Abstract: The critical diameter of γ'-phase(dc) is an important microstructural characteristic.Relationships among the critical diameter(dc).the volume fraciton(f),the antiphase domain boundaryγenergy(APBE) ofγ'-phase and the shear modulus(G) of precipitation strengthening Ni-base alloys have been studied in this paper.The results show that the alloys have the strongest age-hardening effects but the lowest ductility corresponding to the critical size of γ'-phase.The impact ductility of the alloys relates to γ'precipitation induced volume distortion in the matrix.

Key words: Ni-base alloy, precipitation hardening, impact ductility, volume distortion