High entropy intermetallic coatings fabricated by detonation spraying

•High entropy intermetallic coatings (HEICs) are prepared by detonation spraying.•Coatings with sound bonding and lamellar microstructure are developed.•(Co1/3Fe1/3Cu1/6Ni1/15Mn1/10)Al HEIC exhibits single B2-ordered structure.•(Cu1/4Fe1/4Ni1/4Ti1/4)3Al HEIC exhibits a double B2 + FCC phase structures. (Co1/3Fe1/3Cu1/6Ni1/15Mn1/10)Al and (Cu1/4Fe1/4Ni1/4Ti1/4)3Al high entropy intermetallic compound (HEIC) coatings were deposited on low alloy steel substrate by detonation spraying (DS) using pre-alloyed powders. The (Co1/3Fe1/3Cu1/6Ni1/15Mn1/10)Al and (Cu1/4Fe1/4Ni1/4Ti1/4)3Al HEIC powders fabricated by induction melting followed by ball milling had a single B2-ordered and a double B2 + FCC phase structures, respectively, which exhibited excellent stability during DS. The coatings exhibited sound bonding with substrate, and consisted of lamellar microstructure with low porosities. DS is anticipated to be a high throughput technique to fabricate HEIC coatings with dense microstructure for use in different industries.