biostudies-literatureWang HResearch Grants Council, University Grants CommitteeResearch Grants Council, University Grants Committee (RGC, UGC)6782https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11310445biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Intermetallic alloys have traditionally been characterized by their inherent brittleness due to their lack of sufficient slip systems and absence of strain hardening. However, here we developed a single-phase B2 high-entropy intermetallic alloy that is both strong and plastic. Unlike conventional intermetallics, this high-entropy alloy features a highly distorted crystalline lattice with complex chemical order, leading to multiple slip systems and high flow stress. In addition, the alloy exhibits a dynamic hardening mechanism triggered by dislocation gliding that preserves its strength across a wide range of temperatures. As a result, this high-entropy intermetallic circumvents precipitous thermal softening, with extensive plastic flows even at high homologous temperatures, outperforming aNature communicationsLattice distortion enabling enhanced strength and plasticity in high entropy intermetallic alloy.PMC11310445CityU11213118CityU 11201721CityU11200719Xu XDZhao WJYang PYMa SHZhao SJWang HLu WJChen HALiu YYang YWu CLWang QLiu CTCheng QGuo BSPao CWQiao JCHe QFHou JHfalseLattice distortion enabling enhanced strength and plasticity in high entropy intermetallic alloy.Intermetallic alloys have traditionally been characterized by their inherent brittleness due to their lack of sufficient slip systems and absence of strain hardening. However, here we developed a single-phase B2 high-entropy intermetallic alloy that is both strong and plastic. Unlike conventional intermetallics, this high-entropy alloy features a highly distorted crystalline lattice with complex chemical order, leading to multiple slip systems and high flow stress. In addition, the alloy exhibits a dynamic hardening mechanism triggered by dislocation gliding that preserves its strength across a wide range of temperatures. As a result, this high-entropy intermetallic circumvents precipitous thermal softening, with extensive plastic flows even at high homologous temperatures, outperforming a2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Aug2026-04-30T00:04:34.066Z2025-04-06T19:30:28.262ZS-EPMC113104453911764810.1038/s41467-024-51204-0