Crystal Plasticity and Microstructure Evolution of Crystalline Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Metallic and composite crystalline materials play an important role in many applications that cover a wide range of fields, including aviation, automotives, energy, and medicine. Despite many known techniques and technologies for the production and processing of crystalline materials and additional interoperational and postprocessing treatments, research is still being carried out to obtain a modified structure in order to improve the expected properties as a response to the constantly varying requirements of users.

High-temperature and load-bearing structures require materials with reliable, reproducible properties. The plastic design allows parts of the structure to deform plastically, as long as the structure does not collapse. Crystal defects such as dislocation are central to the understanding of plasticity. The continuum slip theory of crystals provides a classical framework of plasticity with physically well-defined roots in the dislocation mechanics of metals. Reliable algorithmic settings of crystal plasticity are not only needed for the structural design of single crystals, but also provide a cornerstone for multiscale analyses of evolving microstructures in polycrystals. Besides, many time-dependent deformation processes at elevated temperatures produce significant concurrent microstructure changes that can profoundly alter the mechanical properties. Thus, it is necessary to reveal the dislocation characteristics and the microstructure evolution of crystalline materials to provide instruction for the design of these materials.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to present the latest results of basic and applied research in the field of crystalline material development; microstructural evolution; deformation mechanisms and technologies for their production and processing, including casting; additive manufacturing; plastic working; SPD; heat treatments supported by numerical simulations; expert systems; and the use of artificial intelligence and its ability to improve properties, efficiency, and new applications, e.g., in the field of astronautics. Additionally, the aspects related to modern research techniques are of interest, ensuring the increase in cognitive values.

Researchers are invited to contribute to this Special Issue, titled “Crystal Plasticity and Microstructure Evolution of Crystalline Materials”, which is intended to serve as a unique multidisciplinary forum covering broad aspects of science, technology, and the application of crystal plasticity and the microstructure evolution of metals, alloys, intermetallics, composites, destructive and nondestructive testing, computer simulations, and expert systems. Prospective authors are encouraged to submit original and unpublished papers in this subject area.

Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Zaba
Dr. Wenqi Guo
Dr. Yankun Dou
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Crystals 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.

• metallic and composite materials
• casting
• AM
• plastic working
• SPD
• microstructure evolution and characterization
• plasticity
• mechanical properties
• destructive and nondestructive testing
• computer simulations
• expert systems