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Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials
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Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 11372

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Minghe Zhang

E-Mail
Guest Editor
College of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 0631200, China
Interests: advanced high-strength steels; phase transformations; mechanical behaviors; microstructure characterization; synchrotron radiation; heat treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metallic materials have wide applications in automobiles, high-speed rail, airline transportation, clean energy, or more advanced space exploration techniques. Surface treatment is applied to enhance the in-service performance of metallic materials and improve their mechanical properties. Designing and developing metallic materials for today’s modern society demands a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between surface treatment and mechanical properties. Current research significantly engages in surface treatment to improve their mechanical properties. Advanced materials characterization and simulation techniques provide opportunities for obtaining detailed microstructure information from the micro- to nanoscale surface of metallic materials treated by various technologies. The strengthening and toughening of mechanisms contributing to mechanical properties can originate from different surface treatment methods. Investigating the relationships between surface treatment and mechanical properties of metallic materials is significant for promoting the development and application of metallic materials in academia and industry.

This Special Issue aims to cover recent advances and new developments in the relationships between the surface treatment and mechanical properties of conventional and advanced metallic materials. The articles presented in this Special Issue will focus on, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Surface severe plastic deformation;
  • Surface chemical heat treatment, spraying, plating, heat treatment, physical/chemical vapor deposition, and nano-etching;
  • Promising methods and processes for surface treatment;
  • Mechanical properties, metallic materials design, materials processing, and advanced characterization techniques.

We kindly invite you to submit a manuscript for publication in this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Minghe Zhang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Coatings 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

  • surface treatment
  • coatings
  • mechanical properties
  • microstructure characterization
  • strengthening and toughening mechanism

