Unraveling a novel precipitate enrichment dependent strengthening behaviour in nickel-based superalloy

In the past 100 years, precipitation strengthening has always been extremely important pathway to resist deformation of material due significantly improving matrix strength. The size deviation degree and space distribution precipitates have a great influence on strength reported by recent experiments, however, this internal mechanism largely ignored incompletely understood until now in nickel-based superalloy. Herein, our work systematically clarifies effect complex interaction between dislocations 3D space, explore enrichment spatial mediated mechanism. Especially, new statistical approach using minimal spanning tree describe variation inter-precipitate spacing is proposed for accurately assessing contribution spatially randomly distributed Importantly, maximal occurs when variance equal average size, high frequent interactions with precipitations cause strong pinning distorted dislocation-line structure. slight precipitate corresponding optimal makes tend be evenly slip plane, which results more moving dislocation line, then leads severely curved dislocation, arising line tension inhibit its movement. A robustness test performed superalloys suggests method would robust evaluate performance without experiment, simultaneously gives distributions. current provides strategy adjust mode enhance mechanical properties hardened alloys.