Advances in the Functional Performance of Low-to-High-Entropy Alloys: Corrosion and Tribological Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Metals, titled “Advances in the Functional Performance of Low-to-High-Entropy Alloys: Corrosion and Tribological Perspectives”, explores the evolving landscape of functional properties in metallic systems. Spanning from conventional alloys to complex medium-/high-entropy systems, this Special Issue emphasizes integrated insights into the composition–process–microstructure–property paradigm to guide the design of metallic materials for next-generation applications.

Corrosion and tribological behavior are critical functional properties that drive material degradation, leading to significant economic losses, safety risks, and environmental impact. These issues account for up to 5% of national GDP annually, with a substantial portion allocated to inspection and maintenance. However, research indicates that improved understanding and design can reduce these losses by at least 50%, decreasing the material footprint, enhancing reliability, and promoting sustainability through optimized performance and lifecycle management.

Both corrosion and tribological performance are system-dependent, influenced not only by the intrinsic properties of alloys but also by complex interactions with environments. These properties are fundamentally tied to composition, processing, and microstructure, which dictate electrochemical/tribological behavior under service conditions. Precise control over these variables provides a pathway to engineer both surface and bulk properties for enhanced resistance to wear and corrosion in alloys. Additionally, advanced manufacturing methods such as additive manufacturing form complex microstructures (heterogeneous grains, residual stresses, and solute segregation), which challenge the conventional understanding of corrosion and wear in metallic systems. Similarly, entropy alloys, with their vast compositional flexibility and microstructural complexity, remain inadequately understood in terms of their electrochemical and tribological behavior. Thus, a deeper mechanistic understanding is essential to fully unlock the functional potential of these emerging materials.

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and short communications on metallic systems—ranging from conventional to entropy alloys—focused on tailoring corrosion and tribological properties through composition, manufacturing routes (including post-processing), and microstructural control.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Bhaskaranand Bhatt
Prof. Dr. Mariangela Lombardi
Guest Editors

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