Special Issue (SI): Advancing Superalloy-Coating Systems
Overview
Superalloys, particularly nickel-based and cobalt-based systems, have become indispensable structural materials in modern high-temperature applications due to their remarkable combination of mechanical strength, oxidation resistance, and creep durability at elevated temperatures approaching 0.7-0.9 of their melting points. These advanced metallic systems demonstrate exceptional performance retention in extreme environments, leading to their widespread adoption in critical components of aircraft engines (e.g., turbine blades and disks), land-based gas turbines, and nuclear power generation systems. However, when subjected to prolonged service under simultaneous thermal (up to 1100°C), chemical (oxidizing/corrosive atmospheres), and mechanical (complex multiaxial stress) loading conditions, these materials inevitably experience various degradation phenomena. The most prevalent failure modes include progressive oxidation, type I/II hot corrosion attack, microstructural instability (such as γ' phase coarsening or topologically close-packed phase formation), and concomitant mechanical property deterioration, all of which ultimately limit component lifespan and operational reliability.
To address these challenges, advanced protective coating systems have emerged as an essential technological solution for performance enhancement. Modern coating architectures, including diffusion aluminides, MCrAlY overlays, and thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems, function through multiple protective mechanisms: (i) forming stable, slow-growing oxide scales (primarily α-Al₂O₃ or Cr₂O₃) that act as effective diffusion barriers against environmental attack; (ii) mitigating substrate-element interdiffusion and associated detrimental phase formation; and (iii) in the case of TBCs, providing additional thermal insulation that reduces base metal temperatures. These coating technologies have demonstrated remarkable success in extending component service life by 3-5 times in many industrial applications while maintaining adequate interfacial stability and mechanical compatibility with superalloy substrates.
This special issue seeks to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that address contemporary challenges and innovations in superalloys and their protective coating systems. The scope encompasses, but is not limited to, the following key areas:
1. Advanced Material Development:
Design and development of next-generation superalloys
Novel coating compositions and architectures
Computational materials design approaches for alloy-coating systems
2. Processing and Manufacturing:
Innovative deposition techniques
Additive manufacturing of superalloys and coatings
Post-processing and heat treatment optimization
3. Performance Evaluation and Characterization:
Advanced characterization of degradation mechanisms
Mechanical property assessment under service-relevant conditions
Long-term thermal exposure and thermal cycling behavior
4. Failure Analysis and Life Prediction:
Interfacial degradation mechanisms
Coating-substrate interactions
Modeling and simulation of coating failure processes
5. Industrial Applications and Case Studies:
Field experience and performance validation
Repair and refurbishment technologies
Key Dates
- Submission Open: July 2025
- Submission Deadline: June 2026.
Guest Editor
Dr. Xipeng Tao
Affiliation: Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57200900528
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4284-0616
Editorial Process Timeline
Preliminary Review: 1 week
Peer Review: 4-6 weeks
Final Decision: 2 weeks
Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system, adhering to the submission guidelines provided on the journal's website.
Submit Options
- OJS: https://ojs.wiserpub.com/index.php/EST/about/submissions
- Email: editorest@universalwiser.com
We look forward to your contributions to this endeavor!
Michelle Zu
Journal Coordinator
Email: editorest@universalwiser.com