Here some critical issues existed during forging process of Inconel 718 disks involving recrystallization mechanisms, grain growth, δ-phase morphology control and residual stress are explained. Based on the potential application prospect of selective laser melting in additive manufacture of aerocraft engine components, the specialized anisotropic microstructure and mechanical performance resulted from the rapid solidification process in selective laser melting are analyzed. Furthermore, the importance and difficulty of heat treatment in eliminating Laves-phase as well as tailoring substructure and related mechanical behavior are also discussed. The deformation mechanisms of Inconel 718 alloy at high temperature are illustrated in detail, comprising of dislocation planar slip, twinning and dislocation-shearing γ″ precipitates in complex modes. At last, a newly developed wrought nickel superalloy (Allvac 718Plus, with a increase in service temperature of 55 ℃ as compared to that of Inconel 718) is introduced, and some recent progresses aimed at modifying chemical compositions and phase compositions to improve service temperature on the basis of Inconel 718 alloy are also reviewed. The results indicate that the more stable γ″-γ' composite structure is important for the further design of next-generation wrought nickel superalloys.