Numerous technological advancements in the 21st century depend on the creation of novel materials possessing enhanced properties; there is a growing reliance on materials that can be optimized to serve multiple functions. To efficiently save time and meet the requirements of diverse applications, high-throughput and combinatorial approaches are increasingly employed to explore and design superior materials. Among them, gradient thin-film deposition is one of the most mature and widely used technologies for high-throughput preparation of material libraries. This review summarizes recent progress in gradient thin-film deposition fabricated by magnetron sputtering, multi-arc ion plating, e-beam evaporation, additive manufacturing, and chemical bath deposition, providing readers with a fundamental understanding of this research field. First, high-throughput synthesis methods for gradient thin films are emphasized. Subsequently, we present the characteristics of combinatorial films, including microstructure, oxidation, corrosion tests, and mechanical properties. Next, the screening methods employed for evaluating these properties are discussed. Furthermore, we delve into the limitations of high-throughput preparation and characterization techniques for combinatorial films. Finally, we provide a summary and offer our perspectives.

Antifriction alloys such as AlSn20Cu are key material options for sliding bearings used in machinery. Uniform distribution and a near-equiaxed granularity tin phase are generally considered to be ideal characteristics of an AlSn20Cu antifriction alloy, although these properties vary by fabrication method. In this study, to analyze the variation of the microstructure with the fabrication method, AlSn20Cu alloys are prepared by three methods: semi-continuous casting, semi-solid die casting, and spray forming. Bearing blanks are subsequently prepared from the fabricated alloys using different processes. Morphological information, such as the total area ratio and average particle diameter of the tin phase, are quantitatively characterized. For the tin phase of the AlSn20Cu alloy, the deformation and annealing involved in semi-continuous casting leads to a prolate particle shape. The average particle diameter of the tin phase is 12.6 µm, and the overall distribution state is related to the deformation direction. The tin phase of AlSn20Cu alloys prepared by semi-solid die casting presents both nearly spherical and strip shapes, with an average particle diameter of 9.6 µm. The tin phase of AlSn20Cu alloys prepared by spray forming and blocking hot extrusion presents a nearly equilateral shape, with an average particle diameter of 6.2 µm. These results indicate that, of the three preparation methods analyzed in this study, semi-solid die casting provides the shortest process flow time, whereas a finer and more uniform tin-phase structure may be obtained using the spray-forming process. The semi-solid die casting method presents the greatest potential for industrial application, and this method therefore presents a promising possibility for further optimization.

Lightweight structural alloys have broad application prospects in aerospace, energy, and transportation fields, and it is crucial to understand the hot deformation behavior of novel alloys for subsequent applications. The deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of a new Al-Zn-Mg-Li-Cu alloy was studied by hot compression experiments at temperatures ranging from 300 °C to 420 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.01 s⁻¹ to 10 s⁻¹. The as-cast Al-Zn-Mg-Li-Cu alloy is composed of an α-Al phase, an Al₂Cu phase, a T phase, an η phase, and an η′ phase. The constitutive relationship between flow stress, temperature, and strain rate, represented by Zener–Hollomon parameters including Arrhenius terms, was established. Microstructure observations show that the grain size and the fraction of DRX increases with increasing deformation temperature. The grain size of DRX decreases with increasing strain rates, while the fraction of DRX first increases and then decreases. A certain amount of medium-angle grain boundaries (MAGBs) was present at both lower and higher deformation temperatures, suggesting the existence of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). The cumulative misorientation from intragranular to grain boundary proves that the CDRX mechanism of the alloy occurs through progressive subgrain rotation. This paper provides a basis for the deformation process of a new Al-Zn-Mg-Li-Cu alloy.

Zr-Ti-Nb-Ta alloys were synthesized in parallel via multi-target co-sputtering deposition with physical masking in a pseudo-ternary Ti-Nb-ZrTa alloy system. Sixteen alloys with distinct compositions were obtained. Comprehensive characterization of phase structure, microstructure, Young’s modulus, and nanoindentation hardness was undertaken. The Ti-Nb-ZrTa alloys exhibited two typical phase structures: a single-BCC solid-solution structure, and an amorphous structure. Nanoindentation quantification confirmed a Young’s modulus ranging from 110 to 130 GPa, alongside nanoindentation hardness spanning 3.6 to 5.0 GPa. The combination of good hardness and a relatively low Young’s modulus renders these alloys promising candidates for excellent biomedical materials. This work not only offers an effective method for the high-throughput synthesis of multi-principal element alloys, but also sheds light on a strategy for screening the phase structure and mechanical performance within a given alloy system.

Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) can achieve a balance of high strength and ductility. It has been found that the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic high-entropy alloys are superior to those of EHEAs. In this work, hypereutectic Al_1.1CoCrFeNi_2.1 alloy was prepared, and the mechanical properties in a wide temperature range were studied. The presence of both soft ordered L1₂ and hard BCC (B₂) phases results in a combination of ductile and brittle fracture modes. The Al_1.1CoCrFeNi_2.1 hypereutectic high-entropy alloy contains more primary soft L1₂ phases, which ensure excellent ductility. Moreover, the Orowan by-passing mechanism caused by the B₂ precipitates increases in the strength of the alloy for low-temperature tensile tests (−100 °C and 23 ± 2 °C). The −100 °C test exhibits a dimple morphology and demonstrates the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1231 MPa, along with an excellent elongation of 44%. At high tensile temperatures (650 °C, 750 °C, and 850 °C), the dislocation cutting mechanism and dynamic recrystallization increase the plasticity. However, the presence of a large number of cracks near the spherical primary L1₂ phase significantly reduces the ductility and strength. The results show that the hypereutectic Al_1.1CoCrFeNi_2.1 exhibits superior plasticity and strength properties at low temperatures. The findings of the article provide a new approach to enhancing the comprehensive mechanical properties of hypereutectic alloys.

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) have drawn much attention in the field of materials science for their unique properties and wide compositional design space. The Nb₃₅Zr₂₆Ti₁₉Hf₁₅Mo₅ alloy is important for exploring RHEAs’ potential in high-temperature applications. It can break through existing material limitations and bring benefits to related fields, especially in the aerospace field. This paper focuses on Nb₃₅Zr₂₆Ti₁₉Hf₁₅Mo₅ RHEAs and studies the effects of cold rolling and heat treatment on its microstructure and mechanical properties. The alloy has a single-phase BCC structure. As rolling reduction rises from 20% to 80%, the alloy’s strength increases notably while plasticity drops. At 80% rolling reduction, the tensile strength reaches 1408 MPa, and the elongation is 10.5%. During rolling, grains deform along the rolling direction, the number of low-angle grain boundaries grows, and dislocation and solid solution strengthening effects are enhanced. With the increase in annealing temperature, recrystallized grains increase, and the change in grain-boundary structure weakens the strengthening effect, leading to a strength decrease and a plasticity increase. After annealing at 800 °C, the elongation reaches 17%, and the dislocation density in the alloy decreases with a recrystallization degree of 49%.