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Crystals
Special Issues
Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys
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Microstructure and Properties of Metals and 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 July 2025 | Viewed by 5267

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhongquan Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: microstructure; internal stress; wear resistance; corrosion resistance; nano metal and alloy coatings
Prof. Dr. Shouxun Ji

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
Interests: solidification of metallic alloys; aluminum alloys; magnesium alloys; phase transformation; microstructure and mechanical properties; dissimilar metals and alloys: microstructure and mechanical properties; laser welding
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ze Chai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
Interests: metals/alloys; coatings/film; deposition; additive manufacturing; microstructure; mechanical properties; corrosion; nanocrystalline; defective lattice; microstrain

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Researchers and engineers in the materials science community have been devoted to enhancing material properties governed by material structures. This Special Issue invites research focusing on the review, investigation, and innovations of the microscopic structure and properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals/alloys. Structures widely cover the phase constituent, grain morphology, crystallographic orientation, grain boundary, crystal lattice, etc., and properties include, but are not limited to, mechanical, magnetic, electrical, and anti-corrosive performances. Topics regarding advanced preparation and characterization techniques, tailored structure or design, numerical simulation, thermodynamics, kinetics, and the relationship between processing, microstructures, and properties are also highly desirable. 

Dr. Zhongquan Zhang
Prof. Dr. Shouxun Ji
Guest Editors

Dr. Ze Chai
Guest Editor Assistant

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • metals/alloys
  • bulk materials
  • coatings
  • films
  • microstructure
  • phase
  • grain
  • interface
  • lattice
  • dislocation
  • vacancy
  • diffusion
  • mechanical property
  • strengthening
  • deformation
  • strain
  • electrical property
  • anti-corrosive property
  • magnetic property

