Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Processing of Metals and Alloys

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 9177

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kunkun Deng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Interests: Mg alloy; Mg matrix composite; degradable Mg matrix material; laminate Ti/Al/Mg alloy; dynamic recrystallization; hot deformation; work hardening and softening behavior; corrosion of Mg alloy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metals and alloys have always played a pivotal role in the long history of human civilization. They are not only a cornerstone of scientific and technological progress but also the foundation of industrial development. This Special Issue aims to provide an in-depth discussion of the latest research results, application progress and future trends of metals and alloys.

In this Special Issue, we welcome hot topics in basic research, alloy design and the fabrication of metal materials, including but not limited to the following: the development of new metals and alloys, processing technologies, microstructure and properties, corrosion behavior regulation, and advanced characterization techniques.

This Special Issue provides important information for readers interested in metals and alloys and promotes the research and development of metal materials.

Prof. Dr. Kunkun Deng
Guest Editor

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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 and alloys
basic research
alloy design and fabrication
deformation and processing
microstructure
mechanical properties
corrosion behavior regulation
advanced characterization technique

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Related Special Issue

Processing of Metals and Alloys—Second Edition in Materials

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

26 pages, 4005 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Water Cooling on Heat Transfer and Solidification in IN718 Vacuum Arc Remelting

by Zichen Qi, Ming Pan, Panlin Xing, Xujian Jiang, Lvjia Huang, Yukang Jian and Shaowen Lei

Materials 2026, 19(5), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19050980 - 3 Mar 2026

Viewed by 121

Abstract

During the vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process, external convective cooling conditions exert a significant influence on both the heat transfer behavior and solidification microstructure of ingots. In this research, Φ 480 mm IN718 alloy VAR ingots were investigated. A heat transfer model for the VAR mold was established based on the equivalent thermal resistance method to analyze the effects of varying external convective cooling conditions on overall heat transfer performance. Industrial-scale VAR experiments were conducted at different cooling water flow velocities (0.48, 0.73 and 1.30 m/s) to assess how external cooling affects molten pool morphology and microstructure evolution. The results indicate that cooling water flow velocity is the primary factor affecting the heat transfer performance of the VAR mold. Increasing the flow velocity significantly enhances radial heat transfer capability while exerting a relatively limited effect on axial heat transfer. Furthermore, as the cooling water flow velocity increases, the molten pool depth decreases markedly, the pool morphology becomes shallower and more symmetric, and the ingot cooling rate is enhanced. Consequently, dendrite coarsening is effectively suppressed, resulting in a significant reduction in secondary dendrite arm spacing. Specifically, when the flow velocity increases from 0.48 to 1.30 m/s, SDAS decreases by 30.4% at the center, 31.0% at R/2, and 26.5% at the edge, and the SDAS-derived equivalent cooling rate (GR) increases from 6.53–18.25 K/min to 19.41–46.01 K/min across the three representative radial locations. A significant enhancement in the metallurgical quality of the VAR ingot is achieved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 10735 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Microstructure, Texture, and Properties of Hot-Rolled Ferritic Stainless Steel with Preferential α-Fiber Orientation

by Rongxun Piao, Jinhui Zhang, Gang Zhao and Junhai Wang

Materials 2026, 19(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020293 - 11 Jan 2026

