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Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties...
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Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metals

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 2141

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ludmila Kučerová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Univerzitni 2732/8, 301 00 Plzen, Czech Republic
Interests: the relationship between processing parameter microstructures and the mechanical properties of metals; microstructure analysis of metals with light and scanning electron microscopy; additively manufactured metals; advanced high-strength steels; in situ testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The influence of processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of metals is one of the key areas of research in materials science. The microstructure, which includes features such as grain size, phase fraction, morphology or distribution, porosity, and texture, has a direct effect on mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, ductility, and fatigue resistance. Different processing parameters—whether related to forming, heat treatment, or advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing—can significantly affect these characteristics. By carefully controlling these parameters, it is possible to design metals with specific properties suited to various applications, such as high strength, corrosion resistance, or good formability. Optimizing processing parameters is essential in the manufacturing of structural materials, especially in advanced materials and alloy design. This Special Issue welcomes articles focusing on the description and analysis of the effect of processing parameters of various technologies, such as forming, welding, heat treatment, and additive manufacturing, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the metals. Conventionally produced and additively manufactured bulk metal materials, surface layers, or metal powders are considered suitable materials for this special issue.

Prof. Dr. Ludmila Kučerová
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.

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Keywords

  • processing parameters
  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties
  • metals

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4138 KB  
Article
Turning Data Optimization of Titanium Alloy Produced by Casting and DMLS
by Ksenia Latosińska and Wojciech Zębala
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245583 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 269
Abstract
In manufacturing processes, both material processing methods and the resulting microstructure play a fundamental role in determining material behavior during component fabrication and subsequent service conditions. Materials produced by additive manufacturing exhibit a unique microstructure due to the rapid heating and solidification cycles [...] Read more.
In manufacturing processes, both material processing methods and the resulting microstructure play a fundamental role in determining material behavior during component fabrication and subsequent service conditions. Materials produced by additive manufacturing exhibit a unique microstructure due to the rapid heating and solidification cycles inherent to the process, distinguishing them from conventionally cast counterparts and leading to differences in mechanical and functional properties. This article presents problems related to the longitudinal turning of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy elements produced by the casting and powder laser sintering (DMLS) methods. The authors made an attempt to establish a procedure for determining the optimal parameters of finishing cutting while minimizing the specific cutting force, taking into account the criterion of machined surface quality. In the course of the experiments, the influence of the cutting data on the cutting force values, surface roughness parameters, and chip shape was examined. The material hardening state during machining and the variability of the specific cutting force as a function of the cross-sectional shape of the cutting layer were also tested. The authors presented a practical application of the proposed optimization algorithm. It was found that by changing the shape of the cross-section of the cutting layer, it was possible to carry out the turning process with significantly reduced specific cutting force (from 2300 N/mm2 to 1950 N/mm2) without deteriorating the surface roughness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metals)
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13 pages, 34475 KB  
Article
Characteristics of Tungsten Prepared by Hot Pressing at High Pressure
by Jiří Matějíček, Monika Vilémová, Andrii Rednyk, Hynek Hadraba, Zdeněk Chlup, František Lukáč, Romain Génois and Jakub Klečka
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235265 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Tungsten is a prime candidate material for the plasma-facing components of fusion reactors, thanks to its high melting point, high temperature strength, good thermal conductivity, high erosion resistance, etc. Yet, it has some limitations, mainly its brittle nature, difficulty of machining, and propensity [...] Read more.