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 8098 KB  
Article
Effect of Torsion on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Medium Manganese Steel
by Ze Ji, Lihui Sun, Yaliang Liu, Liguang Wang, Jingyi Zhou, Guolong Liu, Hongyang Li, Ruchao Zhang, Minghe Zhang and Yunli Feng
Coatings 2026, 16(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16010064 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 525
Abstract
In this study, a multi-gradient microstructure was introduced into medium-Mn steel through torsion following heat treatment at different annealing temperatures, and through investigations on the mechanical properties under two annealing temperatures, it has also been revealed that different annealing temperatures before torsion affect [...] Read more.
In this study, a multi-gradient microstructure was introduced into medium-Mn steel through torsion following heat treatment at different annealing temperatures, and through investigations on the mechanical properties under two annealing temperatures, it has also been revealed that different annealing temperatures before torsion affect the stability of austenite after torsion, thereby leading to distinct variations in mechanical performance. The yield strengths of the studied steel after annealing at 600 °C and 620 °C were 762 MPa and 673 MPa, with total elongation of 47.4% and 44.1%, respectively. After 90° torsion, the yield strength of experimental steels increased to 834 MPa and 808 MPa, while the elongation decreased to 21.6% and 29.5%, respectively. The gradient distributions from the center to the edge were observed for the austenite volume fraction, average grain size, martensite volume fraction, GND density, and hardness. The comparative analysis of the two annealing temperatures indicates that the larger grain size in the 620—annealed sample leads to its lower yield strength, while its higher austenite volume fraction and moderate stability promote a more sustained TRIP effect during deformation, contributing to its enhanced elongation. This multi-gradient microstructure is responsible for the yield strength improvements of 72 MPa and 135 MPa in the torsioned samples annealed at 600 °C and 620 °C, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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16 pages, 10927 KB  
Article
Morphological Characterization of Fe2B Borided Layers on AISI 9254 Steel Using Reused Boron Paste: A Classical and Fractal Approach
by Lizbeth Sánchez-Fuentes, Sergio Matias-Gutierres, Edgar Israel García-Otamendi, Hugo David Sánchez-Chávez, Ernesto David García-Bustos, Marco Antonio Doñu-Ruiz and Noé López-Perrusquia
Coatings 2025, 15(11), 1301; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15111301 - 6 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1029
Abstract
Boriding is a widely used thermochemical treatment to improve surface hardness and wear resistance in steels used in demanding mechanical applications. However, boronizing processes using new boron paste increase costs and generate waste, creating a need for more sustainable alternatives. In this context, [...] Read more.
Boriding is a widely used thermochemical treatment to improve surface hardness and wear resistance in steels used in demanding mechanical applications. However, boronizing processes using new boron paste increase costs and generate waste, creating a need for more sustainable alternatives. In this context, the reuse of dehydrated boron paste has proven effective in the formation of Fe2B layers on AISI 9254 steel. In this study, AISI 9254 steel was boronized using reused dehydrated boron paste at 1173 K, 1223 K, and 1273 K for 3600, 7200, 10,800, and 14,400 s. Optical microscopy revealed layer thicknesses ranging from 16.07 μm to 69.35 μm. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of single-phase Fe2B, while EDS indicated elemental redistribution within the layer. The Vickers microhardness profile characterized the mechanical behavior, and the adhesion force showed HF1-HF2 ratings. The activation energy for boron diffusion in Fe2B was calculated at 106.567 kJ mol−1. Auto-affine analysis verified the fractal nature of interface growth, with a scale ω(d) according to ω(δ)∼δH. These results confirm that reused paste allows the formation of Fe2B layers, supporting sustainable boronization strategies with controlled interfacial evolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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15 pages, 8675 KB  
Article
Nb Microalloying Enhances the Grain Stability of SAE8620H Gear Steel During High-Temperature Carburizing
by Xiangyu Zhang, Huasong Liu, Bingjun Lu, Yu Zhang, Qianshui Zhao, Zhiran Yan, Shuo Gong, Xiaodong Guo, Dong Pan, Pei Xu, Yang Wang and Kaimeng Wang
Coatings 2025, 15(4), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15040423 - 2 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1108
Abstract
In modern industries, gears function as pivotal transmission elements whose operational performance is directly dependent on the microstructural characteristics of gear steels. While high-temperature carburizing (950–1050 °C) substantially improves process efficiency through accelerated carbon diffusion, it inevitably promotes austenite grain coarsening. This study [...] Read more.
In modern industries, gears function as pivotal transmission elements whose operational performance is directly dependent on the microstructural characteristics of gear steels. While high-temperature carburizing (950–1050 °C) substantially improves process efficiency through accelerated carbon diffusion, it inevitably promotes austenite grain coarsening. This study investigates the effect of Nb microalloying on grain stability in SAE8620H gear steel during high-temperature carburizing. Experimental steels with varying Nb contents were prepared via vacuum induction suspension melting, followed by hot rolling, solution treatment, and pseudo-carburizing. Thermodynamic calculations, optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were employed to analyze the mechanisms. Thermodynamic results revealed that higher Nb content retains more Nb(C, N) phases at elevated temperatures, effectively suppressing grain coarsening. Without preheating, increased Nb content refined grains but exhibited limited inhibition at high temperatures. Preheating (1330 °C × 10 min + water quenching) promoted uniform and fine Nb(C, N) precipitates, significantly enhancing grain refinement. When Nb content exceeded 0.053 wt.%, grain coarsening was fully inhibited under 1050 °C × 2 h carburizing. This study establishes the optimal Nb content range, elucidates the micro-mechanisms, and proposes a preheating process to improve high-temperature carburizing performance in gear steels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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12 pages, 3752 KB  
Article
Efficacy of Air-Polishing with Sodium Bicarbonate vs. Erythritol in the Decrease of the Bacterial Concentration on the Surface of Dental Implants: In Vitro Study
by Ashley Yaressi Gómez-Rueda, Myriam Angélica De La Garza-Ramos, Norma Idalia Rodríguez-Franco, Jesús Israel Rodríguez-Pulido, Claudia Lucía Elizalde-Molina and Omar Elizondo-Cantú
Coatings 2025, 15(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15030327 - 12 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6403
Abstract
Dental implants are recognized as one of the most effective long-term solutions for the replacement of one or multiple missing teeth, addressing both aesthetics and functionality. However, one of the leading causes of implant failure is peri-implant diseases. This study aims to evaluate [...] Read more.
Dental implants are recognized as one of the most effective long-term solutions for the replacement of one or multiple missing teeth, addressing both aesthetics and functionality. However, one of the leading causes of implant failure is peri-implant diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of air polishing with sodium bicarbonate compared to erythritol in reducing the bacterial concentration on dental implant surfaces in vitro. A sample of twenty-four implants (12 JD Evolution and 12 Straumann) was utilized and divided as follows: 10 implants contaminated with biofilm treated with sodium bicarbonate air polishing (1 min); 10 implants contaminated with biofilm treated with erythritol aeropolishing (1 min); two implants contaminated with biofilm (negative control); and two sterile implants (positive control). The entire experiment was performed in triplicate. The bacterial culture included P. gingivalis, S. gordonii, and F. nucleatum. Optical density (OD) at 600 nm was measured before and after the decontamination protocol to analyze the results. The JD Evolution implant demonstrated a slightly greater reduction in bacterial concentration, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were observed between erythritol and sodium bicarbonate in the Straumann implants. An increase in surface roughness is observed in the JD Evolution implant treated with erythritol, whereas the one treated with bicarbonate exhibits a smoother surface compared to the untreated implant. The findings suggest that air polishing with erythritol is as effective as sodium bicarbonate in reducing the bacterial concentration on dental implants in vitro. This could suggest the use of erythritol during air polishing due to its antimicrobial capacity and its increase in surface roughness on implant surfaces compared to bicarbonate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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Review

