Recent Progress in Metal Rolling Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Metal rolling, a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, is undergoing a transformative shift toward intelligent and sustainable production. Recent advancements are centered on the integration of digital technologies, such as data-driven models, headless rolling processes, and dynamic digital twins, to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, consistency, and material performance. The application of artificial intelligence, particularly through deep learning and reinforcement learning, has enabled real-time process optimization, precise quality prediction, and adaptive control in rolling mills. Additionally, innovations in ultra-fine grain processing, green manufacturing routes, and flexible production systems are addressing challenges related to advanced high-strength steels and customized small-batch orders, while aligning with global sustainability goals.

This Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Intelligent Rolling Systems: AI-driven control strategies, digital twin platforms, and industrial IoT applications for real-time monitoring and optimization.
2. Data- and Mechanism-Driven Modeling: Hybrid modeling combining physical knowledge with machine learning (e.g., physics-informed neural networks, ensemble learning) for force, shape, and quality prediction.
3. Advanced Rolling Processes: Innovations in thin-strip rolling, flexible rolling, and energy-saving short-process routes.
4. Sustainable Manufacturing: Low-carbon technologies, circular economy practices, and lifecycle assessment in rolling processes.

This upcoming Special Issue of Metals aims to present recent progress in metal rolling processes, with a specific emphasis on innovations in rolling technologies, materials engineering, process simulation, and machine learning-based modeling and optimization. We cordially invite researchers and engineers to contribute original research articles or reviews that showcase the latest achievements and developments in this field, with submissions ideally highlighting innovative methodologies, industrial applications, or theoretical breakthroughs that advance the field. All contributions will undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure high quality and relevance, and we look forward to your valuable insights and groundbreaking work, as well as any comments and suggestions for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Jingguo Ding
Prof. Dr. Xu Li
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. 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.