coatings Review High Entropy Alloy Coatings and Technology Ashutosh Sharma Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea;
[email protected]; Tel.: +82-31-219-2464; Fax: +82-31-219-1613 Abstract: Recently, the materials research community has seen a great increase in the development of multicomponent alloys, known as high entropy alloys (HEAs) with extraordinary properties and applications. In surface protection and engineering, diverse applications of HEAs are also being counted to benefit from their attractive performances in various environments. Thermally sprayed HEA coatings have outperformed conventional coating materials and have accelerated further advancement in this field. Therefore, this review article overviews the initial developments and outcomes in the field of HEA coatings. The authors have also categorized these HEA coatings in metallic, ceramic, and composite HEA coatings and discussed various developments in each of the categories in detail. Various fabrication strategies, properties, and important applications of these HEAs are highlighted. Further, various issues and future possibilities in this area for coatings development are recommended. Keywords: coatings; high entropy alloy; thermal spray; electroplating; laser melting; ball milling 1. Introduction The surface is the most important component of a material that is associated with the performance of material for industrial applications. The application of various surface Citation: Sharma, A. High Entropy modification techniques allows an economic substitution of a low-grade base alloy with a Alloy Coatings and Technology. coating for better surface characteristics and performance in various demanding conditions, Coatings 2021, 11, 372. https:// e.g., thermal insulation, erosion, corrosion, and stress [1,2]. The surface quality of materials doi.org/10.3390/coatings11040372 has a greater impact on durability and performance, which cannot be ignored in design.