Strategies for multi-property optimization of solid-solution strengthened Ni-based superalloys through targeted precipitate engineering

Solid-solution strengthened Ni-based superalloys are widely employed in high-temperature applications due to their excellent mechanical strength, creep resistance, and microstructural stability. However, prolonged thermal exposure induces complex phase transformations and co-evolution among precipitates—including γ′ phases, carbides (MC, M 23 C 6 ), and topologically close-packed (TCP) phases—that fundamentally alter deformation mechanisms and accelerate performance degradation. Understanding these phase transformation sequences and their synergistic interactions is essential for controlling precipitate architectures and achieving multi-property optimization. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of tailoring precipitate characteristics to enhance specific properties; however, a systematic framework for coordinating precipitate types, distributions, and evolution pathways toward synergistic performance enhancement remains lacking. This review systematically elucidates the formation mechanisms, phase transformation behaviors, and co-evolution dynamics of key precipitates during long-term aging, emphasizing their influence on dislocation interactions and oxidation resistance. Furthermore, emerging strategies for precipitate engineering based on phase synergy are summarized, establishing microstructure–mechanism–performance correlations that underpin the targeted design of next-generation Ni-based superalloys for extreme service environments.