Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Casting, Forming and Heat Treatment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 10499

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Hochschule Stralsund—University of Applied Sciences, 18435 Stralsund, Germany
Interests: magnesium; processing; biomaterial; alloy development
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Assistant Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Hochschule Stralsund—University of Applied Sciences, 18435 Stralsund, Germany
Interests: aluminium; processing; selective laser melting; joining by forming

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

New methods of characterization as well as new process routes are available for the development of innovative materials and assemblies for application in the aerospace and automotive industries, especially new drive technology, as well as for biomedical applications. Despite the competition from other materials, the importance of metals for structural applications has essentially remained unchanged when recycling, formability, high strength and stiffness, and high-temperature strength are taken into account. The interplay between the processing, microstructure and properties of materials has always been a high priority in materials science and technology, and will be reflected in the studies in this Special Issue. The leap forward in the characterization of materials (X-ray, high-resolution SEM or TEM and spectroscopy) enables better description of material reactions when new process routes are used. By means of new processes—additive manufacturing (e.g., direct energy deposition, selective laser beam melting) and joining by forming should be highlighted here—innovative design approaches can be implemented and the idea of sustainability is addressed by optimized material selection, reduced material waste and reevaluated recycling routes.

This Special Issue aims to compile a list of scientific papers focusing on the design, processing and characterization of metallic materials that have contributed to our understanding of material behavior. The goal of this Special Issue is to continue to show the advances in characterization methods. It should become clear that design, processing and characterization must go hand in hand.

