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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition)
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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4405

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jan Džugan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
COMTES FHT a.s., Dobrany, Czech Republic
Interests: thermomechnical processing; SPD processing; additive manufacturing; local properties assessment; functionaly graded materials; MSNAT
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application potential of engineering materials is related to their properties for the considered use. For metals, the potential exists to improve or tailor properties for specific and especially high-end applications through the processes affecting the microstructure evolution. These processes include heat treatment, thermomechanical treatment, severe plastic deformations processes, or basically processes of casting, welding, or recently additive manufacturing, which can play a significant role in the creation of the desired properties of traditional metallic materials. Currently available processes provide not only homogeneous materials but also yielding heterogeneous and functionally graded materials, such as additive manufacturing, laser processing, processing with inductive treatment. All considered processes produce a specific microstructure that is mirrored in distinct mechanical, physical, or thermo-physical properties that are required for engineering applications.

This Special Issue is focused on papers considering the relationships between microstructure and related properties for the application of advanced metallic materials. This Special Issue will collect quality papers providing a sound base in the field for present and future scientists dealing with the enhancement of metallic materials properties for specific high-end applications.

Prof. Dr. Jan Džugan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties
  • thermo-physical properties
  • fracture
  • plasticity
  • metals
  • anisotropy
  • functionally graded materials
  • SPD
  • additive manufacturing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 17102 KiB  
Article
Effects of Prior Microstructure on the Properties of Induction-Hardened JIS SCM440 Steel
by Shao-Quan Lu, Liu-Ho Chiu and Hsueh-Hung Cheng
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051045 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
JIS SCM440 steel is commonly used in precision parts after induction-hardening heat treatment. The fatigue behavior of induction-hardening parts largely depends on the combination of hardening depth and the magnitude and distribution of hardness and compressive residual stress. Therefore, it is necessary to [...] Read more.
JIS SCM440 steel is commonly used in precision parts after induction-hardening heat treatment. The fatigue behavior of induction-hardening parts largely depends on the combination of hardening depth and the magnitude and distribution of hardness and compressive residual stress. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the effects of different prior microstructures on the properties of JIS SCM440 steel after induction hardening. In the present study, the effects of prior microstructure (including spheroidized, annealed, normalized, and quenched and tempered) on the microhardness, hardening width, and residual stress of the induction-hardened specimens are investigated. The experimental results showed that the distribution behavior of residual stress in the hardened zone and heat-affected zone is due to the temperature gradient of the induction-hardening treatment. The hardened center appeared as compressive residual stress due to the martensitic transformation, which was accompanied by volume expansion. On the contrary, tensile residual stress will be generated in the heat-affected zone of incomplete phase transformation. The prior microstructure can affect the residual stress magnitude and distribution of microhardness and residual stresses due to the content of the cementite dissolved into the austenite at high temperatures. The difference in the carbon content of martensite after quenching will result in obvious differences in properties. The induction-hardened specimens with a normalized prior microstructure have the highest residual tensile stress in the heat-affected zone. The maximum residual tensile stress was 371 MPa in the heat-affected zone. The induction-hardened specimens with a quenched and tempered prior microstructure have the deepest hardening depth and widest residual compressive stress distribution range. The highest microhardness was 764 HV0.3, while the maximum residual compressive stress was −752 MPa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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19 pages, 12344 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Thermal Processing on the Microstructure and Properties of a Novel Nickel-Based Powder Metallurgy Superalloy
by Jiangying Xiong, Chao Yin, Anping Long, Junyi Cheng, Ganjiang Feng and Jianzheng Guo
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051018 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 238
Abstract
A novel nickel-based powder metallurgy superalloy was processed using two different thermal–mechanical processes, including hot isostatic pressed (As-HIP) and hipped + hot extruded + isothermally-forged (IF) heat treatments following two processed alloys, designated as As-HIP-HT and IF-HT. The objective of this study is [...] Read more.