Viewed by 527

Abstract

For hot-rolled ferritic stainless steels with preferential α-fiber texture, the strong α-fiber texture is retained after annealing, greatly affecting the texture and plastic formability during the subsequent cold-rolling process. For optimizing the texture of hot-rolled steels toward the favorable γ-fiber type, it is essential to control the annealing temperature in the annealing process. To investigate the evolution of the microstructure, texture, and properties of hot-rolled ferritic stainless steel with preferential α-fiber orientation, a series of annealing tests was performed at the lab scale at 800, 840, 880, 910, 930, and 950 °C for 3 min. The microstructure, texture, and grain boundary characteristics of the tested samples were analyzed using optical microscopy (OM) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The mechanical properties and plastic strain ratio (r-value) were determined through universal tensile testing. The results show that at temperatures above 840 °C, more than 93% of recrystallization occurs, leading to significant microstructural refinement. The α-fiber texture intensity typically diminishes with rising temperature, whereas the γ-fiber texture initially weakens during the early stages of recrystallization (below 840 °C) and subsequently exhibits a slight increase at higher temperatures. The improved formability of the material is mainly attributed to microstructural refinement and texture refinement, as reflected by the I(γ)/I(α) texture intensity ratio. At an annealing temperature of 930 °C, the I(γ)/I(α) ratio peaks at 0.85, static toughness is maximized, the strain-hardening exponent (n) reaches a high value of 0.28, and the maximum average plastic strain ratio (

\bar{r}

) is 0.96. This result represents the optimum balance between mechanical properties and formability, making it suitable for subsequent cold-rolling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 9540 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Strength-Ductility Synergy in Rolled High-Thermal-Conductivity Mg-Mn-Ce Alloys via Accumulated Strain

by Xu Zhang, Taiki Nakata, Enyu Guo, Wenzhuo Xie, Wenke Wang, Chao Xu, Jing Zuo, Zelin Wu, Kaibo Nie, Xiaojun Wang, Shigeharu Kamado and Lin Geng

Materials 2025, 18(20), 4747; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204747 - 16 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 594

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are prized as the lightest structural materials but often suffer from a strength–ductility trade-off that is particularly challenging for applications demanding high thermal conductivity. Aiming to resolve this issue, rolled ternary Mg-0.9Mn-1.9Ce (wt.%) alloy sheets were designed and fabricated, and the influence of rolling strain on optimizing the property balance was systematically investigated. The cast alloy was homogenized and rolled to two accumulated strains to obtain S10 (90%) and S20 (95%), followed by microstructure characterization and mechanical/thermal evaluation. Compared with S10, S20 developed finer, more equiaxed grains and a weaker basal texture via enhanced dynamic recrystallization; concurrent fragmentation and uniform dispersion of second-phase particles further contributed to strengthening. Consequently, S20 achieved 14.2% and 13.7% increases in yield and tensile strengths, respectively, with a slight improvement in elongation, while retaining high thermal conductivity (134.4 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ vs. 138.1 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ for S10). The minimal conductivity penalty is attributed to the low solute level in the α-Mg matrix, which limits electron scattering. These results provide experimental and mechanistic guidance for developing rolling Mg alloys that combine high mechanical performance with excellent thermal efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 7510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Addition of Iron and Chromium on the Structure and Properties of the Ni-Co-Mn-In Alloy

by Edyta Matyja and Krystian Prusik

Materials 2025, 18(19), 4597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194597 - 3 Oct 2025

Viewed by 707

Abstract

In this work, small amounts of Fe or Cr were added to Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_13.5 alloy (x = 0) to produce five-component alloys with nominal compositions of Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_35.5In_13.5Fe₁, Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_33.5In_13.5Fe₃, Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_35.5In_13.5Cr₁, and Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_33.5In_13.5Cr₃, which are denoted as Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5−xIn_13.5Fe_x/Cr_x (x = 1, 3 at.% Cr/Fe) series or as Mn-series (due to the addition of alloying elements instead of Mn), and Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_12.5Fe₁, Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_10.5Fe₃, Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_12.5Cr₁, and Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_10.5Cr₃, denoted as Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_36.5In_13.5−x (x = 1, 3 at.% Cr/Fe) series or In-series (due to the addition of alloying elements instead of In). The polycrystalline alloys were produced using the vacuum arc melting technique. The as-received alloys were characterized in structure, homogeneity, phase composition, martensitic transformation, and microhardness. The results showed that the addition of 1 at.% of Cr or Fe positively impacted the microstructure of the alloys. The quaternary alloy exhibited a single-phase coarse-grained structure. The addition of Fe and Cr (1 at.%) caused microstructure refinement with small Fe/Cr- and Co-rich γ particles appropriately distributed in the matrix, while the addition of 3% Fe or Cr resulted in γ formation in a dendritic form distributed more randomly. The addition of 1 at.% and 3 at.% of Cr or Fe significantly influenced the martensitic transformation temperatures. The microhardness increased by 21% in the Ni₄₇Co₃Mn_33.5In_13.5Fe₃ alloy compared to the quaternary alloy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3190 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Technological Parameters on the Contrast of Copper Surfaces in the Laser Marking Process

