Mullite has high creep resistance, low thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity, excellent corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance, and plays an important role in traditional ceramics and advanced ceramic materials. However, the poor mechanical properties of mullite at room temperature limit its application. In order to improve the strength and toughness of mullite, the current research focuses on the modification of mullite by using the second phase. The research status of discontinuous phase (particle, whisker, and chopped fiber) and continuous fiber reinforced mullite matrix composites is introduced, including preparation process, microstructure, and its main properties. The reinforcement mechanism of second phase on mullite matrix composites is summarized, and the existing problems and the future development direction of mullite matrix composites are pointed out and discussed.

TiC ceramics have become one of the most potential ultra-high temperature structural materials, because of its high melting point, low density, and low price. However, the poor mechanical properties seriously limit its development and application. In this work, this review follows PRISMA standards, the mechanism of the second phase (particles, whiskers, and carbon nanotubes) reinforced TiC ceramics was reviewed. In addition, the effects of the second phase on the microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of TiC ceramics were systematically studied. The addition of carbon black effectively eliminates the residual TiO₂ in the matrix, and the bending strength of the matrix is effectively improved by the strengthening bond formed between TiC; SiC particles effectively inhibit the grain growth through pinning, the obvious crack deflection phenomenon is found in the micrograph; The smaller grain size of WC plays a dispersion strengthening role in the matrix and makes the matrix uniformly refined, and the addition of WC forms (Ti, W) C solid solution, WC has a solid solution strengthening effect on the matrix; SiC whiskers effectively improve the fracture toughness of the matrix through bridging and pulling out, the microscopic diagram and mechanism diagram of SiC whisker action process are shown in this paper. The effect of new material carbon nanotubes on the matrix is also discussed; the bridging effect of CNTs can effectively improve the strength of the matrix, during sintering, some CNTs were partially expanded into GNR, in the process of crack bridging and propagation, more fracture energy is consumed by flake GNR. Finally, the existing problems of TiC-based composites are pointed out, and the future development direction is prospected.

Nb-Si-based superalloys are considered as the most promising high-temperature structural material to replace the Ni-based superalloys. Unfortunately, the poor oxidation resistance is still a major obstacle to the application of Nb-Si-based alloys. Alloying is a promising method to overcome this problem. In this work, the effects of Hf, Cr, Zr, B, and V on the oxidation resistance of Nb-Si-based superalloys were discussed. Furthermore, the microstructure, phase composition, and oxidation characteristics of Nb-Si series alloys were analyzed. The oxidation reaction and failure mechanism of Nb-Si-based alloys were summarized. The significance of this work is to provide some references for further research on high-temperature niobium alloys.

Molybdenum and its alloys, with high melting points, excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature creep resistance, are a vital high-temperature structural material. However, the poor oxidation resistance at high temperatures is a major barrier to their application. This work provides a summary of surface modification techniques for Mo and its alloys under high-temperature aerobic conditions of nearly half a century, including slurry sintering technology, plasma spraying technology, chemical vapor deposition technology, and liquid phase deposition technology. The microstructure and oxidation behavior of various coatings were analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of various processes were compared, and the key measures to improve oxidation resistance of coatings were also outlined. The future research direction in this field is set out.

Traditional refractory materials such as nickel-based superalloys have been gradually unable to meet the performance requirements of advanced materials. The Mo-Si-based alloy, as a new type of high temperature structural material, has entered the vision of researchers due to its charming high temperature performance characteristics. However, its easy oxidation and even “pesting oxidation” at medium temperatures limit its further applications. In order to solve this problem, researchers have conducted large numbers of experiments and made breakthrough achievements. Based on these research results, the effects of rare earth elements like La, Hf, Ce and Y on the microstructure and oxidation behavior of Mo-Si-based alloys were systematically reviewed in the current work. Meanwhile, this paper also provided an analysis about the strengthening mechanism of rare earth elements on the oxidation behavior for Mo-Si-based alloys after discussing the oxidation process. It is shown that adding rare earth elements, on the one hand, can optimize the microstructure of the alloy, thus promoting the rapid formation of protective SiO₂ scale. On the other hand, it can act as a diffusion barrier by producing stable rare earth oxides or additional protective films, which significantly enhances the oxidation resistance of the alloy. Furthermore, the research focus about the oxidation protection of Mo-Si-based alloys in the future was prospected to expand the application field.

Niobium (Nb)-based alloys have been extensively used in the aerospace field owing to their excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. However, the inferior oxidation resistance severely limits the application of Nb-based alloys in a high-temperature, oxygen-enriched environment. Related scholars have extensively studied the oxidation protection of niobium alloy and pointed out that surface coating technology is ideal for solving this problem. Based on the different preparation methods of Nb-based alloys’ surface coatings, this article summarizes the relevant research of domestic and foreign scholars in the past 30 years, including the slurry sintering method (SS), suspension plasma spraying method (SPS), and halide activated pack cementation method (HAPC), etc. The growth mechanism and micromorphology of the coatings access by different preparation methods are evaluated. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of various coating oxidation characteristics and coating preparation approaches are summarized. Finally, the coating’s oxidation behavior and failure mechanism are summarized and analyzed, aiming to provide valuable research references in related fields.