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Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Additive Manufacturing of Steels

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025 | Viewed by 3391

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Bodva Industry and Innovation Cluster, Budulov 174, 04501 Moldava nad Bodvou, Slovakia
Interests: powder metallurgy; additive manufacturing; metals and alloys; metallurgical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia
Interests: powder metallurgy; metal forming; ECAP; ECAR; additive manufacturing; metal and alloys; light-weight materials; soft magnetic materials; microstructure; porosity; mechanical properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metals and alloys are widely used as automotive components, radio and electrical equipment, precision tools for flight controls, and telecommunications devices. Various plastic-forming processes produce high-performance parts with complex shapes with varying levels of accuracy and surface quality. Moreover, advanced plastic deformation processes can greatly improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of metal materials. It is crucial to study the microstructure developments and properties of metals and alloys in the whole life cycle to promote the development and application of final products. This Special Issue aims to publish original, important, and developed research papers that focus on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and additive manufacturing of steels.

In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of the latest research on the appropriate topics, including, but not limited to, the following: metal-forming processes; finite element simulation technology during plastic deformation; the severe plastic deformation process of metal materials; microstructure evolution; mechanical properties test; and additive manufacturing of steels.

Dr. Robert Bidulský
Dr. Jana Bidulská
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • metals
  • alloys
  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties
  • additive manufacturing
  • joining
  • simulation
  • metal forming

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 16709 KiB  
Article
Effect of Plate Thickness on the Laser-Welded Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 22MnB5 Hot-Forming Steel
by Kaixuan Sang, Xin Li, Yu Zhang, Lingling Yi, Jing Chen, Yuting Lu and Zhengwei Gu
Materials 2024, 17(24), 6138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17246138 - 15 Dec 2024
Viewed by 714
Abstract
To meet the development and application needs of advanced high-strength steel, the laser welding of 22MnB5 hot-forming steel plates with thicknesses of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm was studied in this paper. Mechanical testing revealed that as plate thickness increased, the [...] Read more.
To meet the development and application needs of advanced high-strength steel, the laser welding of 22MnB5 hot-forming steel plates with thicknesses of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm was studied in this paper. Mechanical testing revealed that as plate thickness increased, the tensile strength of welded joints decreased from 1489 MPa to 1357 MPa and 1275 MPa, equating to 96%, 91%, and 88% of the corresponding base metal strength, respectively. The heat-affected zone exhibited the lowest mechanical properties. Microstructural characterization showed that with increasing plate thickness, martensite grains in the welded joints grew larger, transitioning from fine acicular to larger island structures. Concurrently, dislocation density in the welded joints decreased gradually. Furthermore, microstructural changes in the heat-affected zone were more pronounced than those in the fusion zone. The larger grain size and reduced dislocation density softened the joint structure, which consequently decreased the strength and hardness of the welded joint. Laser-welded joints of three thicknesses can exceed 85% of the corresponding base metal strength, demonstrating strong industrial application potential. Full article
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16 pages, 3283 KiB  
Article
Design and Analysis of Fluorine-Free Mold Fluxes for Continuous Casting of Peritectic Steels
by Márcia Maria da Silva Monteiro Pereira, Hervé Tavernier, Tiago dos Santos Junior and Fernando Vernilli
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5947; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235947 - 4 Dec 2024
Viewed by 756
Abstract
Fluorine-based mold fluxes are critical for continuous casting of peritectic steels, controlling heat transfer and preventing cracks. However, environmental and health concerns associated with fluorine have spurred the search for alternative flux compositions. This study applied a factorial design to explore the effects [...] Read more.
Fluorine-based mold fluxes are critical for continuous casting of peritectic steels, controlling heat transfer and preventing cracks. However, environmental and health concerns associated with fluorine have spurred the search for alternative flux compositions. This study applied a factorial design to explore the effects of Na2O, TiO2, B2O3, and fluorine on key properties such as viscosity, crystallization temperature, and melting behavior. Analytical methods, including viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), combined with thermodynamic modeling, were used to evaluate performance. Four formulations were selected based on factorial design results. Sample A, with high Na2O, exhibited intense crystallization of merwinite (Ca3MgSi2O8) and perovskite (CaTiO3). Sample B, incorporating B2O3, had reduced crystallization and suitable viscosity (2.97 Pa·s). Sample C, with a slightly higher fluorine content than Sample B and without B2O3, presented balanced low viscosity (1.75 Pa·s) with a moderate crystallization tendency. Sample D, free of fluorine and B2O3, showed high viscosity (4.58 Pa·s) and significant crystallization. These results demonstrate that fluorine-free fluxes with properties comparable to fluorine-based compositions can be developed, offering a sustainable alternative for steelmaking. Industrial trials are necessary to validate their performance under operational conditions. Full article
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15 pages, 4907 KiB  
Article
Post-Processing Effect on the Corrosion Resistance of Super Duplex Stainless Steel Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
by Zbigniew Brytan, Mengistu Dagnaw, Jana Bidulská, Róbert Bidulský and Mohd Ridha Muhamad
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122807 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1298
Abstract
This study examines the microstructural characteristics and corrosion resistance of super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) produced through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The analysis shows that the as-printed samples mainly exhibit a ferritic microstructure, which is due to the fast-cooling rates of the [...] Read more.
This study examines the microstructural characteristics and corrosion resistance of super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) produced through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The analysis shows that the as-printed samples mainly exhibit a ferritic microstructure, which is due to the fast-cooling rates of the LPBF technique. X-ray and microstructure analyses reveal the presence of minor austenite phases in the ferritic matrix. The process of solution annealing led to a more balanced microstructure. Analyses of corrosion resistance, such as potentiodynamic polarization tests and EIS, indicate that heat treatment has a significant impact on the corrosion behavior of SDSS. Solution annealing and stress relieving at 400 °C for 1 h can improve corrosion resistance by increasing polarization resistance and favorable EIS parameters. However, stress relieving at 550 °C for 5 h may reduce the material’s corrosion resistance due to the formation of chromium nitride. Therefore, stress relieving at 400 °C for 1 h is a practical method to significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of LPBF-printed SDSS. This method offers a balance between microstructural integrity and material performance. Full article
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