Superalloy—Microstructural Characterization of Ni-Based Superalloys

Dear Colleagues,

As the Guest Editor for Metals, I am pleased to announce, a Special Issue focusing on the application of state-of-the-art microstructural characterization of Ni-based superalloys. To meet the demand for new or enhanced high-temperature structural materials that operate at higher temperatures and pressures with improved efficiency, Ni-based superalloys are superior candidates. Their development began over 80 years ago and was mainly driven by various parts in gas turbines used in aerospace, marine propulsion, gas/oil industry, and electricity generation. Ni-based superalloys are known to exhibit a good balance of mechanical properties (strength, fatigue, creep resistance) and high-temperature oxidation resistance due to their excellent long-term microstructural stability at high temperatures. Coincident with alloy development there is a need to develop and apply state-of-the-art characterization techniques aimed at characterizing the microstructure at length scales down to the atomic level, so that correlations between the microstructure, mechanical properties, oxidation behavior, and performance can be determined. We can directly study the effect of increasing Ni₃(Al,Ti) (γ') volume fractions, γ' solution temperature, effect of solid solution strengthening elements on g/γ' lattice parameter mismatch, effect of other elemental additions or rare earth metals on the interfaces and deformation mechanisms during deformation at high temperatures. Further, advanced microstructural characterization allows for site-specific studies of interphases formed during rejuvenation, advanced joining, or fabrication (additive manufacturing, casting, forging, or heat treatments).

Papers may present experimental or theoretical studies and should focus on materials microstructural evolution under high temperature and/or pressure exposure with a focus on interfaces, deformation mechanisms, alloying segregations, void formations, crack penetration, detrimental phase formation, carbide evolution, and so on. Contributions on the effect of joining/processing technics and microstructural simulation of Ni-based alloys under extreme conditions are also welcome. All submitted contributions are subject to a strict peer review process and the decision for publication is always based on the recommendations of independent experts.

Dr. Kinga A Unocic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Ni-based Superalloys
• γ′ particles
• grain boundaries
• partitioning of solid solution elements
• carbides