Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 5699

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
Interests: titanium alloy; TiAl single crystal; intermetallic compound; theoretical calculation; alloy design; refractories for titanium alloys
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Guest Editor Assistant
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
Interests: titanium alloy; alloy design and development; CALPHAD; phase diagram; thermodynamic

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Light alloys, including magnesium-based, aluminum-based, and titanium-based materials, are widely utilized in transportation areas, such as aviation, automotive, and light rail, due to their low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. The weight reduction in transportation translates directly into fuel savings and reduced emissions, thus contributing significantly to ecological and economic sustainability. In addition, light alloys possess unique properties and are attractive for a number of specific applications—for example, the application of titanium alloys human implants is attributed to their excellent biocompatibility; the large hydrogen storage capacity and high theoretical specific capacity for battery applications mean that magnesium alloys have great potential for energy applications. To further promote the development of light alloys, we have launched this Special Issue in Metals, where we welcome reviews and articles in the areas of basic research, theoretical calculation, design of novel alloys, material preparation and characterization, and applications of light alloys.

Prof. Dr. Chonghe Li
Guest Editor

Qisheng Feng
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • light alloy
  • lightweight high-entropy alloy
  • aluminum alloy
  • magnesium alloy
  • titanium alloy
  • magnesium–lithium alloy
  • intermetallic compound
  • thermodynamics and kinetics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 9600 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Combined Addition of La–Ce Mixed Rare Earths and Sr on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlSi10MnMg Alloy
by Yu Liu, Zhichao Yu, Man Zhang, Qisheng Feng, Dong Zhang, Pengyue Gao and Chonghe Li
Metals 2024, 14(9), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14091050 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 548
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of adding La–Ce mixed rare earths and Sr on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10MnMg alloy. The experiment utilized different combinations of modifiers, including single La–Ce rare earths, single Sr, and the combined addition of La–Ce mixed [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effect of adding La–Ce mixed rare earths and Sr on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10MnMg alloy. The experiment utilized different combinations of modifiers, including single La–Ce rare earths, single Sr, and the combined addition of La–Ce mixed rare earths and Sr. This study compared their effects on grain refinement, the modification of the α-Al phase and eutectic silicon phase, and tensile properties and hardness. The results showed that the combined modification of Sr and mixed rare earth elements significantly refined the grains, optimized the morphology of the α-Al phase and eutectic silicon phase, and improved the overall mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy. Under the combined modification, the addition of 0.02 wt.% Sr and 0.1 wt.% RE (La–Ce mixed rare earths) exhibited the most pronounced refining effect. The secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) was reduced by 59.18%. The eutectic silicon phase transformed from coarse needle-like shapes to fine fibrous or granular forms, with an aspect ratio reduction of 69.39%. Meanwhile, the alloy’s tensile strength and hardness were significantly improved. The tensile strength increased to 240 MPa, achieving an increase of 23.08%; the yield strength increased to 111 MPa, achieving an increase of 18.09%; and the elongation reached 7.3%, achieving an increase of 73.81%. This indicates that the proper addition of Sr and mixed rare earths can significantly optimize the microstructure and enhance the mechanical properties of AlSi10MnMg alloy, providing an effective method for the preparation of high-performance heat-treatment-free aluminum alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 6514 KiB  
Article
Material Properties and Friction and Wear Behavior of Ti–18 mass% Nb Alloy after Gas Nitriding and Quenching Process
by Yoshikazu Mantani, Miku Tsuji, Eri Akada and Tomoyuki Homma
Metals 2024, 14(8), 944; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14080944 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 625
Abstract
We performed a gas nitriding and quenching process (GNQP) on Ti–18 mass% Nb alloy to obtain a high damping capacity and wear resistance. GNQP was performed at temperatures of 1023, 1123, and 1223 K. The outermost surface of the GNQP specimen obtained at [...] Read more.
We performed a gas nitriding and quenching process (GNQP) on Ti–18 mass% Nb alloy to obtain a high damping capacity and wear resistance. GNQP was performed at temperatures of 1023, 1123, and 1223 K. The outermost surface of the GNQP specimen obtained at 1023 K mainly comprised TiO2, whereas that at 1223 K mainly comprised TiN. The surface and interior of the specimens exhibited higher hardness at 1223 K than that at 1023 K. Compared to the specimen obtained by solution–quenching (AQ), the unit volume of the α” martensite phase at a depth of 320 μm of the GNQP specimen obtained at 1023 K was similar, and that at 1223 K was higher. Such a difference can be related to the difference in the core hardness of the specimens. The wear amounts of all GNQP specimens were lower than those of the AQ specimen. The coefficient of friction of the GNQP specimen obtained at 1023 K was lower than that obtained at 1223 K. The surface constituent phase and surface roughness exhibited a strong influence on the wear at a load of 500 g. Meanwhile, the nitride layer and damping capacity were considered to be related to the wear at a load of 3000 g. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition))
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20 pages, 9131 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ti Addition on the Hot-Tearing Susceptibility of the AlSi5Cu2Mg Alloy
by Marek Matejka, Dana Bolibruchová and Martina Sýkorová
Metals 2024, 14(6), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14060703 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 829
Abstract
The aluminum alloy AlSi5Cu2Mg finds application in the production of high-stress cylinder head castings. The AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy is specific for its high susceptibility to hot tearing. One effective way to reduce the susceptibility of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys to hot tearing is by grain refining. [...] Read more.
