Microstructure Evolution During Cold and Hot Deformation

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2025) | Viewed by 478

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Interests: Large-scale forgings process and optimization; aerospace materials and processes; composite materials preparation and control, dynamic in-situ analysis and comprehensive high-throughput characterization
Institute of Metals and Technology, Lepi pot 11, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: steelmaking; metallurgy; processing; non-metallic inclusions; steel microstructure; alloys
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, B-9052 Gent, Belgium
Interests: fretting; friction; fracture; wear; heterogeneous

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of the evolution of microstructures during cold and hot deformation is based on material science and mechanics. Experimental and numerical study are both important in searching for the inherent theory behind this evolution.

Research on microstructure evolution during hot and cold deformation has been ongoing for more a century. High temperatures during hot deformation promote plastic deformation and recrystallization, leading to grain refinement and the development of new grain boundaries. Conversely, cold deformation at lower temperatures induces dislocation accumulation, deformation twinning, and strain hardening, resulting in a distinct microstructure.

In the observation of microstructure evolution, several techniques are commonly applied, e.g., scanning electron microscopes, which provide detailed views of microstructures at higher magnifications, including grain shapes, grain boundary features, and dislocations; transmission electron microscopes, which transmit electron beams through samples, allowing for the atomic-level imaging of microstructures; X-ray diffraction, which determines phases, lattice parameters, and grain sizes; and electron backscatter diffraction, which provides detailed information on crystallographic orientations and grain boundary characteristics. Meanwhile, in numerical studies, multi-scale analysis has demonstrated its advantages in studying microstructure evolution.

The emergence of advanced materials necessitates the development of new forming techniques, prompting the need for in-depth research into the microstructure evolution of these materials during these new processes. This is particularly crucial in the formation of complex structural components.

This Special Issue focuses on ‘Microstructure Evolution During Cold and Hot Deformation’, emphasizing the vital role of studying microstructural changes in determining material properties such as strength, ductility, and toughness. Additionally, it explores the implications of these changes in terms of material performance, including resistance to fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and creep. Beyond traditional materials like steel, titanium alloy, and aluminum alloy, this issue welcomes contributions on advanced materials such as superalloys, nanomaterials, and new lightweight materials, as well as on advanced processing techniques. Moreover, research utilizing numerical models to predict microstructure evolution is also within the scope of this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Xingang Liu
Dr. Jaka Burja
Dr. Can Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microstructures
  • deformation
  • fatigue
  • corrosion
  • fracture
  • multi-scale
  • advanced materials
  • numerical model

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 9710 KB  
Article
Annealing-Driven Recrystallization of Mechanically Deformed Ce-Doped ZrO2 Ceramics
by Natalia O. Volodina and Rafael I. Shakirzyanov
Crystals 2025, 15(8), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15080730 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 273
Abstract
During the annealing, recrystallization processes in ceramics can occur, manifested in the formation of new grains, grain-boundary migration, and grain coarsening. It was expected that recrystallization in mechanically deformed zones, which contain residual stresses and high defect densities, will proceed in a different [...] Read more.
During the annealing, recrystallization processes in ceramics can occur, manifested in the formation of new grains, grain-boundary migration, and grain coarsening. It was expected that recrystallization in mechanically deformed zones, which contain residual stresses and high defect densities, will proceed in a different way compared to the surrounding, relaxed material. Characterizing these spatial variations in defect evolution, phase transformations, and microstructural recovery is essential for predicting performance and avoiding critical structural changes when designing zirconia-based ceramics for high-temperature, load-bearing applications. To study these effects, we used partially stabilized Ce-doped ZrO2 ceramics, fabricated by solid-state synthesis. Phase composition, structural features, and morphology of these ceramics were studied using Raman spectroscopy, XRD and SEM before and after annealing in the mechanically stressed and relaxed regions. In mechanically deformed regions a more pronounced phase transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal was observed compared to relaxed zones. This result indicates that strain can facilitate tetragonal phase formation in zirconia ceramics when the material is subjected to elevated temperatures. Mechanical stresses should be taken into account when fabricating ceramic components, as they can induce phase transformation during heat treatments and change the properties of ceramics significantly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure Evolution During Cold and Hot Deformation)
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