Microstructure and Deformation Mechanisms of Alloys

Dear Colleagues,

The rising demand for advanced alloys with tailored microstructures and optimized deformation mechanisms—while reducing the reliance on conventional methods—drives innovation in alloy design. This Special Issue, “Microstructure and Deformation Mechanisms of Alloys”, highlights the advances in controlling alloy microstructures across processing stages and their links to mechanical behavior.

Research on alloys has long targeted materials where traditional processing fails to achieve the desired microstructures or properties. Strategies like grain boundary engineering, phase transformation, and thermomechanical treatments have expanded applications to titanium alloys, high-strength steels, and lightweight composites. The precise control of composition, microstructural scales (atomic defects to microstructure), and deformation mechanisms (dislocation slip, twinning, phase change) is key to high-performance alloys.

Processing routes—from conventional casting/forging to additive manufacturing or severe plastic deformation—are critical to final microstructures and deformation traits. Controlling thermal gradients, strain rates, and kinetic parameters (e.g., laser/electric-field assistance) enables alloys with optimized strength–ductility synergy or damage tolerance, often eliminating the post-processing stage.

We invite studies on alloy processing, microstructure–deformation relationships, and fundamental/mechanistic insights (e.g., dislocation dynamics, interface-mediated deformation) or applied advances (e.g., extreme environment alloys). Focus areas include in situ deformation analysis, multi-scale modeling, and efficient processes for high-performance alloys. Contributions bridging microstructure design and practical applications (e.g., aerospace, energy) are highly encouraged.

Dr. Shiwei Tian
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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