A novel nickel-based powder metallurgy superalloy was processed using two different thermal–mechanical processes, including hot isostatic pressed (As-HIP) and hipped + hot extruded + isothermally-forged (IF) heat treatments following two processed alloys, designated as As-HIP-HT and IF-HT. The objective of this study is to investigate the microstructure and mechanical property evolution in a nickel-based powder disk alloy fabricated by two processes. The findings revealed that both As-HIP and IF alloys underwent substantial recrystallization, with grains in the IF alloy being finer. Notable Prior Particle Boundaries (PPBs) were identified in the As-HIP samples. The IF-HT alloy exhibited a larger grain size due to a greater amount of stored energy. Significant differences in the secondary γ′ precipitates were observed between the two processes. More uniform substructures in the IF-HT alloy led to a higher density of finer γ′ precipitates. At temperatures of 704 °C and 760 °C, the As-HIP-HT alloy displayed a higher yield strength, but its plasticity significantly declined as temperature increased, while the IF-HT alloy showed a relatively stable plasticity. The presence of PPBs in the As-HIP-HT alloy minimally affected the alloy’s strength but reduced its plasticity. The creep property of the two processes was compared at 800 °C/330 MPa; the IF-HT alloy demonstrated lower creep rates and a longer creep life, which was attributed to its finer γ′ precipitates. Dominant creep deformation mechanisms in the As-HIP-HT alloy included Orowan dislocation loops and deformation twinning, while the primary mechanisms in the IF-HT alloy involved dislocation cutting through γ′ precipitates, dislocation slip, and micro-twins. These findings support the use of isostatic pressing + hot extrusion+ isothermally-forging process for critical high-temperature components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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19 pages, 6194 KiB  
Article
Optimization of MoNiCr Alloy Production Through Additive Manufacturing
by Michal Duchek, Daniela Nachazelova, Martina Koukolikova, Michal Brazda, Pavel Ludvik, Josef Strejcius and Zbysek Novy
Materials 2025, 18(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010042 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 576
Abstract
One of the concepts behind Generation IV reactors is a molten salt coolant system, where the materials for the reactor itself and for the primary and secondary circuit components are subjected to extreme chemical and thermal stresses. Due to the unavailability of these [...] Read more.
One of the concepts behind Generation IV reactors is a molten salt coolant system, where the materials for the reactor itself and for the primary and secondary circuit components are subjected to extreme chemical and thermal stresses. Due to the unavailability of these materials, a nickel–molybdenum alloy known as MoNiCr has been developed in the Czech Republic. This paper discusses the manufacturing process for the MoNiCr alloy, covering conventional casting technology, forming, powder atomization, additive manufacturing (AM) using the directed energy deposition (DED-LB) process, and final heat treatment. Special attention was given to the quality of the input powders for additive manufacturing, particularly regarding the optimization of the chemical composition, which significantly influenced the quality of the additively manufactured components. AM enables the realization of complex structural designs that are critical for energy applications, despite the high susceptibility of the MoNiCr alloy to solidification cracking. Through AM, a test body was successfully produced with a maximum defect rate of 0.03% and the following mechanical properties: a yield strength (YS) of 279 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 602 MPa, and an elongation (El) of 51%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 2824 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Suitable Mechanical Properties for a Biocompatible Beta-Titanium Alloy by Combining Plastic Deformation with Solution Treatment
by Raluca Elena Irimescu, Doina Raducanu, Anna Nocivin, Elisabeta Mirela Cojocaru, Vasile Danut Cojocaru and Nicoleta Zarnescu-Ivan
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5828; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235828 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 690
Abstract
The microstructural and mechanical features were investigated for the alloy Ti-36.5Nb-4.5Zr-3Ta-0.16O (wt.%) subjected to thermo-mechanical processing consisting of a series of hot and cold rolling combined with solution treatments with particular parameters. The objective was to find the optimal thermo-mechanical treatment variant to [...] Read more.