by Lyubomir Lazov, Edmunds Teirumnieks, Emil Yankov, Nikolay Angelov, Risham Singh Ghalot and Plamen Tsankov

Materials 2025, 18(17), 4024; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174024 - 28 Aug 2025

Viewed by 879

Abstract

This study examines the influence of key technological parameters—marking speed, raster step (Δx), pulse duration, power density, and effective energy—on the laser marking of copper using Yb-doped fiber and CuBr MOPA lasers. Two experimental setups were used: the fiber laser, with 100 ns and 200 ns pulses, and the CuBr laser with 30 ns pulses. Marking speed ranged from 10 to 80 mm/s, with raster steps from 3 to 20 µm for the fiber laser and 3 to 27 µm for the CuBr laser. The study compares different pulse durations and evaluates the impact of laser wavelength on the marking process. Optimal effective energy ranges were identified: 17.4–43.1 kJ/cm² for the Yb-doped fiber laser and 9.90–43.1 kJ/cm² for the CuBr laser. The originality of this work lies in its direct comparison of Yb-doped fiber and CuBr MOPA lasers for copper marking, alongside the simultaneous optimization of multiple parameters. The study provides novel guidelines for high-contrast copper marking, a material with known laser-processing challenges. The identified optimal energy ranges and process parameters can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of industrial copper marking applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 19237 KB

Open AccessArticle

Recrystallization Behavior of Cold-Rolled AA5083 Microalloyed with 0.1 wt.% Sc and 0.08 wt.% Zr

by Ahmed Y. Algendy, Paul Rometsch and X.-Grant Chen

Materials 2025, 18(8), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081701 - 9 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1106

Abstract

The influence of annealing temperature on the mechanical properties, microstructural evolution, and recrystallization behavior of AA5083 cold-rolled sheets with and without Sc/Zr microalloying was studied utilizing hardness tests, optical microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that a minor addition of Sc/Zr to the Al-Mg-Mn alloy can significantly improve the alloy strength and recrystallization resistance. Adding 0.1 wt.% Sc and 0.08 wt.% Zr raised the recrystallization temperature of heavily deformed sheets to 500 °C, which is 250 °C higher than for the Sc-free base alloy. The higher recrystallization resistance of the Sc-bearing alloy was mainly attributed to the presence of Al₃(Sc,Zr) nanoparticles, which enhanced the Zener drag pressure and delayed recrystallization. Grain boundary strengthening effects at various annealing temperatures were estimated using a constitutive equation. This work revealed that grain structure change and the corresponding boundary strengthening effect are key factors governing alloy strength evolution during annealing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 13937 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe-30Mn-10Al-3.3Si-1C Light-Weight Steel

by Alena A. Kazakova and Alexander Yu. Churyumov

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061258 - 12 Mar 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1431

