Fabrication of nanoporous Ni-based superalloy membranes

Ni-based superalloys, containing significant quantities of the ordered gamma'-phase for precipitation strengthening, are traditionally used as structural materials in high temperature applications. Here we show a new field of application where the self-assembly of the,gamma'-phase is utilized to produce nanoporous superalloy membranes with particularly interesting functional properties. We describe the manufacturing process, encompassing thermo-mechanical processing and electrochemical leaching, the resulting microstructure and properties, as well as potential areas of application for this new material class. (C) 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.