Research on Mechanical Properties, Deformation, and Microstructures of Metallic Materials

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Structural Integrity of Metals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2025 | Viewed by 6171

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Interests: microstructure design of advanced metallic materials; metal matrix composites; strengthening mechanism; microstructure–property tailoring during manufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There have been continuous advances in the design and manufacturing of microstructures, as well as the new understanding of the microstructure–property relations of metallic materials for structural applications in recent years. This Special Issue, entitled “Research on Mechanical Properties, Deformation, Microstructures of Metallic Materials”, will underline the most recent discoveries and progress in the microstructure and mechanical behaviors of various types of metallic materials. Topics include, but are not limited to, nanostructured and ultrafine-grained metals, metal–matrix composites, high-temperature alloys, high-entropy alloys, metallic biomaterials, heterogeneous nano/micro-structure design, 3D-printing, surface engineering, deformation manufacturing, strengthening and toughening mechanisms, high-strain-rate deformation, microstructure tailoring during advanced forming and manufacturing, heat treatment of metals, etc. We welcome the submission of original research articles, communications, and reviews on recent advances in the related areas of metallic materials.

All of these contributions will provide new insights into the microstructure and mechanical properties of metallic materials for advanced structural applications.

Prof. Dr. Qingsong Mei
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metals and alloys
  • mechanical properties
  • microstructure design
  • deformation
  • strengthening
  • toughening
  • advanced forming and manufacturing

