Journal Description
Alloys
Alloys
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on all aspects of alloys science and engineering, published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access—free to download, share, and reuse content. Authors receive recognition for their contribution when the paper is reused.
- Rapid Publication: first decisions in 15 days; acceptance to publication in 3 days (median values for MDPI journals in the first half of 2022).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- Alloys is a companion journal of Metals.
Latest Articles
Linking Powder Properties, Printing Parameters, Post-Processing Methods, and Fatigue Properties in Additive Manufacturing of AlSi10Mg
Alloys 2022, 1(2), 149-179; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1020010 - 28 Jul 2022
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals can be broadly accomplished via two defined technologies: powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition. During AM fabrication, the melted feedstock material experiences fast thermal cycling due to the layer-by-layer deposition process resulting in microstructures and properties that
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Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals can be broadly accomplished via two defined technologies: powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition. During AM fabrication, the melted feedstock material experiences fast thermal cycling due to the layer-by-layer deposition process resulting in microstructures and properties that are drastically different from the traditionally manufactured parts. For AM to become a viable process for fabricating critical components made of high-performance structural alloys, such as AlSi10Mg, a comprehensive understanding is required toward developing the process-structure-property relationships prevalent in AM. AlSi10Mg, with its good castability, strength, hardness, and dynamic properties, is typically used to fabricate structural components that are required to withstand high loads. This alloy has been consolidated predominantly by the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) method and several critical mechanical properties, such as fatigue, have been reported to date. This article, first, summarizes the as-deposited and heat-treated microstructures of AlSi10Mg specimens fabricated by L-PBF. Then, the article discusses the linkages among the feedstock properties, printing parameters, specimen geometry, post-processing techniques, and fatigue properties. This discussion is followed by a section on the fatigue life prediction of AlSi10Mg specimens using computational modeling. Finally, the article identifies critical research gaps and pinpoints future research opportunities.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Interaction of Carbon, Titanium, and Boron in Micro-Alloy Steels and Its Effect on Hot Ductility
Alloys 2022, 1(2), 133-148; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1020009 - 06 Jul 2022
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Varying contents of carbon, titanium and boron were used in the base steel composition of 0.30 wt% Si, 2.0 wt% Mn, 0.006 wt% S, 0.03 wt% Nb, and 30–35 ppm N. Hot ductility tests were performed with Gleeble-3800, after the steel sample was
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Varying contents of carbon, titanium and boron were used in the base steel composition of 0.30 wt% Si, 2.0 wt% Mn, 0.006 wt% S, 0.03 wt% Nb, and 30–35 ppm N. Hot ductility tests were performed with Gleeble-3800, after the steel sample was in-situ melted, solidified, and cooled to the test temperature. Investigation was completed with thermodynamic and kinetic simulations. The best results were obtained for steels containing 58–100 ppm B and 35 ppm Ti. They showed very good hot ductility of 80–50% RA within the temperature range between 1250 °C and 800 °C. It was shown that titanium and boron were effective in improving the hot ductility. Titanium protected boron from binding into BN and was low enough to prevent excessive (Ti,Nb) carbonitride precipitation, which both could decrease hot ductility. Boron that precipitated along austenite grain boundaries as iron boride Fe2B was very beneficial for the hot ductility of steel.
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Open AccessReview
An Overview of High-Entropy Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying Followed by the Characterization of Their Microstructure and Various Properties
Alloys 2022, 1(2), 116-132; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1020008 - 21 Jun 2022
Abstract
Some modern alloys, such as high-entropy alloys (HEAs), are emerging with greater acceleration due to their wide range of properties and applications. HEAs can be prepared from many metallurgical operations, but mechanical alloying is considered to be one of the most simple, economical,
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Some modern alloys, such as high-entropy alloys (HEAs), are emerging with greater acceleration due to their wide range of properties and applications. HEAs can be prepared from many metallurgical operations, but mechanical alloying is considered to be one of the most simple, economical, popular, and suitable methods due to its increased solid solubility, nano-crystalline structure, greater homogeneity, and room-temperature processing. Mechanical alloying followed by the consolidation of HEAs is crucial in determining the various surface and mechanical properties. Generally, spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods are employed to consolidate HEAs due to their significant advantages over other conventional sintering methods. This is one of the best sintering methods to achieve greater improvements in their properties. This review discusses the mechanical alloying of various HEAs followed by consolidation using SPS, and also discusses their various mechanical properties. Additionally, we present a brief idea about research publications in HEA, and the top 10 countries that have published research articles on HEAs. From 2010 to 18 April 2022, more than 7700 Scopus-indexed research articles on all the fields of HEA and 130 research articles on HEA prepared by mechanical alloying alone have been published.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Paper Collection of Advanced Research on Alloys)
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Open AccessArticle
Kinetic Model of Isothermal Bainitic Transformation of Low Carbon Steels under Ausforming Conditions
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 93-115; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010007 - 13 Jun 2022
Abstract
