Aluminum Alloys and Aluminum-Based Matrix Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Because of their high specific strength, excellent corrosion resistance and workability, aluminum alloys have become one of the most crucial materials in achieving structural weight reduction, being widely used in aerospace, high-speed rail transit and automotive lightweight fields. The addition of alloying elements and corresponding deformation and/or heat treatment technology is fundamental to the improvement of aluminum alloy properties. The main alloying elements of deformed aluminum alloys include Cu, Mg, Si, Zn, Mn and Li, while the microalloying ones include rare earth elements represented by Sc and Er, and transitional elements such as Zr, Ag and Fe. In addition to Si, there are also Sr, Na, P, B, Ti and Sb introduced through modification in cast aluminum alloys. Aluminum-based composites with ceramic particles or graphene and carbon nanotubes have also attracted increasing attention due to their higher wear resistance and thermal stability.

Generally speaking, the preparation process of aluminum alloy products includes casting, homogenization, forming based on extrusion, stamping, stretching, forging or rolling, solid solution, quenching and aging. The grain size of an ingot and the degree of the composition segregation of alloying elements affect the technological performance and service performance through heredity. Powder metallurgy, rapid solidification or pressure casting are effective methods for reducing the as-cast grain size and composition segregation. The dynamic hardening and softening behaviors of materials are determined by the strain rate, temperature and strain variables. The study of the strain hardening behavior and thermal dynamic softening behavior is of great significance for the optimization of deformation parameters. The homogenization heat treatment can not only eliminate casting residual stress and reduce microsegregation, but also induce dispersoids to inhibit grain coarsening. The solid-solution treatment requires a balance between the degree of recrystallization and of solute atom saturation. The prediction and elimination of quenching residual stress have an important impact on the final performance. Ageing is the crucial strengthening technology of aluminum alloy. Therefore, the investigation of the evolution behavior of dispersoid and nanoprecipitation is important for performance control. In addition, the improvement of the welding, friction and wear performance, heat resistance of aluminum alloys and the concept of casting aluminum alloys without heat treatments are also worthy of attention.

This Special Issue aims to report on innovative research in the fields of composition design; forming, heat treatment and welding processes; microstructure and the property evolution of aluminum alloys.

Dr. Di Feng
Dr. Qianhao Zang
Dr. Ying Liu
Dr. Yunsoo Lee
Guest Editors

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