Selective Laser Melting: Microstructure and Properties Optimization for Metals and Alloys, Metal Matrix Composites, Lattice and Hybrid Parts

Dear Colleagues,

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an interesting technology for the manufacture of high-performance metal components. A broad range of metallic alloys have been processed by SLM, such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, iron–steel alloys, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, copper alloys, and their combinations or composites. Over the last decade, SLM has been significantly improved in terms of the technological capability and quality of the parts. Some SLM components have already been applied in many fields, such as in the aerospace, biomedical, and automotive industries.

To date, the state of the art shows some issues related to SLM parts. The most critical issue in SLM technology regards the relationship between the processing and microstructure of the SLM components that is underdeveloped, leading to loss of repeatability unlike the traditional manufacturing techniques.

Moreover, low plasticity and reduced fatigue performance mainly related to microstructural features, high residual stress, surface roughness, lack of fusion, high porosity, shrinkage, and distortion are reported in the state of the art. Several attempts have been proposed to improve the quality of the parts, but the challenge is still open because, according to the recent literature, it remains unclear how most of these defects and microstructural features relate to the many variables of SLM. 

The focus of this Special Issue is on exploring the possibility of tuning process parameters and post-processing techniques and heat treatments for the optimization of microstructure features, defects, and properties of metals and alloys.

We welcome all original research articles and reviews regarding:

• SLM of metallic alloys (for aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications);
• SLM metal-matrix composites;
• SLM hybrid metal components;
• SLM lattice structure.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Paola Leo
Dr. Gilda Renna
Dr. Rosa De Finis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.