Carbide-free bainitic steels show attractive mechanical properties but are difficult to process because of the sluggish phase transformation kinetics. A macroscopic model based on the classical nucleation theory in conjunction with the modified Koistinen–Marburger relationship is proposed in this study to simulate the
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Carbide-free bainitic steels show attractive mechanical properties but are difficult to process because of the sluggish phase transformation kinetics. A macroscopic model based on the classical nucleation theory in conjunction with the modified Koistinen–Marburger relationship is proposed in this study to simulate the kinetics of incomplete bainitic and martensitic phase transformations with and without austenite deformation. A 0.26C-1Si-1.5Mn-1Cr-1Ni-0.003B-0.03Ti steel and a 0.18C-1Si-2.5Mn-0.2Cr-0.2Ni-0.02B-0.03Ti steel were investigated with different levels of ausforming. The concept of ausforming is expected to accelerate the onset of the bainitic transformation and to enhance the thermodynamic stability of austenite by increased dislocation density. The phase transformation kinetics of both steels is quantitatively analyzed in the study by dilatometry and X-ray diffraction so that the carbon concentration in the retained austenite and bainitic ferrite, as well as their volume fractions, is determined. A critical comparison of the numerical and experimental data demonstrates that the isothermal kinetics of bainite formation and the variation of driving energy can be satisfactorily described by the developed model. This model captures the incompleteness of the bainite phase transformation and the carbon enrichment in the austenite well. A fitting parameter can be used to elucidate the initial energy barrier caused by the ausforming. An increase in austenite stability can be described by the nucleation reaction and the thermodynamic energies associated with the change of dislocation density. The proposed model provides an in-depth understanding of the effect of ausforming on the transformation kinetics under different low-carbon steels and is a potential tool for the future design of heat treatment processes and alloys.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Numerical Modeling on Metallic Materials)
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Open AccessArticle
Modification of Cantor High Entropy Alloy by the Addition of Mo and Nb: Microstructure Evaluation, Nanoindentation-Based Mechanical Properties, and Sliding Wear Response Assessment
by
, , , , and
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 70-92; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010006 - 10 May 2022
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The classic Cantor (FeCoCrMnNi) isoatomic high entropy alloy was modified by separate additions of Mo and Nb in an effort to optimize its mechanical properties and sliding wear response. It was found that the introduction of Mo and Nb modified the single phase
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The classic Cantor (FeCoCrMnNi) isoatomic high entropy alloy was modified by separate additions of Mo and Nb in an effort to optimize its mechanical properties and sliding wear response. It was found that the introduction of Mo and Nb modified the single phase FCC solid solution structure of the original alloy and led to the formation of new phases such as the BCC solid solution, σ-phase, and Laves, along with the possible existence of intermetallic phases. The overall phase formation sequence was approached by parametric model assessment and solidification considerations. Nanoindentation-based mechanical property evaluation showed that due to the introduction of Mo and Nb; the modulus of elasticity and microhardness were increased. Creep nanoindentation assessment revealed the beneficial action of Mo and Nb in increasing the creep resistance based on the stress sensitivity exponent, strain rate sensitivity, and critical volume for the dislocation nucleation considerations. The power law and power law breakdown were identified as the main creep deformation mechanisms. Finally, the sliding wear response was increased by the addition of Mo and Nb with this behavior obeying Archard’s law. A correlation between microstructure, wear track morphologies, and debris characteristics was also attempted.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Modelling the Effect of Deformation on Discontinuous Precipitation in Magnesium—Aluminium Alloy
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 54-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010005 - 11 Apr 2022
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Magnesium–Aluminium alloys can decompose from a supersaturated solid solution by either continuous or discontinuous precipitation. Deformation prior to precipitation has been shown to strongly suppress the discontinuous precipitation mode and promote continuous precipitation. In this work, a model is used to explore the
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Magnesium–Aluminium alloys can decompose from a supersaturated solid solution by either continuous or discontinuous precipitation. Deformation prior to precipitation has been shown to strongly suppress the discontinuous precipitation mode and promote continuous precipitation. In this work, a model is used to explore the interaction between deformation and precipitation in the Mg–Al system. It has been shown that accelerated nucleation of continuous precipitates on dislocations is predicted to have the dominant effect in suppressing discontinuous precipitation by reducing the solute supersaturation. A secondary effect is the direct role played by twins in the deformed structure, which act as impenetrable barriers to discontinuous precipitate growth. However, even in the deformed case, small regions of discontinuous precipitation are still observed. It is proposed that this is due to the high level of strain concentration expected in the grain boundary regions, which provides a locally enhanced driving force for the migration of grain boundaries such that limited discontinuous precipitation occurs before continuous precipitation becomes established.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Oxide Modified Iron in Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion—From Processability to Corrosion Properties
by
, , , , , , and
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 31-53; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010004 - 07 Mar 2022
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Additive manufacturing (AM) processes are not solely used where maximum design freedom meets low lot sizes. Direct microstructure design and topology optimization can be realized concomitantly during processing by adjusting the geometry, the material composition, and the solidification behavior of the material considered.