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25 pages, 3190 KB  
Review
High-Temperature Carburization of Gear Steels: Grain Size Regulation, Microstructural Evolution, and Surface Performance Enhancement
by Xiangyu Zhang, Yuxian Cao, Yu Zhang, Dong Pan, Kunyu Wang, Zhihui Li and Leilei Li
Coatings 2026, 16(3), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16030386 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 719
Abstract
High-temperature carburization (HTC, 950–1050 °C) has emerged as a pivotal low-carbon, energy-efficient manufacturing technology for gear steels, accelerating carbon diffusion for reducing processing cycles by over 60% while achieving significant energy savings and emission reductions. However, the inherent contradiction between HTC efficiency and [...] Read more.
High-temperature carburization (HTC, 950–1050 °C) has emerged as a pivotal low-carbon, energy-efficient manufacturing technology for gear steels, accelerating carbon diffusion for reducing processing cycles by over 60% while achieving significant energy savings and emission reductions. However, the inherent contradiction between HTC efficiency and microstructural stability, specifically austenite grain coarsening, severely degrades mechanical properties (e.g., strength, toughness, fatigue resistance) and limits widespread application. This review systematically synthesizes recent advances in austenite grain size regulation during HTC of gear steels, focusing on the core scientific framework of “grain coarsening mechanism—regulation strategy—performance enhancement”. It elaborates on thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms of austenite grain growth, ripening behavior of microalloying precipitates (Nb(C,N), Ti(C,N), AlN, etc.), and their synergistic grain-refining effects. Comprehensive coverage of regulatory strategies (microalloying design, pretreatment technologies, process optimization, and integrated regulation) and characterization techniques is provided, along with a quantitative correlation between grain size, microstructure, and surface performance (wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and fatigue life). Numerical simulation and predictive models (empirical, theoretical, multiphysics coupling, machine learning-based) are critically analyzed, and current challenges (temperature-grain stability trade-off, multifactor synergy understanding, industrial scalability) and future research directions (advanced microalloying systems, intelligent process optimization, cross-scale modeling, green technology integration) are proposed. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and technical support for optimizing the HTC performance of gear steels, catering to the demands of high-power-density transmission systems in automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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Graphical abstract

24 pages, 3276 KB  
Review
In Situ Neutron and Synchrotron X-Ray Analysis of Structural Evolution on Plastically Deformed Metals During Annealing
by Xiaojing Liu, Zheng Lei and Zhengxing Men
Coatings 2025, 15(12), 1438; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15121438 - 7 Dec 2025
Viewed by 917
Abstract
This review highlights the significance of modern quantum-beam techniques, particularly neutron and synchrotron radiation sources, for advanced microstructural characterization of metallic systems. Following a brief introduction to neutron and synchrotron diffraction, selected studies demonstrate their application in probing thermally induced structural evolution in [...] Read more.
This review highlights the significance of modern quantum-beam techniques, particularly neutron and synchrotron radiation sources, for advanced microstructural characterization of metallic systems. Following a brief introduction to neutron and synchrotron diffraction, selected studies demonstrate their application in probing thermally induced structural evolution in plastically deformed metals. Additively manufactured CoCrFeNi alloys and 316L stainless steels subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT) were investigated by in situ neutron diffraction during heating, revealing the sequential regimes of recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth. Coupled with mechanical measurements, the results show that HPT followed by controlled thermal treatment improves the mechanical performance, offering strategies for designing engineering materials with enhanced properties. The thermal anisotropy behavior of Ti-45Al-7.5Nb alloys under in situ neutron diffraction is defined as anisotropic ordering upon heating, while the HPT-processed alloy displayed isotropic recovery of order at earlier temperatures. Complementary in situ synchrotron studies in rolled-sheet magnesium alloys unveiled microstructural rearrangement, grain rotation, recovery, and precipitate dissolution during annealing. And phase transformation, recovery, and recrystallization processes were detected in steel using HEXRD. This work emphasizes the complementary strengths of the neutron and synchrotron methods and recommends their broader application as powerful tools to unravel microstructure–property relationships in plastically deformed metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials)
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