Abstract

The development of new materials with low weight for the transport industry is required for the saving of natural resources and protection of the environment from carbon dioxide pollution. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Fe-30Mn-10Al-3.3Si-1C steel in as-cast, quenched, aged, and hot-deformed states were investigated. Austenite, ferrite, and κ-carbides are present in the steel in an as-cast state. Hot deformation of steels was made using the thermal and mechanical simulation system Gleeble-3800 at temperatures of 900–1050 °C and strain rates of 0.1–10 s⁻¹. Mechanical properties in as-cast, annealed, aged, and hot-deformed states were determined by Vickers hardness and compression tests. A constitutive model of the hot deformation behavior of Fe-30Mn-10Al-3.3Si-1C steel with high accuracy (R² = 0.995) was constructed. The finite element analysis of the deformation behavior of the steel under the plane-strain scheme was performed. Compression tests at room temperature have shown an increase in strength and ductility after hot deformation. The strain hardening of ferrite and austenite grain refinement during dynamic recrystallization are the main reasons for the growth of steel’s plasticity and strength. A specific strength of the investigated material is in the range from 202,000 to 233,000 m²/s² which is higher than high-strength steels previously developed and used in the automotive industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 13393 KB

Open AccessArticle

Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing Processability and Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu 224 Alloys with TiB Grain Refiner Additions

by Esmaeil Pourkhorshid, Paul Rometsch and X.-Grant Chen

Materials 2025, 18(3), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030516 - 23 Jan 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1788

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of TiB grain refiner additions on the microstructural evolution, hot tearing susceptibility, and mechanical properties of Al-Cu 224 alloys to enhance their processing performance during the selective laser melting (SLM) process. A simple laser surface remelting method was utilized to simulate laser-based rapid solidification. The results revealed that the addition of appropriate amounts of TiB grain refiner could completely eliminate the solidification cracks during the laser surface remelting process. The introduction of TiB₂ particles in the melt pools through the TiB grain refiner addition changed the grain morphology from a coarse columnar to a fine equiaxed structure, and the grain sizes were reduced from 13 to 15 μm in the base alloys to 5.5 μm and 3.2 μm in the alloys with 0.34 wt% Ti (B-3TiB) and 0.65 wt% Ti (ZV-6TiB) additions, respectively. The hardness values of the modified B-3TiB and ZV-6TiB alloys reached 117 and 130 HV after a T6 heat treatment, which surpassed the hardness of conventional AlSi10Mg alloys by at least 15–30%. This improvement was attributed to the finer grains and nanoscale θ′/θ″ precipitates. The results demonstrate that the TiB grain refiner addition can significantly improve the processability and mechanical properties of Al-Cu 224 alloys for SLM applications, offering a promising solution to the challenge of high hot tearing susceptibility in high-strength aluminum alloys. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 7922 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-8Li-3Al-0.3Si Alloy Deformed Through a Combination of Back-Extrusion and Spinning Process

by Changzhen Jia, Kunkun Deng, Cuiju Wang, Kaibo Nie, Quanxin Shi, Yijia Li and Pengcheng Tian

Materials 2025, 18(2), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020417 - 17 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328

Abstract

In this work, the Mg-8Li-3Al-0.3Si (LAS830) alloy was prepared by the vacuum melting method. The as-cast alloy was subjected to backward extrusion at 250 °C and then spun at 250 °C. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy during deformation were studied. The results showed that the LAS830 alloy primarily consisted of α-Mg and β-Li phases, and the AlLi, MgLi₂Al, and Mg₂Si phases were dispersed. After backward extrusion, the grains and AlLi phase were refined, the β-Li phase recrystallized, and the fine MgLi₂Al phase precipitated. The spinning of the extruded alloy tubes resulted in the lamellar distribution of an α/β duplex microstructure, with even finer grains and more dispersed precipitates. The combined deformation significantly enhanced the alloy’s strength and ductility, with the ultimate tensile strength reaching 235.4 MPa and an elongation of 15.74%. In addition, the average hardness of the α/β phase increases after backward extrusion, but the average hardness of the β-Li phase increases further after spinning. The as-cast LAS830 alloy exhibited a high work hardening rate but a low softening rate. With reverse extrusion, the work hardening rate decreased and the softening degree increased. Compared with backward extrusion, the work hardening rate and softening degree of the LAS830 alloy was reduced after spinning due to the combined effect of the lamellar distributed duplex microstructure and the dispersed second phases in the alloy, while its softening rate increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing of Metals and Alloys)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Processing of Metals and Alloys

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI