Enhancing properties of high-entropy alloys via manipulation of local chemical ordering

It is gradually accepted that the presence of local chemical orderings (LCOs) is a common structural feature of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) due to their large chemical complexity and high configuration entropy. The formation and characterization of LCOs in HEAs, as well as the challenges regarding this topic were discussed in our previous viewpoint paper. In this short communication, we highlight the significant effects of LCOs on physical and mechanical properties. In addition, efforts on how to improve the properties via manipulation of these LCOs will be summarized and explored. Apparently, this paper attempts to understand the unique properties of HEAs from the standpoint of their intrinsic atomic-scale structural fingerprints, and ultimately to establish a link between their prominent properties and distinct structural characteristics.