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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 2650

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Prof. Dr. Joan-Josep Suñol

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Department of Physics, Campus Montilivi s/n, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Interests: powder metallurgy; structural analysis; thermal analysis; mechanical alloying; nanocrystalline
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue features research and review articles on the production of metallic alloys and composites, focusing on studies that analyze their structures and microstructures, as well as their thermal, mechanical, and/or magnetic response characterization (including simulation articles). Articles analyzing the influence of processing techniques (including additive manufacturing) and processing conditions on their structure are welcome. Functional properties are highly dependent on the microstructure and its thermal stability. Apart from the traditional mechanical materials, based on Fe, Co, or Ni, or light alloys, new families of materials, such as high-entropy alloys, have recently been added. With respect to mechanical properties, it is normally hardness, elasticity, and resistance that need to be optimized. Regarding the magnetic properties, their optimization depends largely on their specific applications.

Prof. Dr. Joan-Josep Suñol
Guest Editor

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Keywords

metallic alloys
metallic compounds
microstructure
structure
metallurgy
thermal analysis
mechanical properties
magnetic behavior

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 7226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Magnetic, and Magnetocaloric Properties of Ce₂(Fe, Co)₁₇ Compounds: Tuning Magnetic Transitions and Enhancing Refrigeration Efficiency

by Hamdi Jaballah, Jihed Horcheni, Jacques Moscovici, Abderrahime Ayadim and Lotfi Bessais

Materials 2025, 18(9), 1958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091958 - 25 Apr 2025

Viewed by 80

Abstract

This study explores the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of

{Ce}_{2}

(Fe, Co

)_{17}

(x = 0, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7) compounds synthesized via arc melting under high temperatures exceeding 2300 K. The as-cast ingots are subsequently sealed and subjected to [...] Read more.

This study explores the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of

{Ce}_{2}

(Fe, Co

)_{17}

(x = 0, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7) compounds synthesized via arc melting under high temperatures exceeding 2300 K. The as-cast ingots are subsequently sealed and subjected to a heat treatment at 1323 K to improve homogeneity and crystallinity. Detailed analyses using X-ray diffraction and magnetometry reveal that cobalt substitution significantly impacts the structural and magnetic behavior, enabling precise tuning of the magnetic transition temperature and magnetic order. The substitution induces an anisotropic increase in cell parameters and shifts the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) from low temperatures (200 K for x = 0) to near room temperature (285 K for x = 0.7), enhancing the operating temperature range. The magnetocaloric effect is studied across different magnetic transitions: a metamagnetic and ferro-antiferromagnetic transition followed by a paramagnetic state in one sample, and a direct ferro-paramagnetic transition in another. The compounds exhibit a second-order magnetic phase transition, ensuring a reversible MCE, with a relative cooling power (RCP) that is approximately 85% of that of pure Gd. Moreover, the use of cerium, the most cost-effective rare-earth element (5 $/kg), combined with its low atomic concentration (10%) in these intermetallics, enhances the sustainability and affordability of these materials. These findings underline the potential of iron-rich Ce-based compounds for next-generation refrigeration and energy-harvesting applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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18 pages, 6155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties and Stress–Strain Relationship of Grade 14.9 Superhigh-Tension Bolt (SHTB) Under Fire

by Xiaofang Xiao, Miao Ding, Yiqing Ge, Xiaohong Wang, Le Shen and Chunhua Ran

Materials 2025, 18(8), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081780 - 14 Apr 2025

Viewed by 327

Abstract

Grade 14.9 superhigh-strength bolts (SHTBs) are a type of high-strength steel bolt with a nominal tensile strength of 1400 MPa, which is significantly higher than the commonly used Grade 10.9 high-strength bolt (HSB), which has a nominal tensile strength of 1000 MPa. The use of an SHTB can reduce the number of bolts required in connections or joints, leading to material savings and improved construction efficiency. However, like HSB, the mechanical properties of an SHTB can be significantly degraded at high temperatures, though the extent of this reduction may differ. In this study, the authors designed and conducted experiments on SHTBs under elevated temperatures including both vibration and tensile coupon tests. Based on the test data, the stress–strain curves and key mechanical properties such as the Young’s modulus, yield stress, ultimate stress, ultimate strain, percentage elongation, cross-sectional area reduction, and failure strain were obtained and analyzed for various high-temperature conditions. Furthermore, a new three-stage model was proposed to describe the stress–strain relationship of SHTBs under fire conditions. Additionally, empirical formulae were developed to predict the mechanical properties of SHTBs under elevated temperatures, providing valuable insights for engineering applications and fire safety design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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9 pages, 1359 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Polystyrene-Encapsulated Carbonyl Iron Microcapsules: A Corrosion-Resistant Microwave Absorber

by Ke Gai, Junhe Shi, Wanxun Li, Weisen Liu, Weiping He, Qian Wang and Tong Zhao

Materials 2025, 18(8), 1779; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081779 - 13 Apr 2025

Viewed by 322

Abstract

Carbonyl iron powder is a widely used microwave-absorbing material due to its numerous advantages. However, carbonyl iron powder is prone to corrosion in high-salt-spray environments, reducing the service life of the composite material and limiting its applications, particularly in marine environments. In this study, we prepared polystyrene-encapsulated carbonyl iron microcapsules via in-situ polymerization and investigated their structure and properties. The results show that the coating of the polystyrene shell did not affect the crystal structure of the carbonyl iron and hardly weakened its electromagnetic properties. Compared to uncoated carbonyl iron powder, polystyrene-encapsulated carbonyl iron microcapsules exhibited superior corrosion resistance in both HCl solution and salt-spray environment. This work offers a potential solution for enhancing the durability of microwave-absorbing material in corrosive environments. With this simple, effective, and low-budget procedure, the cost of microwave-absorbing coating used in marine environments would be significantly reduced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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21 pages, 3134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Constraint-Independent Crack Tip Opening Angle for Stable Crack Growth in High-Strength Ductile Steels

by Xian-Kui Zhu

Materials 2025, 18(5), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051051 - 27 Feb 2025

