Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Metallic Alloys and Composites

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Additive Manufacturing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 2695

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: additive manufacturing; materials characterization; metals and alloys; metal matrix composites; microstructural evolution; mechanical properties

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid advancement of technology, additive manufacturing has emerged as a pivotal tool in the research on and development of metallic alloys and composites. Its applications in microstructural control, performance optimization, and large-scale production are increasing. This Special Issue focuses on the recent advances of additive manufacturing technologies and characterization methods in the realm of metallic alloys and composites, aiming to delve into the evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties within additive manufacturing technology. We invite contributions showcasing innovative advancements in additive manufacturing or characterization methods. The emphasis lies on elucidating the complex behaviors, mechanical properties, phase transformations, and structural evolutions of metals and alloys through various material characterization techniques, spanning from the atomic and molecular to the macroscopic scales. Reviews introducing the recent advances in additive manufacturing techniques and material characterization technologies for metallic alloys and composites are invited. Additionally, interdisciplinary research is welcomed, such as hybrid additive–subtractive manufacturing, finite element simulations tailored for additive manufacturing, or robotic intelligent control. We invite scholars and experts to submit their work to join this effort to propel the innovative development of additive manufacturing technologies in the field of metallic materials.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. Dr. Xianfeng Li
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • additive manufacturing
  • materials characterization
  • metals and alloys
  • metal matrix composites
  • microstructural evolution
  • mechanical properties

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 14187 KiB  
Article
Composites Cu–Ti3SiC2 Obtained via Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing: Structure and Tribological Properties
by Maksim Krinitcyn, Egor Ryumin, Georgy Kopytov and Olga Novitskaya
Metals 2025, 15(5), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15050493 - 28 Apr 2025
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Abstract
In the present study, composites Cu–Ti3SiC2 were obtained via extrusion-based additive manufacturing technology. The composite was characterized in terms of its structure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties. The use of a low-energy additive manufacturing technique allows for the avoidance of [...] Read more.
In the present study, composites Cu–Ti3SiC2 were obtained via extrusion-based additive manufacturing technology. The composite was characterized in terms of its structure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties. The use of a low-energy additive manufacturing technique allows for the avoidance of the decomposition of the MAX phase while obtaining bulk samples. The optimal composition of 50 vol.% of Ti3SiC2 and 50 vol.% of Cu was selected based on the flow rate of feedstock melt and the density of the samples. The resulting composite exhibited a dense copper matrix with Ti3SiC2 and TiC inclusions, achieving 97% density and 62% IACS electrical conductivity. Tribological tests under varying loads, speeds, and temperatures demonstrated that increasing the load and speed increased the coefficient of friction and the wear rate, while higher temperatures reduced friction due to surface oxidation. Full article
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13 pages, 13923 KiB  
Article
Fabrication and Characterization of Vapor Gown Carbon Fiber/304L Matrix Stainless Steel Composite by Spark Plasma Sintering
by Peng Wang, Dongli Yu, Zhefeng Xu, Linxiang Zheng, Jinku Yu, Satoshi Motozuka, Mengying Zhu, Zhichao Fang and Gen Sasaki
Metals 2025, 15(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020115 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 654
Abstract
In this paper, VGCF/304L stainless steel composite was prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS) with 2 vol.% nanocarbon fiber. Then, phase content, grain size, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results showed that the Vickers hardness of 304L sintered stainless steel and the [...] Read more.
In this paper, VGCF/304L stainless steel composite was prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS) with 2 vol.% nanocarbon fiber. Then, phase content, grain size, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results showed that the Vickers hardness of 304L sintered stainless steel and the composite prepared by SPS under the condition of 950 °C for 10 min were 244 HV and 310 HV, respectively, which is an increase of about 27.0%. The yield strength ascended from 587.1 MPa to 890.2 MPa, registering an increase of approximately 51.6%. Concurrently, the ultimate tensile strength rose from 821.5 MPa to 1064.7 MPa, with an approximate increase of 29.6%. This method for improving the mechanical properties of stainless steel is expected to be widely adopted for producing fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites with excellent overall performance. Full article
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12 pages, 3614 KiB  
Article
Fatigue Crack Initiation and Growth Behaviors of Additively Manufactured Ti-6AI-4V Alloy After Hot Isostatic Pressing Post-Process
by Tao Zang, Ying Gao, Yuan Zhao, Pengfei Yang, Shiju E, Yang Liu, Jun Liang, Ye Zhang and Jiazhen Zhang
Metals 2024, 14(12), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14121350 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 984
Abstract
In this study, the fatigue crack initiation and growth behaviors of an additively manufactured (AM) Ti-6AI-4V alloy were investigated, and its prospect for fatigue applications was evaluated. The AM specimens were first fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and then underwent a cycle [...] Read more.
In this study, the fatigue crack initiation and growth behaviors of an additively manufactured (AM) Ti-6AI-4V alloy were investigated, and its prospect for fatigue applications was evaluated. The AM specimens were first fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and then underwent a cycle of annealing at 800 °C for 2 h and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment at 920 °C/150 MPa/3 h followed by surface machining. Prefabricated spherical defects with different diameters (1.0 mm and 2.0 mm) were introduced to examine the efficacy of HIP treatment for eliminating the built defects. Both fracture morphology and microstructure were characterized to reveal the failure mechanism of these tested specimens. The results suggest that both the fatigue lives and fatigue crack growth resistances of most SLM+HIP-processed specimens are much higher than those of traditional wrought material, thus highlighting that the AM Ti-6AI-4V alloy can be a better candidate for future fatigue applications. However, due to the large variability in fatigue performance, the current SLM+HIP-processed Ti-6Al-4V alloy still cannot meet the demand for high safety and reliability. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 3421 KiB  
Review
A Review on Material Dynamics in Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing: Bonding, Stress, and Structural Evolution in Metals
by Abishek Kafle, Shengjun Lu, Raman Silwal and Weihang Zhu
Metals 2025, 15(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020187 - 12 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 816
Abstract
CSAM is a solid-state process for depositing metal or metal-based composite materials in which the fine particles of metal or composite material are accelerated to supersonic velocity, making successful bonding feasible due to the high-impact velocity and heavy plastic deformation, all without the [...] Read more.
CSAM is a solid-state process for depositing metal or metal-based composite materials in which the fine particles of metal or composite material are accelerated to supersonic velocity, making successful bonding feasible due to the high-impact velocity and heavy plastic deformation, all without the melting of the feedstock material. This review examines the basic CSAM mechanism, including deposition dynamics, bonding mechanism, dynamic recrystallization, residual stress evolution, and post-spray heat treatments which affect microstructural and mechanical properties. Although controlled by a few key factors like particle velocity, strain rate, and temperature rise, the bonding efficiency itself refines the grains through dynamic recrystallization, hence improving coating strength and performance. The predominating compressive residual stresses that enhance fatigue resistance and mitigation strategies to improve coating durability by post-spray annealing and laser peening are discussed. This review, by providing an overview of material behavior, optimization techniques, and advanced modeling approaches, underlines the CSAM potential for high-performance applications in aerospace, biomedical industries, and machinery. It further underlines its importance for the advancement of manufacturing innovation and materials science. Full article
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