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Crystals
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Performance and Processing of Metal Materials
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Performance and Processing of Metal Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2026 | Viewed by 5283

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhanfeng Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Suqian University, Suqian 223800, China
Interests: additive manufacturing; metal materials; processing technology
Dr. Benilde Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: nanocrystalline materials; mechanical alloying; Mössbauer spectrometry; magnetic properties; nanostructures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout history, metals have been central to human development, and while alternative materials such as plastics and composites are emerging, metals continue to thrive due to their unparalleled ability to evolve and adapt.

This issue explores the deep connection between the performance of metals and their unique properties, including mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance. It also delves into advanced processing methods, such as additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, and thermal-mechanical treatments, which are driving new capabilities and enhancing the performance of metal materials. Contributions to this issue are encouraged from researchers focusing on the fundamental understanding of metal behaviour, such as stress-strain relationships, fatigue resistance, and environmental durability. Additionally, studies that demonstrate how new processing techniques can optimize metal microstructure and performance for high-end applications in aerospace, automotive, medical, and construction industries are of particular interest. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary research, this issue aims to catalyse further innovations in material design, processing, and application, reinforcing the critical role of metals in shaping the future of engineering and technology.

This Special Issue, titled "Performance and Processing of Metal Materials", seeks to highlight the latest advancements in metal and alloy technologies, emphasizing their high-performance applications and innovative processing techniques.

Dr. Zhanfeng Wang
Prof. Dr. Benilde F. O. Costa
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

  • metal materials
  • high-performance alloys
  • advanced processing techniques
  • material behavior modeling
  • mechanical properties