Viewed by 402

Abstract

The crack tip opening angle (CTOA) is one of fracture toughness parameters that has been used for decades in describing large stable crack growth in thin-walled aerospace structures under the low-constraint conditions. Recently, the pipeline industry has developed a growing interest in using the CTOA parameter to serve as the minimum required fracture toughness to arrest dynamic crack propagation in modern gas transmission pipelines made of high-strength ductile steel. To meet this industrial need, the CTOA test standard ASTM E3039 was therefore developed for measuring the constant critical CTOA. ASTM E3039 recommends a drop weight tearing test (DWTT) specimen with a shallow crack for standard CTOA testing, but its CTOA may depend on the low constraint condition of the DWTT specimen at the crack tip. Verifying the constraint independence of the DWTT-measured CTOA thus becomes indispensable for applying CTOA toughness to the running fracture control in the pipeline design. For this purpose, the present paper evaluates critical CTOA values in a set of fracture toughness tests on single-edge notched bend (SENB) specimens with shallow and deep cracks, based on four CTOA estimation models. Among these, the Ln(P)-LLD linear fit model is similar to that recommended by ASTM E3039 for CTOA calculation. Fracture test data for X80 pipeline steel and HY80 structural steel were considered in the CTOA evaluation. The results showed that the four CTOA models were able to determine a constraint independent CTOA value for stable crack growth in the SENB specimens. As a result, a single, reliable, constant CTOA value could be determined regardless of the specimen geometry or the crack-tip constraint conditions. Therefore, the CTOA measured using ASTM E3039 is constraint-independent and transferable to use in cases of actual cracks propagating in gas transmission pipelines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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17 pages, 7431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interface Microstructure and Properties of 42CrMo/Cr5 Vacuum Billet Forged Composite Roll

by Ming Li, Zongan Luo, Hongyu Zhou, Jingsong Yang, Guangming Xie, Guodong Wang, Jikui Liu, Weiguo Han and Shengpeng Xin

Materials 2025, 18(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010122 - 31 Dec 2024

Viewed by 521

Abstract

Composite roll produced through casting methods typically remain in the as-cast state after forming. During the preparation process, extended exposure to high temperatures often results in microstructural coarsening at the interface and surface layers, restricting their mechanical performance. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel vacuum billet forging process for the fabrication of composite rolls. By integrating numerical simulations with experimental validation, we successfully prepared a 42CrMo/Cr5 composite roll. The comprehensive characterization of the interface, including microstructure, elemental distribution, grain texture, grain type, and mechanical properties, was conducted using OM, SEM, EPMA, EBSD, Vickers hardness testing, and a universal testing machine. The relationship between the interface microstructure and mechanical performance was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that complete metallurgical bonding at the interface was achieved with an upsetting reduction ratio of 40% and a single-pass elongation reduction ratio of less than 10%. The interfacial microstructure consisted of four zones: the roll core exhibited lamellar pearlite and blocky ferrite; the diffusion layer near 42CrMo featured pearlite; the diffusion layer near Cr5 contained pearlite and Cr carbides; the Cr5 layer contained fine lamellar pearlite with a greater amount of dispersed Cr carbides. Significant diffusion of Cr and Ni elements was observed, with Cr diffusion extending to 70–90 μm. The interface grains experienced substantial deformation and recrystallization, enhancing the bonding strength. Tensile tests indicated that fracture occurred on the 42CrMo side, with yield and tensile strengths of 371 MPa and 729 MPa, respectively. The microhardness of the composite interface gradually increased from 190 HV to 305 HV without abrupt changes. A significant hardness difference was observed on both sides of the interface, while the variation within the diffusion layer was relatively smooth, indicating good bonding performance at the composite interface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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Review

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21 pages, 4019 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Temperature on Magnetoimpedance Effect and Magnetic Properties of Fe- and Co-Rich Glass-Coated Microwires

by Paula Corte-Leon, Ivan Skorvanek, František Andrejka, Milos Jakubcin, Juan Maria Blanco, Valentina Zhukova and Arcady Zhukov

Materials 2025, 18(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020287 - 10 Jan 2025

Viewed by 670

Abstract

We provide new experimental studies of the temperature dependence of the giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect and hysteresis loops of Fe-rich and Co-rich amorphous microwires with rather different room temperature magnetic properties and GMI effect features. We observed a remarkable modification of hysteresis loops and magnetic field dependence of the GMI ratio upon heating in both of the studied samples. We observed a noticeable improvement in the GMI ratio and a change in hysteresis loops from rectangular to inclined upon heating in Fe-rich microwire. However, the opposite trend was observed in Co-rich microwire, in which, upon heating, the shape of the hysteresis loop changed from linear to rectangular. Generally, the evolution of the shape of the hysteresis loops during heating correlates with the modification of the dependencies of the GMI ratio ΔZ/Z on the magnetic field. For Co-rich microwire, the double-peak magnetic field dependence changed to single-peak, while for Fe-rich microwire, the opposite tendency was observed. The origin of the observed temperature dependences of the hysteresis loop and the GMI effect is discussed, considering internal stresses’ relaxation during heating, the temperature dependencies of the magnetostriction coefficient, and internal stresses, as well as the Hopkinson effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural, Mechanical and/or Magnetic Properties of Metallic Materials)

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