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Alloy Strengthening Mechanisms, Microstructural Control, and Performance Optimization

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 2890

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Interests: flash sintering; materials characterization; alloy strengthening; first-principles calculation

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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
Interests: metal matrix composites; field-assisted material fabrication; physicochemistry of material preparation and metallurgical processes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metals and alloys are pivotal to technological advancements in various engineering sectors. Material properties such as density, strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, tensile performance, ductility, high-temperature properties, and corrosion resistance primarily depend on the regulation of alloy composition and precise control of microstructures, as well as material fabrication and processing methods, among other factors. This Special Issue focuses on, but is not limited to, exploring the intrinsic mechanisms of alloy strengthening, the underlying mechanisms involved in material fabrication and processing, and the control of microstructures and properties. We aim to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on the latest developments in the design, fabrication, forming, processing, characterization, and application of alloys and metal matrix composites. Topics for submission may include the role of computational simulations, sintering, phase transformation, deformation, dislocation theory, nanostructuring, alloying elements, and material forming and processing techniques in the evolution of microstructures and properties.

We warmly invite submissions that extend the boundaries of traditional material fabrication and processing techniques and provide novel insights into alloy strengthening mechanisms, microstructural control, and performance optimization. We eagerly anticipate receiving submissions that not only deepen our understanding through experimental studies but also include theoretical research effectively employing computational simulations to provide valuable guidance for bridging experimental research and industrial applications.

Dr. Hongling Zhou
Prof. Dr. Keqin Feng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • metals and alloys
  • metal matrix composites
  • powder metallurgy
  • additive manufacturing
  • forming
  • surface treatment
  • heat treatment
  • materials characterization
  • microstructure evaluation
  • properties
  • phase transformation
  • corrosion
  • numerical simulations

