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Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems
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Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 3503

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Saurabh Tiwari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: alloy design; phase transformations; structure–property relationships; advanced characterization; nanomaterials; steels; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Nagireddy Gari Subba Reddy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Virtual Materials Laboratory, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Engineering Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
Interests: artificial neural networks (ANN); explainable AI (XAI); sustainability modeling; supercapacitor materials; structure–property relationships in steels; titanium and Al alloys
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The landscape of metallic materials is rapidly evolving through innovative approaches to composition design, microstructural engineering, and processing strategies. This Special Issue of Materials focuses on the emerging frontiers of next-generation alloys, encompassing nanostructured metals, complex steels, and multi-component systems that are redefining performance boundaries in engineering applications.

Modern alloy development is characterized by the deliberate manipulation of microstructures across multiple length scales to achieve unprecedented combinations of mechanical, functional, and environmental properties. Nanostructured metals offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios through grain refinement and architectural control. Complex steels leverage advanced compositions and transformation mechanisms to deliver superior performance in automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. Multi-component systems, including high-entropy alloys and complex concentrated alloys, challenge traditional metallurgical paradigms by exploring vast compositional spaces that were previously deemed impractical.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of structure–property relationships in these advanced metallic systems, while highlighting innovations in processing, characterization, and computational design approaches that enable their practical implementation.

Topics of Interest: We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Nanostructured Metals

  • Severe plastic deformation processing and ultra-fine-grained structures
  • Gradient and hierarchical microstructures
  • Nanotwin- and nanoprecipitation-strengthening mechanisms
  • Additive manufacturing of nanostructured alloys
  • Mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms at nanoscale

Complex Steels

  • Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) with novel compositions
  • TRIP/TWIP steels and transformation-induced mechanisms
  • High-manganese and high-aluminum steels
  • Low-density steels and lightweight steel concepts
  • Quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels
  • Complex carbide and intermetallic precipitation systems

Multi-Component Systems

  • High-entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs)
  • Complex concentrated alloys and multi-principal element alloys
  • Refractory high-entropy alloys for extreme environments
  • Lightweight multi-component alloys (Al-, Ti-, Mg-based)
  • Functional multi-component alloys (magnetic, electronic, catalytic)

Design and Processing Innovation

  • Computational alloy design and CALPHAD-based approaches
  • Machine learning and AI-driven materials discovery
  • Thermomechanical processing optimization
  • Novel casting and solidification strategies
  • Powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing processes

Advanced Characterization and Modeling

  • In situ and 4D microscopy techniques
  • Atom probe tomography and advanced analytical methods
  • Synchrotron-based characterization
  • Multi-scale modeling from atomistic to continuum
  • Phase-field modeling of microstructural evolution

Performance and Applications

  • Mechanical properties under extreme conditions
  • Fatigue and fracture resistance
  • Corrosion and oxidation behavior
  • Functional properties (magnetic, electrical, thermal)
  • Industrial applications and technology transfer

Dr. Saurabh Tiwari
Prof. Dr. Nagireddy Gari Subba Reddy
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • nanostructured metals
  • complex steels
  • high-entropy alloys
  • multi-component systems
  • microstructure engineering
  • advanced characterization
  • computational materials design
  • severe plastic deformation
  • TRIP/TWIP steels
  • additive manufacturing
  • machine learning in materials
  • phase transformations

