Recent progress of tungsten-based high-entropy alloys in nuclear fusion

The extreme environment in a fusion reactor, namely high thermal load and intense energetic particles, requires the materials to possess high strength and good ductility at high temperature in combination with excellent radiation resistance. Conventional metal tungsten (W) and its alloy cannot satisfy these rigorous requirements, but the discovery of the W-based high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with outstanding properties sheds light on the developments of structural materials. Unique properties of some of these alloys make them promising candidates for engineering applications in fusion reactor beyond conventional W and its alloys. In particular, their strengthening-toughening mechanism has also aroused wide concern. Here, the design, microstructure, mechanical properties and irradiation performance of W-based HEAs are reviewed, and their future prospects are outlined.