Foreword

Nickel-based superalloys possess an excellent combination of mechanical properties and environmental resistance at elevated temperatures, and have been widely used in challenging environments prevalent in aircraft engines and land-based power generation gas turbines, as well as in nuclear power systems and chemical plants. The ever-increasing demand for higher operating temperatures to achieve better fuel efficiency has been driving the development of the next generation of superalloys, in which the higher temperature capability has been achieved by increasing additions of refractory elements, optimizing processing conditions, and through the application of coatings. However, there is a strong need for materials that can make a disruptive change in temperature capability beyond that provided by current materials. …