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 17834 KiB  
Article
Study on Thermal Deformation Behavior and Thermal Processing Map of a New Al-Li Alloy
by Daoqi Chen, Xinyang Han, Yinggan Zhang, Yan Liu and Junfeng Chen
Crystals 2025, 15(5), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15050431 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 208
Abstract
As a representative third-generation Al-Li alloy, 2A97 alloy has attracted significant attention for applications in aeronautics and astronautics, but its poor hot workability and complex thermal deformation behavior, which make for difficult optimization, significantly limit its widespread industrial utilization. In this study, the [...] Read more.
As a representative third-generation Al-Li alloy, 2A97 alloy has attracted significant attention for applications in aeronautics and astronautics, but its poor hot workability and complex thermal deformation behavior, which make for difficult optimization, significantly limit its widespread industrial utilization. In this study, the thermal deformation behavior of 2A97 Al-Li alloy was systematically investigated via thermal compression tests conducted over a temperature range of 260–460 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.001 s−1 to 1 s−1. The effects of deformation parameters on the alloy’s microstructural evolution were examined using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the dynamic materials model, a constitutive equation was established by analyzing the stress–strain data under various thermal deformation conditions. Furthermore, a thermal processing map was compiled to analyze the effects of the temperature and strain rate on the power dissipation efficiency and flow instability factor. The thermal deformation mechanisms were identified through combined analysis of the thermal processing map and microstructural features. Results indicate that the fraction of low-angle grain boundaries increases with a rising lnZ value (Zener–Hollomon parameter) during the thermal compression process. Dynamic recrystallization is the main deformation mechanism of 2A97 Al-Li alloy in the stable region, whereas the alloy exhibits flow localization in the unstable region. According to the thermal processing map, the optimal hot working windows for the 2A97 Al-Li alloy were determined to be (1) 360–460 °C at strain rates of 0.05 s−1–1 s−1, and (2) 340–420 °C at strain rates of 0.001 s−1–0.005 s−1. These conditions offer favorable combinations of microstructure and deformation stability, providing critical guidance for the thermo-mechanical processing of 2A97 alloy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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17 pages, 11739 KiB  
Article
Study on Microstructure and Properties of Friction-Assisted Electrodeposition Cu-SiC Deposited Layer
by Kang Qi, Kun Li, Youliang Yu, Qinpeng Sun, Xiaotong Yao and Long Jiang
Crystals 2025, 15(4), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040379 - 21 Apr 2025
Viewed by 235
Abstract
Based on the friction phenomenon, this study proposes a new method for localized electrodeposition preparation and prepares Cu-SiC composite deposited layers on copper substrates. The morphology of the deposited layer was observed using optical microscopy; the physical phase of the deposited layer was [...] Read more.
Based on the friction phenomenon, this study proposes a new method for localized electrodeposition preparation and prepares Cu-SiC composite deposited layers on copper substrates. The morphology of the deposited layer was observed using optical microscopy; the physical phase of the deposited layer was analyzed by X-ray diffraction; and the microstructure and size of the deposited layer were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The wear resistance of the deposited layer was evaluated through friction and wear experiments. The study found that the friction speed significantly influenced the morphology and size of the deposited layer. At a friction speed of 40 mm/s, the width of the deposited layer increased by 68.7%. Under the friction effect, the wear resistance of the deposited layer was improved. The coefficient of friction and wear width were reduced by 25.6% and 21.2%, respectively. The electrodeposited layer microstructure indicates that increasing the friction speed helps refine the microstructure. This has a significant impact on improving the performance of the electrodeposited layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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17 pages, 5959 KiB  
Article
First-Principles-Based Structural and Mechanical Properties of Al3Ni Under High Pressure
by Chuncai Xiao, Baiyuan Yang, Zhangli Lai, Zhiquan Chen, Huaiyang Yang, Hui Wang, Yunzhi Zhou and Xianshi Zeng
Crystals 2025, 15(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 601
Abstract
The structural, elastic, and thermal characteristics within the 0–30 GPa pressure range of Al3Ni intermetallic compounds were extensively studied using first-principles computational techniques. Using structural optimization, lattice parameters and the variation in volume variation under diverse pressures were determined, and the [...] Read more.
The structural, elastic, and thermal characteristics within the 0–30 GPa pressure range of Al3Ni intermetallic compounds were extensively studied using first-principles computational techniques. Using structural optimization, lattice parameters and the variation in volume variation under diverse pressures were determined, and the trends in their structural alteration with pressure were identified. The computed elastic constants validate the mechanical stability of Al3Ni within the applied pressure range and show that its compressive stiffness and shear resistance increase rapidly with increasing pressure. The Cauchy pressure variation implies that the metallic nature of Al3Ni increases gradually with increasing pressure. Moreover, through analysis of Poisson’s ratio, the anisotropy factor, and the sound velocity, we ascertained that pressure attenuates the anisotropic attributes of the material, and Al3Ni exhibits more pronounced isotropic characteristics and mechanical homogeneity under high-pressure conditions. The substantial increase in the Debye temperature further suggests that high pressure fortifies the lattice dynamic rigidity of the material. This current research systematically elucidated the stability of Al3Ni under high-pressure conditions and the law of the transformation of it mechanical behavior, providing a theoretical foundation for its application under extreme circumstances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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12 pages, 6747 KiB  