The microstructural and mechanical features were investigated for the alloy Ti-36.5Nb-4.5Zr-3Ta-0.16O (wt.%) subjected to thermo-mechanical processing consisting of a series of hot and cold rolling combined with solution treatments with particular parameters. The objective was to find the optimal thermo-mechanical treatment variant to improve the mechanical properties, and namely, to increase the yield tensile strength (YTS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), with a low modulus of elasticity and with an adequate ductility in order to obtain a good biomaterial appropriate for use in hard tissue implants. X-ray diffraction and SEM microscopy served to investigate the microstructural features: the type of formed phases with their morphology, dimensions, and distribution. The experimental alloy presented mainly a β-phase with some α″-Ti martensitic phase in particular stages of the processing scheme. The main mechanical properties were found by applying a tensile test, from which were determined the yield tensile strength [MPa], the ultimate tensile strength [MPa], Young’s modulus of elasticity [GPa], and the elongation to fracture (%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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13 pages, 5169 KiB  
Article
Influence of Zinc Chloride Exposure on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Age-Hardened AZ91 Magnesium Alloy
by Pavel Konopík, Tomasz Bucki, Sylwia Rzepa, Daniel Melzer, Dana Bolibruchová, Ying Li and Jan Džugan
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184474 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 757
Abstract
The AZ91 magnesium alloy was subjected to a complex treatment involving age hardening (supersaturation and artificial aging) and simultaneous surface layer modification. The specimens were supersaturated in contact with a mixture containing varying concentrations of zinc chloride, followed by cooling either in air [...] Read more.
The AZ91 magnesium alloy was subjected to a complex treatment involving age hardening (supersaturation and artificial aging) and simultaneous surface layer modification. The specimens were supersaturated in contact with a mixture containing varying concentrations of zinc chloride, followed by cooling either in air or water. After supersaturation, the specimens were subjected to artificial aging and then air-cooled. This process resulted in the formation of a surface layer made of zinc-rich phases. The thickness and microstructure of the surface layer were influenced by the process parameters, namely, the zinc chloride content in the mixture and the cooling rate during supersaturation. The treated specimens exhibited favorable tensile strength and greater elongation compared to the as-cast AZ91 alloy, with values comparable to those of the alloy subjected to standard T6 tempering. No cracking of the layer was observed under moderate deformation, though greater deformation resulted in the formation of cracks, primarily in the areas containing the Mg5Al2Zn2 intermetallic phase. The produced layer demonstrated strong metallurgical bonding to the AZ91 substrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 7618 KiB  
Article
DRAGen in Application—An Approach for Microstructural Fatigue Predictions of Non-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheets
by Manuel Henrich and Sebastian Münstermann
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2678; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112678 - 1 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1214
Abstract
This study investigates multiple cyclic loading scenarios of non-oriented electrical steel sheets through both experimental and numerical approaches. The numerical simulations were conducted using Representative Volume Elements generated with DRAGen. DRAGen allowed for the generation of Representative Volume Elements with a non-cubic shape [...] Read more.
This study investigates multiple cyclic loading scenarios of non-oriented electrical steel sheets through both experimental and numerical approaches. The numerical simulations were conducted using Representative Volume Elements generated with DRAGen. DRAGen allowed for the generation of Representative Volume Elements with a non-cubic shape to cover the complete sheet thickness and enough grains to represent the material’s texture. The experimental results, on the other hand, are utilized to calibrate and validate a prediction model, highlighting the significance of accumulated plastic slip as a suitable parameter correlated with fatigue life. Using the accumulated plastic slip from the simulations, a fatigue fracture locus is introduced, which describes a 3D surface dependent on the maximum stress, fatigue life, and the fatigue stress ratio. The study shows reliable results for the fatigue life prediction using the calibrated fatigue fracture locus. While substantial progress has been made in predicting the fatigue life at multiple fatigue stress ratios, notable disparities between experimental and simulation results suggest the need for further investigations regarding the influence of the surface quality. This observation motivates ongoing research efforts aimed at refining simulation methodologies to better incorporate surface roughness effects. In summary, this study presents a validated model for predicting fatigue life in non-oriented electrical steel sheets, offering valuable insights into material behavior at different loading scenarios and informing future research directions for enhanced structural performance and durability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Relationship for Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))
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