Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Metals and Alloys

Dear Colleagues,

Current trends in research surrounding the mechanical properties of materials are primarily focused on controlling microstructures with micro–nanoscale dimensionalities. Generally, approaches to controlling these structures are based on top–down and bottom–up schemes.

Top–down methods involve inducing structural changes through hot plastic deformations in the monophase region, causing spontaneous braking recrystallization; these approaches are also used for multiphase structures. Plastic deformations are followed by a controlled cooling strategy which is used to control phase transformations. Plastic deformations can be performed using classical methods (rolling, forging, and extrusion) as well as severe plastic deformations (SPD) (hot ECAP and hot ECAR, etc.). The top–down regimes can be followed by heat treatments.

Bottom–up methods are based on the formation of structures using classical or SPD cold plastic deformations, which can also be followed by heat treatments.

For this Special Issue, we welcome papers which address the functional interactions between the external parameters of plastic deformations (temperature, deformation, and deformation rates) and their internal structural characteristics (recrystallization, precipitation, and phase transformation). Submitted research should provide a description of the influence of the chosen approach on grain refinement and the final mechanical properties of the material in question. Other research addressing approaches for refining structures and for determining mechanical properties will also be considered for publication.

Finally, research on the structural and property refinement of all bulk and powder metal materials, their alloys, and their treatment methods (e.g., additive manufacturing and cryo deformation) will be considered for publication.

Prof. Dr. Tibor Kvačkaj
Guest Editor

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