1 South China University of Technology, School of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering, Guangzhou 710016, China
2 State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
In hydroelectric and marine equipment, flow components are not only susceptible to corrosion during operation but also subject to cavitation damage. This results in material loss on the surface of the flow components and even fractures, significantly reducing the safety and lifespan of the equipment. Currently, most materials used for flow components are copper alloys and stainless steel, which face the challenge of failing to simultaneously improve corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Developing new anti-cavitation erosion-corrosion (anti-CE-C) materials that meet the requirements of “high performance, long life, high reliability” and strong environmental adaptability has become a major research focus. The unique four major effects of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) provide them a natural advantage as anti-CE-C materials. The four unique major effects of MPEAs give them a natural advantage as anti-CE-C materials in extreme environments. Their highly adjustable microstructures, exceptional mechanical properties, outstanding oxidation resistance, and superior corrosion resistance lay a strong foundation for the development of new anti-CE-C materials. Their anti-CE-C performance can be enhanced through the regulation of principal element types and compositions, alloying, and the formation of MPEA composites. This review highlights the research progress on MPEAs as anti-CE-C materials, with a focus on their microstructure. It offers a comprehensive discussion of the CE-C performance and the factors influencing this behavior in both coatings and bulk MPEAs.