Tungsten is a prime candidate material for the plasma-facing components of fusion reactors, thanks to its high melting point, high temperature strength, good thermal conductivity, high erosion resistance, etc. Yet, it has some limitations, mainly its brittle nature, difficulty of machining, and propensity to recrystallize at elevated temperatures. Among the approaches to the improvement of particular properties are alloying, dispersion strengthening, thermomechanical processing, and modifications to the sintering process. This study explores the possibility of combining fine powder size with ultra-high pressure to achieve significant densification at moderate temperatures during hot pressing. Two powder sizes and a range of temperatures from 1000 to 2000 °C were used, and their effects were observed. The resulting tungsten compacts were characterized for their microstructure, density, and mechanical and thermal properties. The high pressure enabled substantial densification already at relatively low temperatures, thanks to the plastic deformation of the powder particles. A significant degree of sintering, as manifested by the microstructural and property evolution, occurred however only at higher temperatures. The compacts exhibited brittleness, calling for further optimization of the method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metals)
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20 pages, 8243 KB  
Article
Press Hardening of High-Carbon Low-Density Steels
by Filip Votava, Ludmila Kučerová, Štěpán Jeníček, Radek Leták, Jiří Hájek and Zbyšek Nový
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225163 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
In this study, sheets of experimental high-carbon low-density steels (LDSs) with a thickness of 1.7 mm were processed in a combined tool designed for press-hardening. Press hardening, also known as hot stamping or hot press forming, is a manufacturing process used to create [...] Read more.
In this study, sheets of experimental high-carbon low-density steels (LDSs) with a thickness of 1.7 mm were processed in a combined tool designed for press-hardening. Press hardening, also known as hot stamping or hot press forming, is a manufacturing process used to create car body parts with exceptional mechanical properties and safety standards. These components often require tailored properties, meaning different mechanical characteristics in various parts of the component. LDSs have a lower specific density than conventional steels, so their use would be particularly suitable in automotive applications. Combined tools achieve distinct mechanical properties within a single part through thermomechanical processing. Simultaneous forming and heat treatment create tailored zones of high strength and ductility within the sheet metal. The hardened zone provides crashworthiness, while the more ductile zone absorbs kinetic energy and converts it into deformation energy. Hot stamping enables forming complex geometries from high-strength sheets with limited cold formability, a capability that can also be exploited for the aluminium-alloyed LDS under investigation in this work. Three different high-carbon LDSs with differences in chemical composition were subjected to this experiment, and the hardness, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the two areas of each sheet were evaluated. The aim is to determine their suitability for processing by press hardening and to try to achieve tailored properties (i.e., differences in ductility and strength across one part) as in a typical representative of 22MnB5 boron steel, where a strength limit of 1500 MPa at 5% ductility is achieved in the cooled part and 600 MPa at 15% in the heated part. Tailored properties were also achieved in the investigated LDS, but with only relatively small differences between the two tool areas. The omega profiles were produced by press hardening without visible defects, and it was possible to process the steels without any difficulties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metals)
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15 pages, 3038 KB  
Article
Analysis of Strain Hardening Processes of AISI 316 LN Austenitic Stainless Steel
by Tibor Kvačkaj, Jana Bidulská, Ľuboš Kaščák, Alica Fedoríková and Róbert Bidulský
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4268; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184268 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
The primary objective of this contribution is to numerically and graphically evaluate engineering stress–strain curves, transform them into true stress–strain curves, and de-scribe the key points of material processed by cold rolling with strains of εRoll = 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%. [...] Read more.
The primary objective of this contribution is to numerically and graphically evaluate engineering stress–strain curves, transform them into true stress–strain curves, and de-scribe the key points of material processed by cold rolling with strains of εRoll = 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%. The initial and final conditions for uniform plastic deformations have been described. The initial point of uniform deformation lies above the onset yield strength value (σT,S > RP0,2). The necking point, as the final point of uniform deformation, was determined as the intersection point of the curves of the true stress–strain and strain hardening rate. The strain hardening coefficient and the recovery rate, as a function of cold rolling deformations, were derived. Convex polyhedra were derived which describe the dependencies of the development of maximal strain hardening rate values (θMax) and initial strain hardening rates (θ0) as a function of cold rolling deformations and the diameter of grain. The decisive point at which the curves showed a local maximum was a cold rolling deformation εRoll = 30%. The saturation stress required to initiate dynamic recovery of the microstructure is significantly higher than the stress necessary for necking (σT,Sat > σT,Neck). The saturation strain required to initiate dynamic recovery of the microstructure is significantly higher than the strain needed for necking formation (εT,Sat > εT,Neck). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metals)
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