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Crystals
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Microstructure, Properties and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys
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Microstructure, Properties and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystalline Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 1010

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kai Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
Interests: aluminum alloys; high-strength and toughness alloys; material forming processes; microstructure; high-temperature deformation; preparation and forming technology
Dr. Heinz-Günter Brokmeier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department TEXMAT, Clausthal University of Technology and Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), Max-Planck-Str, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Interests: materials characterization by X-rays; neutrons, synchrotron, and EBSD; instrumentation; texture, phase, and stress analysis; Mg, Al, and Ti alloys; industrial application
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The continuous advancement of aluminum alloys has been central to innovations in lightweight design, high-performance engineering, and sustainable manufacturing. This Special Issue on “Microstructure, Properties and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys” aims to provide a focused platform for sharing recent developments in alloy design, solidification science, thermomechanical processing, and advanced characterization techniques. Aluminum alloys exhibit diverse microstructural features, from grain refinement, intermetallic phase evolution, and precipitation hardening to the influence of defects and inclusions, that directly govern their mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, fatigue behavior, and thermal stability. Understanding the complex interplay between composition, processing, and performance is crucial for optimizing alloys in automotive, aerospace, energy, and electronic applications.

This Special Issue welcomes both experimental and computational studies that shed light on the fundamental mechanisms controlling alloy behavior. Contributions may address multi-scale characterization (from atomistic resolution to component-level assessment), in situ observation of phase transformations, or the advanced modeling of microstructure–property relationships. We particularly encourage submissions on emerging alloy systems, innovative processing routes such as additive manufacturing and severe plastic deformation, and novel surface modification or coating strategies. Studies linking fundamental insights with practical performance in industrial environments are especially valued.

By gathering original research articles, reviews, and perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to highlight the state of the art in aluminum alloy science, promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, and provide a reference point for future directions in alloy development. We look forward to contributions from researchers, engineers, and materials scientists to advance both fundamental knowledge and technological applications of aluminum alloys.

Dr. Kai Wang
Dr. Heinz-Günter Brokmeier
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals 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 2100 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.

Keywords

  • aluminum alloys
  • microstructure evolution
  • mechanical properties
  • corrosion resistance
  • precipitation strengthening
  • advanced characterization
  • additive manufacturing
  • thermomechanical processing
  • phase transformation
  • structure–property relationships

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 9224 KB  
Article
Coupled Effects of Mg/Si Ratio and Recrystallization on Strength and Electrical Conductivity in Al-xMg-0.5Si Alloys
by Shanquan Deng, Xingsen Zhang, Junwei Zhu, Meihua Bian and Heng Chen
Crystals 2026, 16(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16010078 - 22 Jan 2026
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Abstract
The strategic balance between strength and electrical conductivity in Al-Mg-Si alloys is a critical challenge that must be overcome to enable their widespread adoption as viable alternatives to copper conductors in power transmission systems. To address this, the present study comprehensively investigates model [...] Read more.
The strategic balance between strength and electrical conductivity in Al-Mg-Si alloys is a critical challenge that must be overcome to enable their widespread adoption as viable alternatives to copper conductors in power transmission systems. To address this, the present study comprehensively investigates model alloys with Mg/Si ratios ranging from 1.0 to 2.0. A multi-faceted experimental approach was employed, combining tailored thermo-mechanical treatments (solution treatment, cold drawing, and isothermal annealing) with comprehensive microstructural characterization techniques, including electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results elucidate a fundamental competitive mechanism governing property optimization: excess Mg atoms concurrently contribute to solid-solution strengthening via the formation of Cottrell atmospheres around dislocations, while simultaneously enhancing electron scattering, which is detrimental to conductivity. A critical synergy was identified at the Mg/Si ratio of 1.75, which promotes the dense precipitation of fine β″ phase while facilitating extensive recovery of high dislocation density. Furthermore, EBSD analysis confirmed the development of a microstructure comprising 74.1% high-angle grain boundaries alongside a low dislocation density (KAM ≤ 2°). This specific microstructural configuration effectively minimizes electron scattering while providing moderate grain boundary strengthening, thereby synergistically achieving an optimal balance between strength and electrical conductivity. Consequently, this work elucidates the key quantitative relationships and competitive mechanisms among composition (Mg/Si ratio), processing parameters, microstructure evolution, and final properties within the studied Al-xMg-0.5Si alloy system. These findings establish a clear design guideline and provide a fundamental understanding for developing high-performance aluminum-based conductor alloys with tailored Mg/Si ratios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Properties and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys)
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13 pages, 3064 KB  
Article
Enhancement of Solidification Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-5Si-Cu-Mg Alloy Through the Addition of Scandium and Zirconium
by Tian Li, Ling Shan, Chunwei Wang, JinHua Wu, Jianming Zheng and Kai Wang
Crystals 2025, 15(11), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15110981 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 688
Abstract
Although low-silicon Al-Si alloys have been extensively studied, further improvement in their mechanical performance remains a critical challenge. This study examines the synergistic effects of scandium (Sc) and zirconium (Zr) additions on the solidification behavior, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of Al-5Si-Cu-Mg alloys. [...] Read more.
Although low-silicon Al-Si alloys have been extensively studied, further improvement in their mechanical performance remains a critical challenge. This study examines the synergistic effects of scandium (Sc) and zirconium (Zr) additions on the solidification behavior, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of Al-5Si-Cu-Mg alloys. The Sc/Zr additions refine the α-Al grains and modify the eutectic Si morphology, with the most uniform microstructure obtained at 0.5 wt.% due to the formation of coherent Al3(Sc,Zr) dispersoids. These additions also suppress the formation of needle-like β-Al5FeSi phases and promote the transformation to compact α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3(Si,Zr,Sc)2 intermetallics, optimizing the solidification process. The yield strength increases with Sc/Zr content owing to grain-boundary and precipitation strengthening. However, the alloy without Sc/Zr exhibits the highest ultimate tensile strength and elongation, likely due to its finer secondary dendrite arm spacing and the absence of casting-induced cracks in this investigation. Although Sc/Zr additions of 0.25–0.5 wt.% contribute to microstructural refinement, the concurrent formation of porosity and coarse intermetallic compounds leads to a deterioration in ductility. Excessive Sc/Zr additions further coarsen grains and degrade the overall mechanical integrity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Properties and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys)
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