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Crystals
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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites
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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites

A Special Issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352) belonging to the section "Crystalline Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 September 2025) | Viewed by 10290

Editors

Dr. Qingchun Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
Interests: TEM; nickel-based alloys; magnesium; welding; materials design
Dr. Nikolai Zarkevich

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy, Ames Laboratory, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Interests: alloy thermodynamics; guided design of advanced alloys
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The dependence of microstructures on chemical composition and materials processing affects the performance of structural components. Knowledge of the structure–property relations in alloys and composites allows for the improvement of performance by changing structures, which is affected by composition and processing. The development of novel lightweight structural materials leads to significant progress in transportation and aerospace technologies. Metallic alloys and composites are broadly used in industry. As structural materials, they are utilized for construction. This Special Issue focuses on the microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties, the change in properties with time due to corrosion and aging, performance during the life cycle, and the fabrication and recycling of structural alloys and composite materials, as well as their diverse applications.

Dr. Qingchun Zhu
Dr. Nikolai Zarkevich
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • mechanical properties
  • microstructure
  • alloying elements
  • alloys
  • composite materials

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 22611 KB  
Article
The Strain Evolution and Fracture of GH3535 Alloy Welded Joint Characterized by DIC at Different Temperatures
by Qingchun Zhu, Yucheng Zhu, Jie Wang, Li Jiang and Zhijun Li
Crystals 2025, 15(11), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15110916 - 24 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1097
Abstract
Welding is widely employed in manufacturing processes, with the mechanical properties of welded joints being a primary focus of welding technology research. However, distinct regions of welded joints—including the base metal (BM), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and deposited metal (DM)—exhibit divergent deformation behaviors, which [...] Read more.
Welding is widely employed in manufacturing processes, with the mechanical properties of welded joints being a primary focus of welding technology research. However, distinct regions of welded joints—including the base metal (BM), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and deposited metal (DM)—exhibit divergent deformation behaviors, which collectively influence the fracture behavior of the joints. In this study, the specific locations of strain concentration and fracture in GH3535 alloy welded joints (fabricated using ERNiMo-2 welding wire) were investigated during tensile tests at room temperature (RT) and 700 °C. Characterizations were performed via digital image correlation (DIC), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results revealed that during RT tension, strain was concentrated in the deposited metal adjacent to the fusion line (FL) which is 200% higher than BM, where cracks also initiated. At 700 °C, strain was mainly concentrated in the deposited metal, where the maximum strain concentration was approximately three times that in the base metal, and fracture also occurred in this region. It has been confirmed through in-suit observations that during high-temperature deformation, the deposited metal of the GH3535 alloy is more prone to strain concentration and simultaneously exhibits lower plasticity. This study advances the understanding of the deformation behavior of GH3535 alloy welded joints through in-suit observation results, and indicates that strengthening the deposited metal (i.e., the region more prone to strain concentration) is a more effective approach to improve the mechanical properties of such welded joints. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites)
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16 pages, 2101 KB  
Article
Structure and Mechanical Properties of Tubular Steel Products Processed by Cold Rotary Swaging
by Dorin Luca, Ion-Adrian Sărbătoare, Corneliu Munteanu, Fabian-Cezar Lupu, Dorian D. Luca and Cătălin-Andrei Țugui
Crystals 2025, 15(10), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15100836 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1297
Abstract
Rotary swaging (RS) is applied for the manufacturing of bars, stepped shafts, tubes with complex internal profiles, bimetallic composites, and similar products. This process falls under the category of severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods, which produce ultrafine-grained materials that provide superior properties in [...] Read more.
Rotary swaging (RS) is applied for the manufacturing of bars, stepped shafts, tubes with complex internal profiles, bimetallic composites, and similar products. This process falls under the category of severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods, which produce ultrafine-grained materials that provide superior properties in service. Our study investigated the effect of cold RS on the structure, grain size, and microhardness of AISI 304 stainless steel and CK45 carbon steel. Tubular specimens were processed by RS with the purpose of obtaining conical parts with a closed end, achieving a maximum reduction of nearly 44%. Samples were taken by longitudinal sectioning along the diameter from three zones with different degrees of deformation and subjected to structural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The investigations were complemented by microhardness measurements in the axial direction for samples of both steels. The resulting structures revealed material texturing and a continuous decrease in grain size with increasing swaging ratio. The average grain size was reduced by approximately 46% in AISI 304 steel and by around 50% in CK45 steel. The microhardness of the materials increased by about 179% for AISI 304 steel and by approximately 95% for CK45 steel. The obtained results are discussed, highlighting the effect of cold RS processing on the two steels studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites)
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17 pages, 4863 KB  
Article
Analysis of High Temperature Oxidation Process and Mechanism of Heterogeneous Titanium Alloy