Article
Solution Strengthening and Short-Range Order in Cold-Drawn Pearlitic Steel Wires
by Gang Zhao, Jianyu Jiao, Yan Wu, Fengmei Bai, Hongwei Zhou, Jun Xue, Yixuan Zhu and Guangwen Zheng
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110977 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
Pearlitic steel rods are subjected to cold-drawing processes to produce pearlitic steel wires with true strains ranging from 0.81 to 2.18. Tensile tests are utilized to attain mechanical properties of cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires. TEM and XRD investigations were performed on the microstructure [...] Read more.
Pearlitic steel rods are subjected to cold-drawing processes to produce pearlitic steel wires with true strains ranging from 0.81 to 2.18. Tensile tests are utilized to attain mechanical properties of cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires. TEM and XRD investigations were performed on the microstructure of the cold-drawn steel wires. With an increasing cold-drawn strain, both the interlamellar spacing and cementite lamellae thickness decrease, while the dislocation density significantly increases. The drawn wire has a tensile strength of 2170 MPa when the true stain reaches 2.18. Deformation-induced cementite dissolution occurs during cold-drawing progress, which releases many C atoms. The findings indicate that the supersaturation of C is heterogeneously distributed in the ferrite matrix. The ordered distribution of the released C in ferrite phases creates short-range order (SRO). SRO clusters and disordered Cottrell atmospheres contribute to solution strengthening, which, together with dislocation strengthening and interlamellar boundary strengthening, form an effective strengthening mechanism in cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires. Our work provides new insights into carbon redistribution and the mechanism of solution strengthening within ferrous phases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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17 pages, 4630 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Magnetic Field-Assisted Laser Cladding Based on Hierarchical Analysis and Gray Correlation Method
by Long Jiang, Kang Qi, Haitao Zhang, Youliang Yu and Qinpeng Sun
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110927 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1180
Abstract
Process parameters directly affect the quality of laser cladding. In this study, magnetic field-assisted laser cladding experiments were carried out on the surface of 300 M ultra-high-strength steel by setting laser energy density, magnetic field strength, and frequency as processing parameters. The optimization [...] Read more.
Process parameters directly affect the quality of laser cladding. In this study, magnetic field-assisted laser cladding experiments were carried out on the surface of 300 M ultra-high-strength steel by setting laser energy density, magnetic field strength, and frequency as processing parameters. The optimization of laser cladding process parameters was investigated based on evaluating the quality of the laser cladding layer through hierarchical analysis and gray correlation analysis. Based on orthogonal test data, the correlation coefficients of the process parameters with the single objective function and the correlation degree of the multi-objective function were calculated by using the gray theory. Then the comprehensive objective optimization was carried out according to the gray correlation degree. The optimization problem with multiple process objectives was transformed into a single gray correlation degree optimization method to realize the optimization of process objectives and obtain the optimal combination of process parameters. The validation experiments indicate that the quality of the laser cladding layer can be greatly improved by employing optimal process parameters. The optimized laser cladding layer shows a reduced microstructure size and enhanced wear resistance, indicating the effectiveness of the optimization approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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18 pages, 10253 KiB  
Article
Effect of Nb and B on the Precipitation Behaviors in Al-Ti-Nb Balanced-Ratio Ni-Based Superalloy: A Phase-Field Study
by Na Ta, Hongguang Zhou, Cong Zhang, Ruijie Zhang and Lijun Zhang
Crystals 2024, 14(7), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14070614 - 30 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1325
Abstract
In this paper, quantitative two-dimensional (2-D) phase-field simulations were performed to gain insight into the effects of B and Nb for Al-Ti-Nb balanced-ratio GH4742 alloys. The microstructure evolution during the precipitation process was simulated using the MICRESS (MICRostructure Evolution Simulation Software) package developed [...] Read more.
In this paper, quantitative two-dimensional (2-D) phase-field simulations were performed to gain insight into the effects of B and Nb for Al-Ti-Nb balanced-ratio GH4742 alloys. The microstructure evolution during the precipitation process was simulated using the MICRESS (MICRostructure Evolution Simulation Software) package developed in the formalism of the multi-phase field model. The coupling to CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) thermodynamic databases was realized via the TQ interface. The morphological evolution, concentration distribution, and thermodynamic properties were extensively analyzed. It is indicated that a higher Nb content contributes to a faster precipitation rate and higher amounts and the smaller precipitate size of the γ′ phase, contributing to better mechanical properties. The segregation of the W element in γ′ precipitate due to its sluggish diffusion effect has also been observed. Higher temperatures and lower B contents accelerate the dissolution of boride and reduce the precipitation of borides. With the increased addition of B, the formation of borides may have a pinning effect on the grain boundary to hinder the kinetic process. In addition, borides are prone to precipitate around the interface rather than in the bulk phase. Once the M3B2 borides nucleate, they grow in the consumption of γ′ phases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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