Synthesis, Processing and Applications of New Forms of Metals

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 November 2025 | Viewed by 994

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Interests: synthesis, characterization, and applications of various novel functional nanomaterials in energy conversion and storage
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Guest Editor
School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
Interests: synthesis and characterization of IF-WS2; CNT; graphene; 2D materials; W18O49/NiO for energy generation and storage applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Interests: application of polymer materials in energy storage; polymer electrolyte for lithium ion battery; gel electrolyte; surface coatings

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of metals cannot be overstated, even in the 21st century with the rapid development of other new materials such as polymers, ceramics and composites. As the most widely used material type in virtually every aspect of our modern society, from applications of their bulk forms of sheets, rods and beams in traditional building, automobile, aircraft and white good industries to applications of their new forms as coatings, particles, fibers and wires of micro/nano-meter scale in modern chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental, nuclear and electronic industries, metals are becoming more and more attractive for future technological advances. The use of metallic catalysis, electrodes, filters, connectors, cables, etc., has significantly contributed to energy generation, transportation, storage and saving, as well as more efficient, lightweight, high-performance and cost-effective devices and machineries.  New processing and manufacturing techniques have boosted the exploration of both traditional and new metallic materials in emerging technological fields, which are the driving force of this Special Issue. To highlight the progress made and the challenges facing these metallic materials, this Special Issue aims to report new, recent research developments in the broad technological areas involving metal alloys, compounds, composites and particles.

Contributions of original research, reports and review articles are welcome in this Special Issue. The specific areas to be covered include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The structure, processing and properties of different metals.
  2. New techniques of metallic material manufacturing and processing.
  3. The characterization of microstructural features of metals.
  4. The functionalities of new forms of metals beyond their strength, ductility, hardness and modulus.
  5. Applications of new forms of metals in catalysis, pharmaceuticals, energy and the environment.
  6. The service behavior of metallic materials in extreme environments and the design of special coatings.
  7. High-performance aluminum alloys, copper alloys, steels, etc.
  8. The simulation of metallurgical process during the fabrication of metals.

Prof. Dr. Yanqiu Zhu
Dr. Nannan Wang
Prof. Dr. Junhua Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • microstructure
  • property
  • processing
  • advanced alloys
  • high-entropy alloys
  • modeling and simulation
  • oxidation
  • corrosion
  • coatings

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 14812 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Yttrium Addition on the Solidification Microstructure and Sigma Phase Precipitation Behavior of S32654 Super Austenitic Stainless Steel
by Jun Xiao, Geng Tian, Di Wang, Shaoguang Yang, Kuo Cao, Jianhua Wei and Aimin Zhao
Metals 2025, 15(7), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15070798 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
This study focuses on S32654 super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) and systematically characterizes the morphology of the sigma (σ) phase and the segregation behavior of alloying elements in its as-cast microstructure. High-temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy (HT-CSLM) was employed to investigate the effect [...] Read more.
This study focuses on S32654 super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) and systematically characterizes the morphology of the sigma (σ) phase and the segregation behavior of alloying elements in its as-cast microstructure. High-temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy (HT-CSLM) was employed to investigate the effect of the rare earth element yttrium (Y) on the solidification microstructure and σ phase precipitation behavior of SASS. The results show that the microstructure of SASS consists of austenite dendrites and interdendritic eutectoid structures. The eutectoid structures mainly comprise the σ phase and the γ2 phase, exhibiting lamellar or honeycomb-like morphologies. Regarding elemental distribution, molybdenum displays a “concave” distribution pattern within the dendrites, with lower concentrations at the center and higher concentrations at the sides; when Mo locally exceeds beyond a certain threshold, it easily induces the formation of eutectoid structures. Mo is the most significant segregating element, with a segregation ratio as high as 1.69. The formation mechanism of the σ phase is attributed to the solid-state phase transformation of austenite (γ → γ2 + σ). In the late stages of solidification, the concentration of chromium and Mo in the residual liquid phase increases, and due to insufficient diffusion, there are significant compositional differences between the interdendritic regions and the matrix. The enriched Cr and Mo cause the interdendritic austenite to become supersaturated, leading to solid-state phase transformation during subsequent cooling, thereby promoting σ phase precipitation. The overall phase transformation process can be summarized as L → L + γ → γ → γ + γ2 + σ. Y microalloying has a significant influence on the solidification process. The addition of Y increases the nucleation temperature of austenite, raises nucleation density, and refines the solidification microstructure. However, Y addition also leads to an increased amount of eutectoid structures. This is primarily because Y broadens the solidification temperature range of the alloy and prolongs grain growth perio, which aggravates the microsegregation of elements such as Cr and Mo. Moreover, Y raises the initial precipitation temperature of the σ phase and enhances atomic diffusion during solidification, further promoting σ phase precipitation during the subsequent eutectoid transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Processing and Applications of New Forms of Metals)
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15 pages, 3467 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of a Vanadium-Substituted Fe–Ti-Based Ternary Alloy via Mechanical Alloying, Compacting, and Post-Annealing
by Abhishek Kumar Patel, Davide Violi, Ivan Lorenzon, Carlo Luetto, Paola Rizzi and Marcello Baricco
Metals 2025, 15(7), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15070723 - 28 Jun 2025
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Abstract
In this study, we address the need for sustainable and scalable synthesis routes for hydrogen storage materials by developing a FeTi alloy in which vanadium (V) partially substitutes for titanium (Ti). The alloy was synthesized using mechanical alloying, compaction, and post-annealing, employing industrial-grade [...] Read more.
In this study, we address the need for sustainable and scalable synthesis routes for hydrogen storage materials by developing a FeTi alloy in which vanadium (V) partially substitutes for titanium (Ti). The alloy was synthesized using mechanical alloying, compaction, and post-annealing, employing industrial-grade Fe and Ti powders and an alternative to pure vanadium, i.e., ferrovanadium (Fe–V). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the mechanically alloyed mixture revealed the partial formation of a Fe(V) solid solution, along with residual Ti. Subsequent compaction and annealing at 1000 °C led to the formation of the FeTi(V) phase, accompanied by two minor secondary phases, Fe2Ti and Fe2Ti4O. A maximum phase yield of 90% for FeTi was achieved after 48 h of annealing. The novelty of this work lies in the demonstration of a sustainable and economical synthesis approach for V-substituted FeTi alloys using industrial-grade raw materials, offering a potential reduction in the carbon footprint compared with conventional melting techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Processing and Applications of New Forms of Metals)
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