Prof. Dr. Petra Maier
Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Normen Fuchs
Assistant Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metals
  • design approaches
  • process routes
  • microstructure
  • characterization
  • recycling
  • direct energy deposition
  • selective laser melting
  • joining by forming
  • additive manufacturing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 6410 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Mechanical and Microstructural Fluctuations of High-Strength Steels and Their Effect on Bending Angle
by Laura Muñiz, Javier Trinidad and Lander Galdos
Metals 2023, 13(9), 1603; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13091603 - 15 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1400
Abstract
The quality and complexity demands of manufactured parts in sectors such as automotive and aeronautics lead to narrower process windows. This affects the repeatability and stability of the process, where material properties and process variations have a major impact. In bending processes, the [...] Read more.
The quality and complexity demands of manufactured parts in sectors such as automotive and aeronautics lead to narrower process windows. This affects the repeatability and stability of the process, where material properties and process variations have a major impact. In bending processes, the bending angle is affected by variability in mechanical and microstructural properties, especially in high-strength materials. To address this, mechanical and microstructural characterization is crucial. This study conducted mechanical and microstructural characterization on five high-strength steels from different suppliers: three DP980 and two CP980. These materials are currently used by an industrial company in the automotive sector to manufacture a real product by means of U-bending, where a real issue of variability exists. Tensile tests were performed to quantify mechanical fluctuations. Microstructural analysis was also performed to determine the grain size and volume fractions of martensite and ferrite in the case of DP980, and ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite in the case of CP980. The largest variations were found for the hardening exponent, mean grain size, and elongation. To analyze their variability in an industrial process, U-bending tests were carried out using the five materials and the bending angle after the springback was measured. A total of 250 pieces were bent for the different materials and press strokes. Variations up to 1.25° in bending angle were found between the five batches for the same press stroke. A quantitative correlation analysis was performed to estimate the influence of the different parameters on the bending angle, where sheet thickness and tensile strength were shown to be two of the most influential parameters. Knowing this influence based on the variability of the properties, a control approach can be developed to reduce defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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17 pages, 10924 KiB  
Article
Description of the New Eutectic Al-Ca-Cu System in the Aluminum Corner
by Torgom K. Akopyan, Nikolay A. Belov, Nikolay V. Letyagin, Stanislav O. Cherkasov and Xuan D. Nguen
Metals 2023, 13(4), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13040802 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2009
Abstract
The structure of the new ternary eutectic Al-Ca-Cu system considered as a replacement for the ternary eutectic system Al-Ce-Cu widely used for additive manufacturing has been studied using experimental techniques. The liquidus projection of the Al-Ca-Cu system in the aluminum corner has been [...] Read more.
The structure of the new ternary eutectic Al-Ca-Cu system considered as a replacement for the ternary eutectic system Al-Ce-Cu widely used for additive manufacturing has been studied using experimental techniques. The liquidus projection of the Al-Ca-Cu system in the aluminum corner has been suggested based on experiential studies of the microstructure and phase composition of model alloys. The suggested structure of the diagram has two quasi-binary sections: (Al)-Al27Ca3Cu7 and (Al)-Al8CaCu4 and three invariant eutectic transformations: L→(Al) + (Al,Cu)4Ca + Al27Ca3Cu7 (at 5.6 wt.% Ca, 4.5 wt.% Cu, 595 °C), L→(Al) + Al27Ca3Cu7 + Al8CaCu4 (at 2.2 wt.% Ca, 13.5 wt.% Cu, 594 °C) and L→(Al) + Al8CaCu4 + Al2Cu (at 0.5 wt.% Ca, 34 wt.% Cu, 544 °C). The limit solubility of copper in aluminum solid solution (Al) at 530 °C reaches ~5.1 wt.% in the ternary phase field (Al) + Al8CaCu4 + Al2Cu and drops to ~2.4 wt.% in the (Al) + Al8CaCu4 + Al27Ca3Cu7 ternary phase field. For the example of the model ternary hypoeutectic alloys with a predominant content of the eutectic (Al,Cu)4Ca phase, it has been shown that the system is promising for designing new eutectic-type alloys with a natural composite structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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11 pages, 3777 KiB  
Article
Insight into the FCC→HCP Transformation in Co-Rich Co-Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni High-Entropy Alloys
by Yuchen Wang, Changjun Wu, Ya Liu, Mengyun Tian, Xiaowang Lu and Xuping Su
Metals 2023, 13(3), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13030504 - 2 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2270
Abstract
The existence of an HCP phase in FCC-type high-entropy alloys can improve the alloy’s mechanical properties. In many cases, an HCP phase is induced by deformation. In the present work, an FCC to HCP transition was detected during the cooling of Co1.5 [...] Read more.
The existence of an HCP phase in FCC-type high-entropy alloys can improve the alloy’s mechanical properties. In many cases, an HCP phase is induced by deformation. In the present work, an FCC to HCP transition was detected during the cooling of Co1.5CrFeMnNi0.5 and Co1.75CrFeMnNi0.25 alloys. Therefore, arc-melted annealed CoxCrFeMnNi2−x (x = 0.25–1.75) alloys that were then subjected to long-term vacuuming were investigated using XRD, DSC, HT-XRD, thermodynamic calculation, and first-principle calculation. It was confirmed that the FCC to HCP transition occurred at ~450 °C during the cooling of the alloys with x ≥ 1.5. The volume fraction of the HCP phase increased with Co content. It was proven that the HCP phase was not stable above 600 °C. First-principle calculations further indicated that the HCP structure was more stable than the FCC structure for Co1.75CrFeMnNi0.25 alloy, and there was a likelihood of an FCC to HCP transition. Moreover, experimental tests confirmed that the microhardness of the Co1.75CrFeMnNi0.25 alloy reached 213 HV because it contained a substantial HCP phase. This value is much higher than those of other non-HCP-containing alloys, either in their as-cast states or after annealing. These results provide guidance for the design of FCC-type high-entropy alloys with desirable mechanical properties through HCP phase strengthening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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8 pages, 4180 KiB  
Communication
Effect of Temperature on Tribological Behavior of FeCrNi Medium Entropy Alloy
by Ao Fu, Zhonghao Xie, Weiwei He and Yuankui Cao
Metals 2023, 13(2), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13020282 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1389
Abstract
FeCrNi medium entropy alloy (MEA) is a promising structural material due to its outstanding mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, study on the high-temperature tribological behaviors of FeCrNi MEA is still scarce. This work investigates the tribological performances of the FeCrNi MEA against [...] Read more.
FeCrNi medium entropy alloy (MEA) is a promising structural material due to its outstanding mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, study on the high-temperature tribological behaviors of FeCrNi MEA is still scarce. This work investigates the tribological performances of the FeCrNi MEA against Si3N4 balls over typical operating temperatures from 25 to 800 °C. The FeCrNi MEA exhibits excellent wear resistance at an intermediate temperature of 600 °C. The microstructure characterization of the wear tracks reveals a transition in the wear mechanism from abrasive wear at 25 °C to oxidative-delamination wear at 600 °C. The improved tribological performances are mainly attributed to the high Cr content, which promotes the formation of the compact oxide layer and the precipitation of the hard sigma (σ) phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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13 pages, 21354 KiB  
Article
Impact of the Ultrasonic-Assisted Casting of an AlSi7Mg Alloy on T6 Heat Treatment
by Inês V. Gomes, José Grilo, Vitor H. Carneiro and Hélder Puga
Metals 2023, 13(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13020255 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1564
Abstract
In this work, the effect of ultrasonic vibration during solidification on the aging kinetics of an AlSi7Mg alloy is investigated. With the ultrasonic equipment coupled to the mold walls, melt treatment was performed by two approaches: (i) fully above liquidus (>635 °C); and [...] Read more.
In this work, the effect of ultrasonic vibration during solidification on the aging kinetics of an AlSi7Mg alloy is investigated. With the ultrasonic equipment coupled to the mold walls, melt treatment was performed by two approaches: (i) fully above liquidus (>635 °C); and (ii) in the full range between liquidus and solidus (630 °C→ 550 °C). Cast samples were then subjected to T6 heat treatment for different aging times. It is shown that indirect ultrasound treatment increases the cooling rate while active. The eutectic Si was refined and further modified when ultrasound treatment was performed in the semisolid state. Due to the significant release of solute during the decomposition of π-Al8FeMg3Si6 into fine β-Al5FeSi, this has a significant impact in the solution stage. Ultrasound treatment fully above liquidus decreased the underaging time to 50% and peak aging time to 25% without compromising strength. The results suggest aging kinetics are correlated with a higher vacancy density and solute enrichment which favors Guinier–Preston (GP) zone formation. These findings show a promising route to tailor the aging kinetics in these alloys by selectively modifying phases and cooling rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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Review

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17 pages, 2086 KiB  
Review
Effect of Composition and Thermal Treatments on Mechanical Properties and Applications of Quenching and Partitioning Steels
by Michele Maria Tedesco, Daniele De Caro, Paola Rizzi and Marcello Baricco
Metals 2023, 13(10), 1757; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13101757 - 16 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
In this review, we compared nine different chemical compositions and several heat treatments applied on quenching and partitioning steels investigated in the literature. All of these parameters were correlated to the reported mechanical properties (e.g., yield, tensile strength, elongation and toughness). Sustainability and [...] Read more.
In this review, we compared nine different chemical compositions and several heat treatments applied on quenching and partitioning steels investigated in the literature. All of these parameters were correlated to the reported mechanical properties (e.g., yield, tensile strength, elongation and toughness). Sustainability and a circular economy approach for applications in the automotive sector were also considered, providing hints for lightweighting in the car industry and the next possible steps to improve the decarbonization of the steel industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterisation of Metallic Materials)
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