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 14806 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Deep Cryogenic and Pulsed Magnetic Field Treatments on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Aero-TC4 Titanium Alloy
by Zhijun Ji, Hai Nan, Guirong Li, Shouzuo Guo, Yurong Ye, Hongming Wang and Pengjie Zhou
Materials 2025, 18(4), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040817 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
A novel coupled processing method (PDCT) that associated deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) with a high pulsed magnetic field (PMT) was investigated to improve the performance of an as-cast TC4 aero-titanium alloy. Through XRD, SEM, TEM, EBSD, and a properties test, its microstructure and [...] Read more.
A novel coupled processing method (PDCT) that associated deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) with a high pulsed magnetic field (PMT) was investigated to improve the performance of an as-cast TC4 aero-titanium alloy. Through XRD, SEM, TEM, EBSD, and a properties test, its microstructure and tensile properties and their relationship were investigated. The results show that in comparison with the untreated samples, in the PDCT alloys, the amount of nano-sized precipitates and dislocation density are increased, and this phenomenon is characterized by their combed dislocation morphology. The grain sizes are refined and rounded, and the deformed grains are enhanced, together with the enhancement of low-angle grain boundaries in grains and the transformation from the β phase to the α phase. The (112) crystal orientation is apparently strengthened. The tensile strength, elongation, and fracture energy of the optimized PDCT sample are 921.4 MPa, 7.6% and 5.47 × 107 J/m3, which increased by 4.9%, 28.8% and 80.5% compared with the untreated sample, respectively. The tensile fracture exhibits rheological deformation along the phase boundaries. The strength–toughness mechanisms are mainly attributed to the texture, precipitation, dislocation and fine grain strengthening, which stem from the cold contraction and lattice distortion of DCT and the main magneto-plasticity effect of PMT, together with their coupling effects. Full article
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18 pages, 5567 KiB  
Article
Effects of Pre-Deformation in Corrosion Fatigue Crack Growth of Al-Mg-Zn Alloy
by Hui Jiang, Junjun Jin, Yu Fang, Guoqing Gou, Wei Lu, Zhiyi Zhang, Hongmei Zhou, Hairong Sun, Jikui Feng, Jia Chen and Zhenghong Fu
Materials 2025, 18(2), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020365 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 445
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of pre-deformation on the corrosion fatigue crack propagation (CFCG) of Al-Mg-Zn alloy in a corrosive environment. Tensile tests at different pre-deformation levels and molecular dynamics simulations analyzed changes in dislocation density. Corrosion fatigue experiments were conducted in a [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effect of pre-deformation on the corrosion fatigue crack propagation (CFCG) of Al-Mg-Zn alloy in a corrosive environment. Tensile tests at different pre-deformation levels and molecular dynamics simulations analyzed changes in dislocation density. Corrosion fatigue experiments were conducted in a 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature, and crack propagation morphology was characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that tensile strength increased by 2.63% and 10.00% for 5% and 10% pre-deformation, respectively. The crack propagation threshold values were L2 (6.36 MPa·m1/2) > L0 (6.05 MPa·m1/2) > L1 (5.13 MPa·m1/2), attributed to increased dislocation density and material strength. At 5% pre-deformation, dislocation pile-ups created stress concentrations that facilitated crack propagation. In contrast, the non-uniform dislocation distribution at 10% pre-deformation enhanced both material strength and resistance to crack growth. Full article
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15 pages, 5336 KiB  
Article
Modification of Ti13Nb13Zr Alloy Surface via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation and Silver Nanoparticles Decorating
by Przemysław Gołasz, Agnieszka Płoska, Viktoriia Korniienko, Kateryna Diedkova, Yuliia Varava, Rafał Zieliński, Maksym Pogorielov and Wojciech Simka
Materials 2025, 18(2), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020349 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 553
Abstract
The dynamically developing field of implantology requires researchers to search for new materials and solutions. In this study, TiNbZr samples were investigated as an alternative for popular, but potentially hazardous TiAl6V4. Samples were etched, sandblasted, subjected to PEO, and covered in AgNP suspension. [...] Read more.
The dynamically developing field of implantology requires researchers to search for new materials and solutions. In this study, TiNbZr samples were investigated as an alternative for popular, but potentially hazardous TiAl6V4. Samples were etched, sandblasted, subjected to PEO, and covered in AgNP suspension. Simultaneously, SEM images were taken, and the wettability and roughness of the surface were measured. Samples covered in AgNPs were subjected to biological trials. A six-day measurement of human fibroblast proliferation was conducted to assess biocompatibility, and the population of E. coli and S. aureus was measured over eight hours. Results showed that the TiNbZr PEO surface is biocompatible with human fibroblast cells and promotes growth. However, deposited AgNPs exhibited only slight effectiveness in decreasing bacterial growth over the first two hours. The results suggest that the method of surface preparation is sufficient and might promote osseointegration. On the other hand, more efficient and reliable methods of application of AgNPs should be researched Full article
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16 pages, 6004 KiB  
Article
Natural and Artificial Aging Effects on the Deformation Behaviors of Al–Mg–Zn Alloy Sheets
by Kwangmin Choi, Sangjun Lee and Donghyun Bae
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4478; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184478 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 787
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of aging profiles on the precipitate formation and the corresponding strengthening and deformation behaviors of Al–Mg–Zn alloys. The alloys subjected to natural aging (NA) demonstrated significantly enhanced ductility at equivalent stress levels compared to those subjected to artificial [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of aging profiles on the precipitate formation and the corresponding strengthening and deformation behaviors of Al–Mg–Zn alloys. The alloys subjected to natural aging (NA) demonstrated significantly enhanced ductility at equivalent stress levels compared to those subjected to artificial aging (AA). In AA-treated alloys, η′ and η-phases with incoherent interfaces were formed, while GP zones and solute clusters were dominantly exhibited in the NA-treated alloy with a coherent interface with the matrix. Due to the change in interface bonding, the dislocation movement and pinning behavior after deformation are varied depending on the aging conditions of Al–Mg–Zn alloy sheet. Thus, the elongation to fracture of the NA alloy sheet was improved compared to that of the AA alloy sheet because of the enhanced work-hardening capacity and the thin precipitate-free zone (PFZ). Deformation textures and dislocation densities varied between NA and AA treatments, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and kernel average misorientation (KAM) analysis. The interactions between the precipitates, dislocations, and the PFZ in the AA- and NA-treated alloys were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The insights gained from this research provide a valuable foundation for industrial applications, particularly in sectors demanding lightweight, high-strength materials, where optimizing the aging process can lead to significant performance improvement and cost savings. Full article
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