Gamma-channel stabilization mechanism in Ni-base superalloys

A mechanism is presented which opposes coalescence of -precipitates in Ni-base superalloys. The mechanism is based on the non-linear behaviour of the elastic energy in -channels, caused by the misfit strain between matrix and precipitate, as a function of the channel width. Variation of the channel width causes a disjoining pressure dependent on the density of misfit dislocations.