Dear Colleagues,

Advanced materials with improved mechanical properties are constantly being sought for many novel applications in materials science and industries, ranging from sophisticated machine elements to new applications in every-day life. The versatile use of microstructurally designed/architecture materials, like MAX phases, multilayers, ceramic based composites, high entropy alloys, new types of steels, light alloys, 3D-printed materials, among others. However, the structural and engineer applications for advanced materials are often limited due to the lack of predictability of the material failure. Taking them as a role model for engineered materials, there is still a lot of work in terms of further improvements in the structural design of advanced materials.

In this regard, better knowledge of the local mechanical properties, as well as the correlation between microstructure and micromechanical properties will lead to hierarchical design materials ranging over length scales over several orders of magnitude (i.e., from nanometers to centimeters).

Within this framework, the following experimental questions are addressed in this Special Issue: How can we measure the mechanical properties at the local scale (within grains, phases, small volumes, coatings, etc.) that cannot be measured with conventional testing methods? How can we evaluate the micromechanical properties with high dynamic range and manipulate/grip small specimens for accurate determination of properties?

In order to help tackle some of the aforementioned challenges, this Special Issue provides an excellent opportunity for those who are evaluating the mechanical properties of advanced materials at the micrometric length scale through micropillar compression/tension. This technique allows miniaturized uniaxial compression/tension tests and has emerged as a very popular technique to obtain properties such as yield and flow stresses, strain hardening, strain rate sensitivity, etc., and gain new insights into dominant deformation mechanisms. Research articles, review articles and communications relating to micropillar compressions of advanced materials are all invited for this Special Issue.

Dr. Joan Josep Roa Rovira
Dr. Miguel Monclús
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Advanced materials
• Micropillar compression
• Post-morten analysis
• Plastic deformation mechanisms
• Room and high temperature tests