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 3487 KB  
Article
Prediction of Hole Expansion Ratio in Advanced High-Strength Steels Using Physics-Informed Machine Learning
by Saurabh Tiwari, Khushbu Dash, Seongjun Heo, Nokeun Park and Nagireddy Gari Subba Reddy
Materials 2026, 19(8), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081592 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 451
Abstract
The hole expansion ratio (HER) is a critical formability metric for advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in automotive applications; however, its experimental determination is costly and time-consuming. This study presents a machine learning framework for HER prediction using physics-informed synthetic data generation to address [...] Read more.
The hole expansion ratio (HER) is a critical formability metric for advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in automotive applications; however, its experimental determination is costly and time-consuming. This study presents a machine learning framework for HER prediction using physics-informed synthetic data generation to address data scarcity challenges. A dataset of 300 AHSS conditions was generated based on validated empirical relationships from the literature, incorporating chemical composition, microstructure fractions, and mechanical properties. Multiple machine learning algorithms were evaluated, with the optimized Gradient Boosting model achieving excellent predictive performance on an independent test set (R2 = 0.80, RMSE = 5.81%, MAE = 4.93%). The feature importance analysis revealed physically meaningful rankings, with the ultimate tensile strength dominating (40.9%), followed by the bainite volume fraction (15.1%), martensite volume fraction (14.7%), and strain hardening exponent (12.4%). These rankings align with the established metallurgical understanding, thereby validating our synthetic data approach. The results demonstrate that machine learning models trained on physics-informed synthetic data can accurately predict the HER values with errors comparable to the experimental variability, providing a practical tool for accelerated AHSS design and optimization in automotive applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)
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12 pages, 3369 KB  
Article
Effect of Changes in Plastic Flow During Non-Steady State Deformation on Force Behavior in Micro-Extrusion of Pure Copper
by Keisuke Sugiyama, Masato Ito, Kenichi Yaguchi, Tatsuya Funazuka and Tomomi Shiratori
Materials 2026, 19(7), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19071374 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 329
Abstract
In recent years, copper-based conductive and heat dissipation components have required fine structures for miniaturization and enhanced functionality. Micro-forming is an excellent processing method characterized by high productivity and suitability for mass production. Since small workpieces can be formed within a short stroke [...] Read more.
In recent years, copper-based conductive and heat dissipation components have required fine structures for miniaturization and enhanced functionality. Micro-forming is an excellent processing method characterized by high productivity and suitability for mass production. Since small workpieces can be formed within a short stroke in micro-extrusion, it is important to understand the deformation behavior immediately after the start of extrusion. However, before steady state is attained, the evolution of microstructure and plastic flow with stroke progression during non-steady-state deformation has not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this study, to investigate the effect of changes in plastic flow on force behavior, micro-extrusion tests were conducted using pure copper. The geometric and crystallographic characteristics of the deformation structure were then analyzed. The extrusion force behavior exhibited three distinct stages, including a peak of the force. The force peak was attributed to changes in plastic flow associated with the deformation structure formed at the sample tip immediately after the start of extrusion. This change leads to the evolution of the effective extrusion ratio, which significantly influences the force response during non-steady-state deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)
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18 pages, 4166 KB  
Article
The Effects of Cr and Mo Additions on the Corrosion Behavior of Fe–Al Alloys in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 3.5 wt.% NaCl Aerated Aqueous Solutions
by Chao-Chun Yen, Ting-Hsu Chang, Yun-Xian Lin, Meng-Ying Wu and Shiow-Kang Yen
Materials 2026, 19(1), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19010190 - 4 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 661
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effects of Cr and Mo added to Fe-Al alloys on their corrosion behavior in acidic and chloride-containing environments. Corrosion tests were carried out in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 3.5 wt.% NaCl aerated aqueous solutions. [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the effects of Cr and Mo added to Fe-Al alloys on their corrosion behavior in acidic and chloride-containing environments. Corrosion tests were carried out in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 3.5 wt.% NaCl aerated aqueous solutions. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that all alloys exhibited predominantly body-centered cubic structures in the homogenized states. In the 0.5 M H2SO4 solution, the addition of Cr can effectively reduce the critical current density; however, the anodic and cathodic polarization curves still intersected three times, similar to the alloy without the addition of Cr, resulting in three corrosion potentials. With the further addition of Mo, the critical current density became much lower, leading to a single corrosion potential. In the 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, the addition of Cr alone markedly improved the pitting resistance of Fe-Al alloys, while the further addition of Mo broadened the passive region and increased the pitting potential. The analysis of ion concentrations was consistent with the potentiodynamic polarization results, verifying the stabilization of Mo on the passive film. It is evident that the addition of Cr promotes passivation of the Fe-Al alloy, and the further incorporation of Mo enhances this effect even more significantly. The related corrosion mechanisms are discussed with Nerst equations of metal–metal oxides and their solubility products (Ksp). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)
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17 pages, 16918 KB  
Article
Key Factors Influencing the Mechanical Properties of Binodal Decomposed Metallic Glass Composites
by Yongwei Wang, Guangping Zheng and Mo Li
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5593; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245593 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
Structural heterogeneity plays a crucial role in enhancing the mechanical properties of metallic glasses (MGs) by impeding the propagation of shear bands (SBs). Metallic glass matrix composites (MGCs) consisting of reinforcements are of great interest as they enhance the mechanical performance of brittle [...] Read more.
Structural heterogeneity plays a crucial role in enhancing the mechanical properties of metallic glasses (MGs) by impeding the propagation of shear bands (SBs). Metallic glass matrix composites (MGCs) consisting of reinforcements are of great interest as they enhance the mechanical performance of brittle MGs. However, managing the dispersity of hetero-phases within the glassy matrix presents technical challenges due to surface tension and thermal property incompatibility. Binodal phase separation is an effective approach for fabricating MGCs with uniformly dispersed glassy droplets or particles. The species of matrix and characteristics of particle reinforcements significantly influence mechanical properties. This study theoretically examines how the fraction, size, and variety of particle reinforcements influence performance using finite element models based on free volume theory. The synergistic mechanisms for performance tuning involve stress fields generated by particle reinforcements that modify the nucleation and propagation of SBs in the matrix. Additionally, the size effect of particles depends on their interaction with SBs. This comprehensive understanding could substantially enhance the design and optimization for MGCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)
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20 pages, 4177 KB  
Article
PEO Treatment for Improved Corrosion Resistance in a Zn-Mg Alloy: Electrochemical and Structural Analysis
by Ramona Cimpoeșu, Sorin Georgian Moga, Bogdan Istrate, Fabian Cezar Lupu, Nicanor Cimpoesu, Ana-Maria Roman, Gheorghe Bădărău, Ion Pătrașcu, Remus Diaconu and Romeu Chelariu
Materials 2025, 18(17), 4064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174064 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 869
Abstract
Zinc-based alloys have been extensively studied for their potential applications in biodegradable materials, yet their corrosion behaviour necessitates the development of effective surface treatments. In this study, a ZnMg alloy was developed by casting in an inert medium and subsequently treating it with [...] Read more.
Zinc-based alloys have been extensively studied for their potential applications in biodegradable materials, yet their corrosion behaviour necessitates the development of effective surface treatments. In this study, a ZnMg alloy was developed by casting in an inert medium and subsequently treating it with Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO). The corrosion behaviour was characterised in a 0.9% NaCl solution through Tafel polarisation, cyclic polarisation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Additionally, the surface morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDX analysis. The structure and phases of the oxide layer and of the corrosion products were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical results demonstrated a substantial decrease in the corrosion current density and an increase in the polarisation resistance for the treated samples. Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) modelling revealed the formation of a layer exhibiting distinct capacitive behaviour, comprising two distinct regions. XRD analysis confirmed evidence of corrosion compounds characteristic of chlorinated media on the surface. The findings indicated that PEO treatment enhanced the corrosion resistance of the ZnMg alloy, suggesting its suitability for biomedical applications or exposure to marine environments characterised by high levels of corrosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)
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