The aluminum alloy AlSi5Cu2Mg finds application in the production of high-stress cylinder head castings. The AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy is specific for its high susceptibility to hot tearing. One effective way to reduce the susceptibility of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys to hot tearing is by grain refining. The AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy is designed with a specific chemical composition that significantly limits the Ti content to a maximum of 0.03 wt.%. This limitation practically limits the use of standard Al-Ti-B-based refiners. The present work focuses on the investigation of the influence of graded Ti addition on the susceptibility of the AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy to hot tearing. The Ti addition was deliberately chosen beyond the manufacturer’s recommendation (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 wt.%). The solidification process of the experimental alloys with Ti addition was evaluated in this research. On the basis of the thermal analysis, it was shown that due to the addition of Ti, the solidification interval of the AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy increases. An increase in the solidification interval is often associated with an increase in the susceptibility to tearing. The susceptibility of the experimental alloys to hot tearing was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on the quantitative and qualitative evaluation, it was shown that the addition of Ti reduces the susceptibility of the AlSi5Cu2Mg alloy to hot tearing. A positive refining effect of Ti on the primary α-(Al) phase was demonstrated by microstructural evaluation. Based on this research, it was shown that despite the increase in the solidification interval due to the addition of Ti, the susceptibility of the aluminum alloy to the formation of hot tears is reduced due to the better filling of the material in the interdendritic spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 12435 KiB  
Article
Additive Manufacturing for Rapid Sand Casting: Mechanical and Microstructural Investigation of Aluminum Alloy Automotive Prototypes
by Silvia Cecchel and Giovanna Cornacchia
Metals 2024, 14(4), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040459 - 13 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1650
Abstract
The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid evolution to meet today’s challenges; therefore, continuous innovation and product development are needed. Validation tests on prototypes play a crucial role in moving new components into industrial production. There is also a pressing need for faster [...] Read more.
The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid evolution to meet today’s challenges; therefore, continuous innovation and product development are needed. Validation tests on prototypes play a crucial role in moving new components into industrial production. There is also a pressing need for faster prototyping processes. In this context, rapid sand casting (RSC), based on additive manufacturing technology, offers a promising solution for a quick production of sand molds. While this technology is already employed in the industry, the need to deepen the general understanding of its impact on the casting properties is still a relevant item. In this study, different geometries of automotive prototypes made of aluminum EN AC 42100-T6 alloy were experimentally analyzed. Microstructural examinations, tensile tests, and fractography and porosity analyses were conducted. The findings demonstrate the considerable potential of RSC, giving, in general, high mechanical properties. A comparative analysis with prototypes produced through traditional sand casting revealed similar results, with RSC exhibiting superior yield strength and stress at brake. However, both technologies revealed a reduced elongation percentage, as expected. Future efforts will focus on standardizing the RSC process to enhance ductility levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 3374 KiB  
Article
Modeling and Analysis of Metal Liquid Film Flow Characteristics during Centrifugal Spray Forming
by Peng Li, Shizhong Wei, Xianqing Lei, Lu Yang, Bo Sun and Shuaiwu Tong
Metals 2023, 13(10), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13101687 - 3 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1244
Abstract
Liquid films are an important part of liquid metal granulation in the process of centrifugal spray forming. The size of the granulated particles has an important influence on the density, grain size and microstructure uniformity of the deposited blanks. The particle size is [...] Read more.
Liquid films are an important part of liquid metal granulation in the process of centrifugal spray forming. The size of the granulated particles has an important influence on the density, grain size and microstructure uniformity of the deposited blanks. The particle size is closely related to the flow characteristics of liquid films. Therefore, enhancing our understanding of the flow characteristics of liquid films can provide guidance for forming blanks. In this study, force analysis of a liquid film on the surface of a high-speed rotating centrifugal disc used in centrifugal spray-forming technology was carried out using D’Alembert’s principle and Newton’s law of viscosity. Then, combined with the principle of mass conservation, a theoretical model of the smooth flow of the liquid metal film was established. The experimental values obtained by Leshev were compared with our values to verify the correctness and accuracy of the model. Through the model, the influencing factors of the liquid film flow were obtained, such as the centrifugal disc speed, centrifugal disc radius, inlet volume flow rate and kinematic viscosity. Taking A390 aluminum alloy as the research object, the influence of the process parameters on the thickness, velocity and trajectory of the liquid film was revealed theoretically, and the relationship between the process parameters and the trajectory length and liquid film thickness was clarified. Modeling and analysis can not only help us to understand the flow of a liquid film, but also help us to predict the relevant parameters, which is convenient for the accurate and rapid regulation of the process to obtain the desired flow parameters. Therefore, the research content of this paper is of great significance for the preparation of billets with a uniform microstructure and excellent mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloy and Its Application (2nd Edition))
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