Post-manufacturing Testing and Characterization of Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Materials science is witnessing a paradigm shift with the advent of advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing, precision machining, forging, flow forming, and deep drawing. While these processes bestow unprecedented flexibility and efficiency, they also introduce a myriad of challenges in ensuring the integrity and performance of materials. Post-manufacturing, materials often undergo intricate microstructural and chemical composition changes, including phase transformation and grain size alteration, propelled by diverse cooling rates and mechanical stresses. For this reason, subsequent processing might be necessary in order to mitigate this problem and produce parts with more consistent properties.

These intrinsic alterations to materials post-production necessitate meticulous scrutiny to accurately discern the structural evolution and functional attributes of the materials. Understanding these transformations is pivotal for engineers and researchers to optimize material design and fabrication processes, ensuring superior performance and reliability across diverse applications. However, the journey towards comprehensive material characterization post-manufacturing is riddled with challenges. The multifaceted nature of these transformations demands a multifaceted approach towards testing and analysis. Traditional methods often fall short in capturing the nuances of these changes, necessitating the development and integration of advanced analytical techniques and methodologies. Moreover, the time-sensitive nature of modern manufacturing necessitates expeditious yet precise characterization protocols to facilitate rapid decision-making and process optimization. This urgency underscores the imperative of leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and computational modelling, to unravel the intricacies of post-manufacturing material behaviour efficiently. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of materials science underscores the need for collaboration and knowledge exchange across diverse domains. Collaborative efforts between materials scientists, engineers, and manufacturing experts are indispensable in navigating the complexities of post-manufacturing material testing and characterization, fostering innovation and driving progress in materials science and engineering.

In conclusion, the pursuit of excellence in material performance mandates a holistic approach towards post-manufacturing testing and characterization. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and advanced analytical techniques, we can unravel the enigma of material behaviour, paving the way for transformative advancements in manufacturing, engineering, and beyond.

In this Special Issue (SI), we delve into the critical significance of post-manufacturing testing and characterization of materials when trying to comprehend and delineate material properties. We invite authors to publish their original and review articles in this SI and share the results achieved in material properties and inspection.

Dr. Obeidi Muhannad
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• additive manufacturing
• 3D printing
• defect evaluation
• mechanical stresses
• deformation
• simulation
• material characterization
• process control
• post-manufacturing