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 10385 KB  
Article
Structure–Property–Radiation Shielding Relationships in Functionally Graded AA2024/B4C Metal Matrix Composites
by Abdullah Hasan Karabacak, Aykut Çanakçı, Sedat Alperen Tunç, Taylan Başkan and Ahmet Hakan Yılmaz
Crystals 2026, 16(4), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16040274 - 18 Apr 2026
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Functionally graded AA2024/B4C metal matrix composites were fabricated via mechanical alloying and hot pressing to investigate structure–property–radiation shielding relationships. Single-layer, two-layer, and three-layer architectures with varying B4C contents were systematically produced. Microstructural homogeneity and phase constitution were examined using [...] Read more.
Functionally graded AA2024/B4C metal matrix composites were fabricated via mechanical alloying and hot pressing to investigate structure–property–radiation shielding relationships. Single-layer, two-layer, and three-layer architectures with varying B4C contents were systematically produced. Microstructural homogeneity and phase constitution were examined using SEM/EDS and XRD, while thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Density and porosity measurements were conducted to assess the influence of reinforcement distribution and functional grading on densification behavior. Gamma radiation shielding performance was experimentally evaluated using a 152Eu source and an HPGe detector over a wide photon energy range. Key shielding parameters, including linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, and radiation protection efficiency, were determined. The results reveal that functional grading significantly enhances radiation attenuation compared to monolithic composites. The three-layer AA2024/B4C composite exhibited the highest attenuation coefficients and the lowest HVL, TVL, and MFP values at all investigated energies, achieving nearly 100% improvement in shielding efficiency relative to unreinforced AA2024. These findings demonstrate that controlled B4C distribution and layered composite architecture provide a synergistic improvement in thermal stability, physical integrity, and radiation shielding performance, positioning functionally graded AA2024/B4C composites as efficient lightweight materials for advanced radiation shielding applications. These results indicate that the developed functionally graded AA2024/B4C composites are promising candidates for advanced radiation shielding applications in nuclear facilities, aerospace structures, and medical radiation protection systems, where lightweight and high-performance materials are critically required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Processing of Metal Materials)
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21 pages, 24294 KB  
Article
Effect of Zinc Content on the Mechanical, Corrosion, Tribological and Electrical Properties of Spark Plasma-Sintered Copper/Graphene Composites
by Serdar Özkaya, Yaren Adabaş, Müslim Çelebi, Abdullah Hasan Karabacak and Ertuğrul Çelik
Crystals 2026, 16(3), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16030208 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 514
Abstract
Copper-based hybrid metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene and zinc were developed to achieve a balanced combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, wear performance, and electrical conductivity. In this study, Cu matrix composites containing a constant graphene content of 1 wt.% and varying [...] Read more.
Copper-based hybrid metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene and zinc were developed to achieve a balanced combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, wear performance, and electrical conductivity. In this study, Cu matrix composites containing a constant graphene content of 1 wt.% and varying Zn contents (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%) were fabricated through mechanical alloying followed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The effects of zinc content on microstructure, densification, hardness, corrosion behavior, tribological performance, and electrical conductivity were systematically investigated. Microstructural analyses revealed that the combined use of graphene and Zn significantly influenced grain refinement, interfacial stability, and densification behavior. The composite containing 10 wt.% Zn exhibited the highest relative density (~90.5%) and maximum hardness (62 HB), indicating an optimal reinforcement level. Corrosion tests conducted in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution demonstrated that the 10 wt.% Zn composite showed the most noble corrosion potential and the lowest corrosion current density, which was attributed to reduced porosity and improved microstructural homogeneity. Tribological results confirmed that graphene contributed to a self-lubricating effect, while Zn enhanced load-bearing capacity, leading to improved wear resistance under increasing normal loads. Electrical conductivity measurements showed a gradual decrease with increasing Zn content, mainly due to solid-solution-induced electron scattering in the Cu matrix; however, the fixed graphene addition and effective SPS consolidation helped preserve conductive pathways, allowing all composites to retain acceptable conductivity levels. The results indicate that the hybrid Cu–graphene–Zn composites exhibit a balanced combination of mechanical, corrosion, tribological, and electrical properties, with 10 wt.% Zn emerging as the optimal composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Processing of Metal Materials)
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12 pages, 2759 KB  
Article
Calcium Hexaboride Synthesis from Anhydrous Colemanite by Mechanochemical Method
by Aylin Yasemin and Ahmet F. Karabulut
Crystals 2025, 15(10), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15100837 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 768
Abstract
In this study, calcium hexaboride (CaB6) was successfully synthesized from anhydrous colemanite (Ca2B6O11) via a mechanochemical approach. The synthesis process was optimized in two stages: by adjusting the reaction time and varying the carbon-to-colemanite ratio. [...] Read more.
In this study, calcium hexaboride (CaB6) was successfully synthesized from anhydrous colemanite (Ca2B6O11) via a mechanochemical approach. The synthesis process was optimized in two stages: by adjusting the reaction time and varying the carbon-to-colemanite ratio. Structural and compositional analyses were performed using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. The optimal synthesis condition was found to be a carbon-to-colemanite ratio of 10:1 and a reaction time of 1020 min, yielding the highest Ca–B vibrational intensities in FT-IR spectra. The mechanochemical method enabled CaB6 formation at ambient conditions without the need for high temperature or pressure, offering a significant advantage over traditional methods. The results suggest that this method can serve as a low-energy route for the synthesis of metal borides, which are promising candidates for applications in refractory materials, electronics, and hydrogen storage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Processing of Metal Materials)
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14 pages, 4225 KB  
Article
DFT Investigation into Adsorption–Desorption Properties of Mg/Ni-Doped Calcium-Based Materials
by Wei Shi, Renwei Li, Xin Bao, Haifeng Yang and Dehao Kong
Crystals 2025, 15(8), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15080711 - 3 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Although concentrated solar power (CSP) coupled with calcium looping (CaL) offers a promising avenue for efficient thermal chemical energy storage, calcium-based sorbents suffer from accelerated structural degradation and decreased CO2 capture capacity during multiple cycles. This study used Density Functional Theory (DFT) [...] Read more.
Although concentrated solar power (CSP) coupled with calcium looping (CaL) offers a promising avenue for efficient thermal chemical energy storage, calcium-based sorbents suffer from accelerated structural degradation and decreased CO2 capture capacity during multiple cycles. This study used Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the mechanism by which Mg and Ni doping improves the adsorption/desorption performance of CaO. The DFT results indicate that Mg and Ni doping can effectively reduce the formation energy of oxygen vacancies on the CaO surface. Mg–Ni co-doping exhibits a significant synergistic effect, with the formation energy of oxygen vacancies reduced to 5.072 eV. Meanwhile, the O2− diffusion energy barrier in the co-doped system was reduced to 2.692 eV, significantly improving the ion transport efficiency. In terms of CO2 adsorption, Mg and Ni co-doping enhances the interaction between surface O atoms and CO2, increasing the adsorption energy to −1.703 eV and forming a more stable CO32− structure. For the desorption process, Mg and Ni co-doping restructured the CaCO3 surface structure, reducing the CO2 desorption energy barrier to 3.922 eV and significantly promoting carbonate decomposition. This work reveals, at the molecular level, how Mg and Ni doping optimizes adsorption–desorption in calcium-based materials, providing theoretical guidance for designing high-performance sorbents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Processing of Metal Materials)
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12 pages, 1740 KB  
Article
Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Analysis of Spherical Nanoindentation Stress–Strain Curve of Single-Crystal Copper
by Haoming Xia, Zhanfeng Wang, Shichao Qu, Weijie Shan and Rongkai Tan
Crystals 2025, 15(6), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15060561 - 13 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
In this paper, we perform crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) simulations of spherical nanoindentation to extract the indentation stress–strain (ISS) curve for a single-crystalline copper. The load–displacement curves on the Cu (010) surface at incremental indentation depths are obtained. Surface pile-up topography is [...] Read more.
In this paper, we perform crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) simulations of spherical nanoindentation to extract the indentation stress–strain (ISS) curve for a single-crystalline copper. The load–displacement curves on the Cu (010) surface at incremental indentation depths are obtained. Surface pile-up topography is explored and characterized by the activated slip systems on the indented surface and stress distribution on the cross-section to reveal the crystal anisotropy. And the effect of indentation depth on the stiffness and surface pile-up height is further analyzed. Finally, the zero point is defined, and the indentation stress–strain (ISS) curve is extracted from load–displacement curves. The validity of the ISS curve is demonstrated for crystalline copper materials by comparing measured results published in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Processing of Metal Materials)
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