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Additive manufacturing (AM) processes are not solely used where maximum design freedom meets low lot sizes. Direct microstructure design and topology optimization can be realized concomitantly during processing by adjusting the geometry, the material composition, and the solidification behavior of the material considered. However, when complex specific requirements have to be met, a targeted part design is highly challenging. In the field of biodegradable implant surgery, a cytocompatible material of an application-adapted shape has to be characterized by a specific degradation behavior and reliably predictable mechanical properties. For instance, small amounts of oxides can have a significant effect on microstructural development, thus likewise affecting the strength and corrosion behavior of the processed material. In the present study, biocompatible pure Fe was processed using electron powder bed fusion (E-PBF). Two different modifications of the Fe were processed by incorporating Fe oxide and Ce oxide in different proportions in order to assess their impact on the microstructural evolution, the mechanical response and the corrosion behavior. The quasistatic mechanical and chemical properties were analyzed and correlated with the final microstructural appearance.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
The Energetics and Topology of Grain Boundaries in Magnesium: An Ab Initio Study
by
and
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 15-30; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010003 - 16 Feb 2022
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First principles calculations were carried out on six different grain boundaries with complex, non-symmetrical, crystallography’s. Solute species (Gd and Zn) were placed in multiple locations to investigate their effect on the boundary energetics. The grain boundaries were found to have an intrinsic grain
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First principles calculations were carried out on six different grain boundaries with complex, non-symmetrical, crystallography’s. Solute species (Gd and Zn) were placed in multiple locations to investigate their effect on the boundary energetics. The grain boundaries were found to have an intrinsic grain boundary energy, and this energy was not markedly affected by the solute concentration at the boundary. However, the work of separation (WSEP) was very sensitive to grain boundary chemistry. Boundaries of higher disorder were found to be more sensitive to boundary chemistry and showed higher values of WSEP and in the case of Gd, were more sensitive to solute concentration at the boundary. No correlation between the boundary behaviour and crystallography could be found, apart from the over-riding conclusion that all six boundaries showed markedly different behaviours, and the effect of solute on each were unique.
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Open AccessArticle
Cu-Ni-Based Alloys from Nanopowders as Potent Thermoelectric Materials for High-Power Output Applications
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, , , , , and
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 3-14; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010002 - 11 Jan 2022
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A new approach for the development of thermoelectric materials, which focuses on a high-power factor instead of a large figure of merit zT, has drawn attention in recent years. In this context, the thermoelectric properties of Cu-Ni-based alloys with a very high
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A new approach for the development of thermoelectric materials, which focuses on a high-power factor instead of a large figure of merit zT, has drawn attention in recent years. In this context, the thermoelectric properties of Cu-Ni-based alloys with a very high electrical conductivity, a moderate Seebeck coefficient, and therefore a high power factor are presented as promising low-cost alternative materials for applications aiming to have a high electrical power output. The Cu-Ni-based alloys are prepared via an arc melting process of metallic nanopowders. The heavy elements tin and tungsten are chosen for alloying to further improve the power factor while simultaneously reducing the high thermal conductivity of the resulting metal alloy, which also has a positive effect on the zT value. Overall, the samples prepared with low amounts of Sn and W show an increase in the power factor and figure of merit zT compared to the pure Cu-Ni alloy. These results demonstrate the potential of these often overlooked metal alloys and the utilization of nanopowders for thermoelectric energy conversion.
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Open AccessEditorial
Introducing Alloys: A Journal for Fundamental and Applied Research
Alloys 2022, 1(1), 1-2; https://doi.org/10.3390/alloys1010001 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 1
Abstract
Humans have made alloys for thousands of years [...]
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Topics
Topic in
Alloys, Applied Sciences, Materials, Metals, Inventions
Advanced Forming Technology of Metallic Materials
Topic Editors: Jingwei Zhao, Zhengyi Jiang, Leszek Adam Dobrzański, Chong Soo LeeDeadline: 31 December 2022
Topic in
AI, Alloys, Applied Sciences, Materials, Metals
Hybrid Computational Methods in Materials Engineering
Topic Editors: Wojciech Sitek, Jacek Trzaska, Imre FeldeDeadline: 30 January 2023
Topic in
Alloys, Applied Sciences, JMMP, Materials, Metals
Numerical and Experimental Advances in Innovative Manufacturing Processes
Topic Editors: Ricardo J. Alves de Sousa, Mehdi SafariDeadline: 31 March 2023
Topic in
Alloys, Catalysts, Materials, Nanomaterials, Molecules
Catalytic Applications of Transition Metals
Topic Editors: Dominique Agustin, Jana PiskDeadline: 30 June 2023

Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Alloys
Transport, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Intermetallic Alloys
Guest Editors: Andrea Džubinská, Marián ReiffersDeadline: 31 October 2022
Special Issue in
Alloys
Design of New Metallic Alloys for AM
Guest Editor: Pavel KrakhmalevDeadline: 31 May 2023
Special Issue in
Alloys
High-Entropy Alloys
Guest Editors: Peter Hodgson, Daniel Fabijanic, Jithin JosephDeadline: 31 December 2023
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Alloys
Feature Paper Collection of Advanced Research on Alloys
Collection Editors: Nikki Stanford, Chamini L. Mendis, Peng Cao, Shashanka Rajendrachari