Plastic Processing, Rolling, Microstructure, and Performance Optimization of Metals

Dear Colleagues,

As an essential pillar of modern manufacturing, metal rolling is one of the most widely used plastic processing technologies for transforming metallic materials into finished products. From automotive lightweighting and aerospace structural components to energy infrastructure and construction engineering, rolled metal products form the backbone of virtually every industrial sector. Over the past century, continuous innovations in rolling technology have driven remarkable progress in material processing efficiency, product quality, and application breadth.

However, the field today faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Disparities in process technological capabilities, insufficient product homogeneity and stability, and a relatively low degree of process intelligence remain critical bottlenecks. Simultaneously, the global push for green, efficient, low-carbon, and intelligent manufacturing has made the sustainable transformation of rolling technologies an urgent strategic priority. The rise of digital science and artificial intelligence—exemplified by the rapid advancement of machine learning and industrial big data analytics—has opened new avenues for understanding and optimizing the complex interplay between plastic deformation, microstructural evolution, and final mechanical performance. In this context, the deep integration of advanced experimental characterization, high-fidelity numerical simulation, and data-driven modeling is reshaping the landscape of metal rolling research.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to plastic processing, rolling technologies, microstructure characterization, and performance optimization of metals. We invite contributions addressing the fundamental understanding and engineering applications of rolling-induced deformation mechanisms, microstructural evolution, and property control across a wide spectrum of metallic materials—including steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, copper alloys, high-entropy alloys, and metal matrix composites. Particular emphasis is placed on bridging the gap between process innovation, microstructure engineering, and service performance optimization, paving the way for the next generation of high-performance metallic products.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced rolling processes and novel equipment development (asymmetric rolling, variable thickness rolling, twin-roll strip casting, progressive rolling, etc.).
• Microstructure evolution and control during rolling (recrystallization, grain refinement, phase transformation, heterogeneous deformation, etc.).
• Plastic deformation mechanisms and constitutive modeling of metallic materials.
• Thermomechanical processing (TMCP) and rolling–heat treatment integration.
• Numerical simulation and multi-scale modeling of rolling processes (finite element method, crystal plasticity, phase-field modeling, etc.).
• Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and industrial big data applications in rolling.
• Online quality inspection, precision control, and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Rolling of lightweight alloys (Al, Mg, Ti) and advanced material systems (high-entropy alloys, metal matrix composites, laminated/cladding composites).
• Structure–property relationships and performance optimization of rolled products.
• Green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient rolling technologies.
• Severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques for ultra-fine grain and nanostructured materials.

We cordially invite researchers, engineers, and academics from both academia and industry to contribute original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and short communications that advance the fundamental understanding and practical applications of metal rolling and plastic processing.

Prof. Dr. Lipo Yang
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.

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-anonymized 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.