China scientists turn to ‘Terminator’ liquid metal in alloy breakthrough

“Even reviewers from Nature found the results ‘unbelievable’ when they first saw the manuscript.”

To address the sceptics, the researchers conducted further experiments and analysis, as well as a more rigorous explanation of the synthesis mechanism and extra theoretical calculations.

Their results prove that metals synthesised by the new method are no different in composition or structure from traditional methods, and without compromising performance, according to the paper.

The breakthrough would make the creation and manufacture of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) – composed of five or more principal metallic elements – easier and more efficient, the researchers said.

Compared to traditional alloy materials, HEAs are more resistant to wear, fatigue and corrosion, giving them significant potential in aerospace, medical equipment, as well as energy conversion and storage.

While their potential benefits have made HEAs a focus for researchers in recent years, the extremely high temperatures needed to achieve synthesis of the alloy materials have remained a barrier to their development.

According to Fu, synthesising high-entropy alloys can be challenging because the different metallic atoms are not necessarily compatible.

“It’s like trying to make a cohesive group out of five people with different natures and personalities. Any disagreements can easily break up the group,” he said.

To achieve synthesis by traditional methods, the alloy materials must be heated to 2,000 degrees Celsius (3,632 Fahrenheit) and then rapidly cooled.

But Fu’s team brought the preparation temperature down to a more manageable 650 Celsius (1,202 Fahrenheit), using a liquid metal called gallium as a reaction medium and adhesive, the paper said.