Advances in Strengthening Mechanism and Plastic Properties of Metallic Materials
A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Structural Integrity of Metals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: multiscale modeling; gradient nanostructured materials; high entropy alloy; constitutive modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: strain gradient plasticity; crystal plasticity; dislocation dynamics; constitutive model
Interests: theory and simulation of plasticity; fracture and failure; microstructure modeling and microstructure optimization of structural materials; multiscale modelling; machine learning and data driven approaches to materials modelling and materials design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing our fundamental understanding of the strengthening mechanisms and plastic properties of metallic materials. Plastic deformation in metals is governed by complex interactions among dislocations, phase structures, and microstructural features, such as grain size, precipitates, and crystallographic texture. Gaining deeper insight into these mechanisms is crucial for developing high-performance metallic materials for use in a wide range of engineering applications.
We welcome authors to submit original research articles and reviews that focus on the strengthening mechanism and plastic properties of metallic materials at various length scales. Topics of interest include dislocation slip, cross-slip, twinning, phase transformation-induced plasticity, solid solution strengthening, precipitation hardening, and HDI strengthening/hardening. Studies exploring the effects of grain refinement, texture evolution, and thermomechanical treatment on the uniaxial/cyclic plastic behavior are also encouraged. Contributions that employ advanced experimental techniques, such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and in situ mechanical testing, are particularly welcome. Additionally, multiscale theoretical modeling and simulations—including molecular dynamics simulation, discrete dislocation dynamics simulation, crystal plasticity simulation, and conventional finite element simulation—that offer mechanistic insight into plastic deformation mechanisms and the microstructure–property relations are highly valued.
The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research that addresses key scientific questions in metal plasticity and strengthening. We aim to foster cross-disciplinary dialog and promote the development of physics-based frameworks for interpreting mechanical behavior, ultimately guiding the design of next-generation metallic materials with superior mechanical properties.
Prof. Dr. Xu Zhang
Dr. Jianfeng Zhao
Prof. Dr. Michael Zaiser
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. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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
- metallic materials
- strengthening mechanisms
- plastic deformation
- mechanical property
- material characterization
- multiscale modeling and simulation
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