Recent advances and perspectives in interface engineering of high-performance alloys

High-performance alloys play an indispensable role in modern engineering due to their exceptional combinations of strength, ductility, corrosion and fatigue resistance, and thermal stability, all of which are significantly influenced by interface structures. Despite substantial efforts that have been devoted to this field, a comprehensive overview of interface engineering remains lacking. In this work, interfaces in high-performance alloys, particularly grain boundaries and phase boundaries, are systematically examined, with emphasis placed on their crystallographic characteristics and chemical element segregation. The influences of these interfaces on electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, toughness, hydrogen embrittlement resistance, and thermal stability are elucidated. Furthermore, correlations between various interface types and advanced experimental and computational techniques have been examined via a big data analytics technique, thereby informing robust design strategies. Current challenges and emerging opportunities in interface engineering are also discussed. This work is expected to guide the ongoing development of next-generation high-performance alloys.