by Xu Pei, Jiacheng Wu, Zhaomei Xu and Pengfei Li
Crystals 2025, 15(9), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15090810 - 15 Sep 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4205
Abstract
This study explores the differences in oxidation color, oxidation products, and high-temperature oxidation resistance between TA1 and Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) titanium alloys following a 50 h oxidation treatment at 450 °C and 750 °C. A combination of analytical techniques—optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), [...] Read more.
This study explores the differences in oxidation color, oxidation products, and high-temperature oxidation resistance between TA1 and Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) titanium alloys following a 50 h oxidation treatment at 450 °C and 750 °C. A combination of analytical techniques—optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro-Vickers hardness testing—was employed to characterize the morphology of the oxide layers, elemental distribution, phase composition, and microhardness variations. The results reveal that at 450 °C, both alloys develop relatively compact oxide films. TA1 exhibits a yellow–gray coloration, while TC4 displays a characteristic blue–violet interwoven color. At 750 °C, however, the oxide layers become porous and prone to spallation, with a brown appearance and predominance of TiO2. XPS analysis confirms that Ti4+ (TiO2) is the dominant oxidation state on both alloy surfaces at 750 °C, with TC4 showing a significantly higher content of Al2O3. Microhardness measurements indicate that high-temperature oxidation increases the hardness of both alloys, with TC4 consistently exhibiting higher hardness than TA1. TC4 demonstrates superior oxidation resistance: at 450 °C, it forms a denser oxide layer with lower oxygen uptake, while at 750 °C, its oxide layer thickens more significantly, likely due to increased brittleness and spallation. This study underscores the profound impact of high-temperature oxidation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium alloys and highlights the critical role of oxide layer density and stability in determining oxidation resistance. These findings provide valuable insights for the application of TA1 and Ti-6Al-4V alloys in high-temperature environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites)
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14 pages, 10839 KB  
Article
Microstructural Stability and Creep Behavior of a Re/Ru Single-Crystal Nickel-Based Alloy
by Ning Tian
Crystals 2025, 15(4), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040370 - 17 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1574
Abstract
By testing the creep properties of a Re/Ru-containing single-crystal alloy specimen and examining the microstructural evolution of the allow at different stages of creep using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the deformation and damage mechanisms of the alloy under [...] Read more.
By testing the creep properties of a Re/Ru-containing single-crystal alloy specimen and examining the microstructural evolution of the allow at different stages of creep using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the deformation and damage mechanisms of the alloy under ultra-high temperature conditions were investigated. It was observed that a dislocation network forms before the rafting of the γ′ phase. As creep progresses, this network becomes increasingly dense and complete. Moreover, the dislocation network undergoes a transformation from the <110>-type to the <100>-type configuration, with a hybrid <110>-<100>-type network representing an intermediate state during the transition. Stacking faults were also identified within the γ′ phase, suggesting that the stacking fault energy of this alloy is lower compared to that of other alloys. During creep, dislocations that penetrate the γ′ phase can undergo cross slip from the {111} plane to the {100} plane under applied stress, resulting in the formation of Kear–Wilsdorf (K–W) immobile dislocation locks. These locks hinder further dislocation movement within the γ′ phase. It is concluded that the damage mechanism of the alloy at the later stage of creep under 120 MPa/1160 °C involves initial crack formation at the interface of the twisted raft-like γ/γ′ two-phase structure. As creep continues, the crack propagates in a direction perpendicular to the applied stress axis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites)
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21 pages, 17365 KB  
Article
Regulating the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Mg-2Zn-0.1Y Alloy by Trace SiC with Different Morphologies
by Furong Guo, Kaibo Nie, Kunkun Deng and Yanan Li
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020166 - 8 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1516
Abstract
Traditional magnesium structural materials are used widely due to their light weight; however, their corrosion resistance is poor. In order to address this problem and improve the strength simultaneously, SiCp-, SiCnp-, and SiCnw-reinforced Mg-2Zn-0.1Y (wt. %, MZY alloy) matrix composites (SiC/MZY composites) with [...] Read more.
Traditional magnesium structural materials are used widely due to their light weight; however, their corrosion resistance is poor. In order to address this problem and improve the strength simultaneously, SiCp-, SiCnp-, and SiCnw-reinforced Mg-2Zn-0.1Y (wt. %, MZY alloy) matrix composites (SiC/MZY composites) with the same contents (0.3 wt. %) were prepared and extruded at low temperature in this paper. The effects of SiC morphology on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of MZY alloy were studied. The results show that the grain size can be refined by adding SiC reinforcement. Compared with the unreinforced MZY alloy, the strengths of the SiC/MZY composites were all improved, with a yield strength of more than 440 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of more than 450 MPa. However, only the corrosion rate of the composites reinforced by submicron SiCp was improved significantly. The hydrogen evolution corrosion rate (PH) was reduced by 81% relative to the MZY alloy. This can be attributed to the decreased galvanic corrosion pairs, as well as the decreased potential difference between the second phase and the matrix in the SiCp/MZY composite. Additionally, a compact product film on the surface of the SiCp/MZY composite can also protect the matrix. The materials prepared in this study showed excellent strength and high corrosion resistance at relatively low cost, providing valuable insights and design ideas for the development and application of those materials in marine and offshore engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloys and Composites)
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