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Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals
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Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 6338

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chunju Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215131, China
Interests: physical-field assisted forming; microforming; deformation mechanism; modeling prediction; intelligent manufacturing
Dr. Feng Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215131, China
Interests: deformation mechanism; intelligent manufacturing; welding and joining; laser processing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hard-to-deform metals are widely used in cutting-edge fields such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and advanced energy due to their excellent performance under extreme conditions. However, hard-to-deform metals are prone to thermal cracking, stress concentration, and inhomogeneous deformation during plastic processing, these challenges limit their large-scale applications and engineering practices. This topic aims to provide insight into the dilemmas and challenges in plastic forming of hard-to-deform metals, as well as to collect the latest research results in overcoming these challenges.

In this topic, we invite you to publish original research articles and reviews on any aspect related to new technologies and mechanisms of plastic processing of hard-to-deform metals, including but not limited to:

  • Practical application cases, technical challenges and solutions of hard-to-deform metals in engineering fields such as aerospace, automobile manufacturing and high-speed railroads.
  • Latest research on plastic forming technologies for hard-to-deform metals based on advanced processes.
  • Adoption of new technologies to realize the characterization and analysis of microstructure of hard-to-deform metals, and reveal the microstructure evolution mechanism during plastic processing.
  • Mechanical behavior, deformation mechanism and performance of hard-to-deform metals under different conditions, as well as the establishment of relevant constitutive model.
  • Microstructural adjustment and property optimization of hard-to-deform metals.
  • Preparation and application of advanced mental structural materials，such as Lattice structure、Multi-layered material、Gradient material.

Prof. Dr. Chunju Wang
Dr. Feng Chen
Guest Editors

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. 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

  • hard-to-deform metal
  • mental structural material
  • plastic forming
  • microstructure
  • mechanical performance
  • constitutive model
  • deformation mechanism
  • fracture

