HEAs) are also used as intermediate layers in the study of Al/Fe welding. This paper reviews the current status of research on welded aluminum/steel materials with high entropy alloys as interlayers. The influence of HEA compositions and welding process on the mechanical properties and organizational evolution of welded joints were compared and analyzed. Studies have shown that the addition of HEAs as an intermediate layer reduces the brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) generated by steel-aluminum and effectively improves the quality of welded joints. Further research on the application of HEA in Al/Fe welding is expected to solve the problems existing in Al/Fe welding and has very high research value.