Defense and Aerospace Applications

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs), a novel class of metallic materials composed of several principal elements in nearly similar molar ratios, have attracted significant attention in materials science and engineering in recent years. These materials are increasingly preferred alternatives to traditional alloys in the defense and aerospace industries due to their high hardness, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and outstanding resistance to adverse environmental conditions such as oxidation and corrosion. Their ability to preserve structural integrity and long-life performance under challenging conditions has made them the ideal candidate materials for ballistic elements, jet engines, gas turbines, hypersonic transportation systems, and other components exposed to harsh environments. This chapter examines the potential applications of HEAs in defense and aerospace industries, describing their technical advantages, environmental resistance, and unique properties derived from high-entropy principles, as well as their capacity to transform advanced engineering applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.