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 11767 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 Eutectic High-Entropy Alloys Processed by High-Pressure Torsion
by Fanghui Wang, Chaogang Ding, Zhiqin Yang, Hao Zhang, Ziheng Ding, Hushan Li, Jie Xu, Debin Shan and Bin Guo
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122954 - 17 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1647
Abstract
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have garnered significant attention for their exceptional properties, with eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) emerging as particularly notable due to their incorporation of eutectic structures comprising soft and hard phases. This study investigated the influence of shear strain on the microstructural [...] Read more.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have garnered significant attention for their exceptional properties, with eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) emerging as particularly notable due to their incorporation of eutectic structures comprising soft and hard phases. This study investigated the influence of shear strain on the microstructural refinement and mechanical properties of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 EHEAs, which were subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature under a pressure of 6 GPa across 0.5 to 3 turns, compared to the initial material. After HPT treatment, significant grain refinement occurred due to strong shear strain, evidenced by the absence of B2 phase peaks in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Microhardness increased substantially post-HPT, reaching a saturation point at approximately 575 HV after three turns, significantly higher than that of the original sample. Moreover, the ultimate tensile strength of HPT-treated specimens reached around 1900 MPa after three revolutions, compared to approximately 1100 MPa for the as-cast alloy, with a mixed fracture mode maintained. This investigation underscores the efficacy of HPT in enhancing the mechanical properties of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 EHEAs through microstructural refinement induced by shear deformation, offering insights into the design and optimization of advanced HEAs for various engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals)
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13 pages, 6524 KiB  
Article
High-Temperature Tensile Characteristics of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloy: Fracture Characteristics and a Physical Mechanism Constitutive Model
by Daoguang He, Yuan Chen, Shibing Chen, Yongcheng Lin and Jiafu Wu
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112628 - 29 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1030
Abstract
High-temperature tensile tests were developed to explore the flow features of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. The fracture characteristics and microstructural evolution mechanisms were thoroughly revealed. The results demonstrated that both intergranular fractures and ductile fractures occurred, which affected the hot tensile fracture mechanism. During [...] Read more.
High-temperature tensile tests were developed to explore the flow features of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. The fracture characteristics and microstructural evolution mechanisms were thoroughly revealed. The results demonstrated that both intergranular fractures and ductile fractures occurred, which affected the hot tensile fracture mechanism. During high-temperature tensile, the second phase (Al2CuMg) at the grain boundaries (GBs) promoted the formation and accumulation of dimples. With the continual progression of high-temperature tensile, the aggregation/coarsening of dimples along GBs appear, aggravating the intergranular fracture. The coalescence and coarsen of dimples are reinforced at higher tensile temperatures or lower strain rates. Considering the impact of microstructural evolution and dimple formation/coarsening on tensile stresses, a physical mechanism constitutive (PMC) equation is herein proposed. According to the validation and analysis, the predictive results were in preferable accordance with the testing data, showing the outstanding reconfiguration capability of the PMC model for high-temperature tensile features in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals)
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15 pages, 5573 KiB  
Article
Axial Tensile Ultimate Strength of an Unbonded Flexible Riser Based on a Numerical Method
by Dongya Li, Wanchao Jiang, Qingqing Xing and Qingsheng Liu
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102286 - 11 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
Unbonded flexible risers consist of several helical and cylindrical layers, which can undergo large bending deformation and can be installed to different configurations to adapt to harsh marine environments, and is a key equipment in transporting oil and gas resources from Ultra Deep [...] Read more.
Unbonded flexible risers consist of several helical and cylindrical layers, which can undergo large bending deformation and can be installed to different configurations to adapt to harsh marine environments, and is a key equipment in transporting oil and gas resources from Ultra Deep Waters (UDWs) to offshore platforms. The helical interlayer of an unbonded flexible riser makes the structural behavior difficult to predict. In this paper, the axial tensile behavior and the axial tensile ultimate strength of an unbonded flexible riser are studied based on a typical 2.5-inch eight-layer unbonded flexible riser model, and verified through a theoretical method considering the contact between adjacent layers. First, the balance equation of separate layers is deduced by a functional principle, and then the overall theoretical model of an unbonded flexible riser is established considering the geometric relationship between adjacent layers. Then, the numerical model considering the detailed geometric properties of an unbonded flexible riser is established to simulate the axial tensile behavior. Finally, after being verified through the experimental results, the axial tensile stiffness and axial tensile strength of an unboned flexible riser considering the elasticity of the tensile armor layer are studied using the proposed two methods. Additionally, the effect of frictional coefficients is conducted. The numerical and theoretical results show good agreement with the test results, and the friction between adjacent layers would increase the axial tensile stiffness of an unbonded flexible riser. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals)
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15 pages, 11743 KiB  
Article
Investigation into the Three-Stage Formation of Micro-Channels with Ultra-Thin Titanium Sheets Used for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates
by Youfu Xie, Xiao Fang, Chunju Wang, Qi Zhong, Yucheng Wang and Risheng Hua
Materials 2024, 17(5), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051071 - 26 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1364
Abstract
Titanium has a low density and high corrosion resistance. In order to achieve the goal of a lightweight material, and to extend the normal working hour of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), ultra-thin titanium plates were chosen to manufacture the key components—bipolar plates [...] Read more.
Titanium has a low density and high corrosion resistance. In order to achieve the goal of a lightweight material, and to extend the normal working hour of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), ultra-thin titanium plates were chosen to manufacture the key components—bipolar plates (BPs). For the purpose of overcoming the challenges of manufacturing with a large depth to width ratio, a multi-stage formation process was established with characteristics such as high efficiency and a lower price. In this study, the process parameters were examined through an experimental approach. The outcomes show that the channel formed by multistage forming is deeper than that formed by single-stage forming under the same displacement conditions. To achieve greater flow depths, it is recommended to increase the displacements as much as possible during both the first- and second-stage forming processes. The implementation of three-stage forming can effectively reduce the maximum thinning rates within flow channels while improving the overall deformation uniformity. This method deviates from traditional one-stage loading processes by adopting multi-stage loading instead. By employing appropriate mold designs, material deformation and flow can be enhanced throughout gradual loading processes, thereby preventing strain concentration and enhancing the ultimate formation height accuracy within micro-flow channels. Consequently, the proposed three-stage forming process proves highly appropriate for the mass production of BPs utilizing titanium plates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Forming Process and Microstructure Evolution of Hard-to-Deform Metals)
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