Editorial: Advancements in creep-resistant alloys for high-performance applications

Editorial on the Research Topic
Advancements in creep-resistant alloys for high-performance applications

The level of development and prosperity of any civilization is heavily dependent on the materials that the society can produce and use adequately. This is also reflected by the nomenclature of historical periods named after the dominant materials used, such as the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. Energy is one of the most important resources for our entire civilization. Nowadays, various types and methods are being sought to obtain the strongly needed energy in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. One of these ways is the use of nuclear energy and renewables. The inevitable transition to sustainable development requires creative new solutions in many areas, including materials that allow the combustion of sustainable fuels and increasing working temperatures in, e.g., energy conversion systems, such as turbines, generators, or heat engines, to improve their efficiency. This requirement motivated the continuous development in the material class of high-temperature and oxidation-resistant alloys. These materials are also crucial for the development of reactor steels for future fission and fusion reactors. The processing of these alloys involves a range of techniques, from traditional casting and powder metallurgy to advanced methods like hot isostatic pressing, spark plasma sintering, and additive manufacturing. Despite advancements in processing technologies, there remains a significant demand to enhance the performance of these alloys by pushing them to their physical limits. This necessitates a deeper understanding of the relationship between chemical composition, processing methods, and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. Current research has made significant strides in optimizing these factors; however, there remains a continuous need for innovative approaches to achieve long-term stability and improved mechanical properties under high-temperature and stress conditions.

The Research Topic aimed to explore the intricate relationship between processing techniques, microstructure, and mechanical properties of metallic alloys, metal matrix composites, and coatings designed for high-temperature applications. The primary objective is to identify and optimize factors such as chemical composition, purity, and consolidation techniques that can lead to significant improvements in the material’s performance. By focusing on both theoretical and experimental studies, the research seeks to uncover new insights into achieving creep-resistant alloys with stable microstructures under prolonged high-temperature exposure and applied stress.

Tailored microstructures underpin improved creep performance in several studies. Luptáková and Bártková highlight oxide nano-dispersions as a route to exceptional creep strength and stability. Similarly, the AM alloy investigations by Simonovski et al. and Shi et al. underline how processing-induced heterogeneities (grain structure, porosity) directly affect creep behavior, motivating advanced calibration of test results. Together, the papers underscore a unified trend of leveraging alloy design (ODS, additive processing) to achieve high-temperature capability.

Another important aspect is the development and use of new testing methods for these advanced materials that can be available in small volumes. Small-sample methods (small punch and impression creep) are showcased as powerful tools for characterizing high-temperature behavior when material is limited. The utility of the small-punch creep test is illustrated by Simonovski et al. and Shi et al., while the review of Naveena et al. emphasizes the impression creep (IC) test’s capability to extract extensive data non-destructively. These approaches address a growing trend toward microscale testing in materials science, facilitating faster screening and qualification of new alloy systems or irradiated specimens.

Two studies focus on LPBF alloys (316L steel and Ti64) and highlight the challenges of qualifying AM materials for creep service. Both works demonstrate the need for specialized testing protocols that account for AM-specific features (e.g., micro-cracks in 316L) and for integrating computational analysis (inverse FEA for Ti64) to obtain reliable creep properties from limited volume samples.

A notable implication is the reconsideration of standard test correlations and life-prediction models. For example, the discovery of multiple minima in AM 316L SPC tests suggests that existing standards (EN 10371) may need adaptation for new materials. Data of Yaguchi et al. indicate that conventional Larson-Miller extrapolations hold for Grade 91 under service conditions. Work of Shi et al. further shows how combining test data with modeling can directly yield Norton parameters, bridging experimental results with continuum creep laws. Thus, these contributions collectively refine the tools engineers use to predict component life. These papers collectively advance the understanding of creep-resistant materials in high-performance contexts. They blend empirical data with modeling and link innovative processing to mechanical performance. For example, by validating small-sample tests and addressing AM-specific behavior, the studies help extend qualification methods to novel alloys. The emphasis on predictive accuracy, whether through advanced testing standards or through life-prediction methods, reflects a concerted effort to ensure reliability in critical applications.

In conclusion, the Research Topic “Advancements in Creep-Resistant Alloys for High-Performance Applications” presents a multifaceted view of current progress. It highlights how targeted alloy design (e.g., ODS and nano-composites), cutting-edge manufacturing, and tailored characterization techniques can together push creep performance forward. The collective insights guide future development of materials that remain stable under extreme stress and temperature. As these papers suggest, ongoing innovation in both materials engineering and testing methodology will be vital to meet the ever-increasing demands of high-temperature service environments.

Author contributions

PD: Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. JS: Writing – review and editing. GR: Writing – review and editing. SK: Writing – review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication.

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declared that generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.

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