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 17146 KiB  
Article
Evolution of Graded Surface Microstructure and Property of Ti6Al4V Threads Processed by Surface Rolling
by Wenchao Wang, Lufei Bai, Dapeng Shi, Hong Jin, Yao Yang, Kun Su and Qingsong Mei
Metals 2024, 14(10), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14101189 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 762
Abstract
The surface rolling process is important for the forming property of titanium alloy bolts. This study systematically investigated the evolution of the surface microstructure and property of Ti6Al4V threads induced by surface rolling processes with different feeding times. Gradient surface microstructure and property, [...] Read more.
The surface rolling process is important for the forming property of titanium alloy bolts. This study systematically investigated the evolution of the surface microstructure and property of Ti6Al4V threads induced by surface rolling processes with different feeding times. Gradient surface microstructure and property, as characterized by the depth-dependent variations of refined and deformed grains and hardness, were revealed. A comparative analysis of the microstructure and property of the topmost and subsurface layers in different characteristic areas (root, flank, and crest) of the thread was specifically carried out. The surface microstructure and properties are highly heterogeneous in different areas of the rolled thread. Meanwhile, a gradient microstructure and hardness along the depth from the surface was revealed in the surface layer. Our results showed that the highly heterogeneous surface microstructure and property can be attributed to the close correlation between the different stress/strain levels at different depths from the surface and the different deformation mechanisms in the characteristic surface areas of the thread. The present study has indicated that the distinctive microstructure and property in the different characteristic areas of the rolled thread should be featured by those of surface layers at different depths. Full article
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12 pages, 6747 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Tempering Parameters to Enhance Precipitation Behavior and Impact Toughness in High-Nickel Steel
by Guojin Sun and Qi Wang
Metals 2024, 14(8), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14080898 - 7 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1129
Abstract
This study explores the effects of tempering on the precipitation behavior and impact toughness of high-nickel steel. The specimens underwent double quenching at 870 °C and 770 °C, followed by tempering at various temperatures. Advanced characterization techniques including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron [...] Read more.
This study explores the effects of tempering on the precipitation behavior and impact toughness of high-nickel steel. The specimens underwent double quenching at 870 °C and 770 °C, followed by tempering at various temperatures. Advanced characterization techniques including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to elucidate precipitation phenomena. Additionally, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was employed to assess the misorientation distribution after tempering. Charpy impact tests were performed on specimens tempered at different temperatures to evaluate their toughness. The findings reveal that with increasing tempering temperature, the fraction of low-angle grain boundaries decreases, which correlates positively with enhanced impact toughness. The results demonstrate that tempering at 580 °C optimizes the material’s microstructure, achieving an impact toughness value of approximately 163 J. Full article
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29 pages, 41212 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Stress Concentration and Fatigue Behavior in 9% Ni Steel Welded Joints under Cryogenic Conditions
by Yu-Yao Lin, Sang-Woong Han, Young-Hwan Park and Do Kyun Kim
Metals 2024, 14(7), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14070741 - 22 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1065
Abstract
This experimental study delves into the intricate mechanics of stress concentration and fatigue behavior exhibited by 9% Ni steel welded joints under cryogenic conditions. The study specifically examines butt-welded, fillet longitudinal, and fillet transverse specimens, comparing their fatigue properties under room and cryogenic [...] Read more.
This experimental study delves into the intricate mechanics of stress concentration and fatigue behavior exhibited by 9% Ni steel welded joints under cryogenic conditions. The study specifically examines butt-welded, fillet longitudinal, and fillet transverse specimens, comparing their fatigue properties under room and cryogenic temperatures. Notably, determining hot-spot stress presents a challenge, as it cannot be directly obtained through traditional means. To overcome this limitation, a method for predicting hot-spot stress is introduced, which considers the effects of misalignments and weld bead characteristics. The study also highlights the impact of grip-clamping-induced specimen deformation and the reduced middle section on stress concentration resulting from misalignments. Furthermore, it proposes separate consideration of the effects of the weld bead on the axial nominal stress and on the bending stress of the specimen. The accuracy of strain gauge measurements in cryogenic environments is addressed by suggesting a method to correct the output of 2-wire strain gauges using a fixed ratio derived from 2-wire and 3-wire strain gauges. By comparing predicted hot-spot stress with actual measurements, the study validates the reliability of the proposed predictive method. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the behavior of 9% Ni steel welded joints under cryogenic conditions and provide valuable insights for design and engineering in similar applications. Full article
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12 pages, 6202 KiB  
Article
Hydride-Induced Responses in the Mechanical Behavior of Zircaloy-4 Sheets
by Hsiao-Ming Tung and Tai-Cheng Chen
Metals 2024, 14(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14020177 - 1 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1350
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of hydrogen content, up to 1217 ppm, on the mechanical properties of Zircaloy-4, with a particular focus on the formation and impact of hydrides. Tensile specimens were tested across a range of temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of hydrogen content, up to 1217 ppm, on the mechanical properties of Zircaloy-4, with a particular focus on the formation and impact of hydrides. Tensile specimens were tested across a range of temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. The results revealed a pronounced ductile-to-brittle transition associated with hydride formation. When the hydrogen content in the specimens ranged between 700 and 850 ppm, a ductile-to-brittle transition was observed at temperatures of 25 °C, 50 °C, and 75 °C. At 25 °C, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of Zircaloy-4 linearly increased as the hydrogen concentration rose from 0 to 1217 ppm H. However, at higher temperatures, the behavior of UTS became more complex, especially in the hydrogen concentration ranges of 500–850 ppm H. Elongation (EL) in the hydrided specimens was affected by both temperature and hydrogen concentration. As hydrogen concentration increased, there was a noticeable decline in uniform EL, while non-uniform EL showed even more significant reductions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the fracture surfaces revealed that quasi-cleavage features became evident when the hydrogen content reached 850 ppm H, across all tested temperatures. These findings not only provide a quantitative assessment of the safety implications of Zircaloy-4 in nuclear reactor applications but also highlight the importance of the hydrogen charging process and mechanical testing in understanding its mechanical behavior. Full article
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15 pages, 6741 KiB  
Article
Determining Hot Deformation Behavior and Rheology Laws of Selected Austenitic Stainless Steels
by Josef Němec, Lenka Kunčická, Petr Opěla and Karel Dvořák
Metals 2023, 13(11), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13111902 - 17 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1386
Abstract
Due to their versatile properties, austenitic stainless steels have a wide application potential, including in specific fields, such as the nuclear power industry. ChN35VT steel is a chromium–nickel–tungsten type of steel stabilized by titanium, and it is suitable for parts subjected to considerable [...] Read more.
Due to their versatile properties, austenitic stainless steels have a wide application potential, including in specific fields, such as the nuclear power industry. ChN35VT steel is a chromium–nickel–tungsten type of steel stabilized by titanium, and it is suitable for parts subjected to considerable mechanical stress at elevated temperatures. However, the available data on its deformation behavior at elevated/high temperatures is scarce. The core of the presented research was thus the experimental characterization of the deformation behavior of the ChN35VT steel under hot conditions via the determination of flow stress curves, and their correlation with microstructure development. The obtained data was further compared with data acquired for 08Ch18N10T steel, which is also known for its applicability in the nuclear power industry. The experimental results were subsequently used to determine the Hensel-Spittel rheology laws for both the steels. The ChN35VT steel exhibited notably higher flow stress values in comparison with the 08Ch18N10T steel. This difference was more significant the lower the temperature and the higher the strain rate. Considering the peak stress values, the lowest difference was ~8 MPa (1250 °C and 0.01 s−1), and the highest was ~150 MPa (850 °C and 10 s−1). These findings also corresponded to the microstructure developments—the higher the deformation temperature, the more negligible the observed differences as regards the grain size and morphology. Full article
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