Advances in the Processing, Mechanical Properties and Numerical Simulation of Steel

Dear Colleagues,

Modern industrial applications demand advanced metallic components with optimised strength, durability, and geometric complexity. Stainless steel remains a cornerstone material across the aerospace, automotive, and biomedical sectors due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. To meet evolving engineering challenges, traditional fabrication methods like casting are increasingly being integrated with or replaced by innovative techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers unprecedented design freedom and lightweight topology optimisation, while advanced joining technologies enable the assembly of hybrid multi-material structures. However, these modern fabrication routes introduce complex thermal cycles, anisotropic microstructures, and residual stresses that directly dictate the final mechanical performance. Advanced computational simulation and finite element modelling are now critical tools for predicting microstructural evolution, optimising process parameters, and accelerating the deployment of high-performance stainless-steel components without relying solely on costly trial-and-error.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality, original research and comprehensive reviews addressing the cross-disciplinary challenges linking processing techniques to the mechanical performance of stainless steel. The scope focuses heavily on deploying predictive simulation tools to model microstructural development, defects, and mechanical properties across different manufacturing regimes. We welcome contributions that explore the boundaries of additive manufacturing, traditional and advanced casting, and innovative joining methodologies. By bridging the gap between computational materials science and empirical mechanical testing, this issue seeks to establish robust process–structure–property relationships for the next generation of stainless-steel applications.

Dr. Jana Bidulská
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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