Dear Colleagues,

With the development of science and technology, many emerging technologies are being used to synthesize new metal materials such as high-entropy alloys, metallic laminated composites, nanostructures materials, 3D-printed structures, metal-based energetic structural materials etc. Due to the differences in the properties of different metallic materials, the microstructural and mechanical properties must be evaluated to determine whether the materials can be applied in nuclear fusion, aerospace, mechanical, electronic and petrochemical industry, bridges, weaponry, warheads, fragments etc. Indeed, the microstructure of metallic materials has a crucial effect on their mechanical properties, such as phase-transformation strengthening, dislocation strengthening, grain-boundary strengthening, grain refinement and composition and the proportion of elements, which can be used to achieve high strength/hardness and determine the application of the metallic material. Through preparation techniques such as explosive welding, explosive consolidation, explosion hardening, 3D printing, rolling, hot isostatic pressing sintering, high-entropy alloying etc., metallic materials with various microstructures can be obtained. Achieving metal materials with a range of targeted microstructure and mechanical properties is crucial in order to expand their application field.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the preparation, characterization, microstructure, mechanical properties, and applications of metallic materials, metallic composites and nanocomposites. We hope that the Issue will compile the current state of the art of metallic materials and highlight the range of applications of these metal composites and nanostructures (explosive welding, explosive hardening, 3D printing, explosive consolidation, energetic structural materials etc.).

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Design and preparation of metallic materials and metallic composites;

• Microstructure characterization and mechanical properties of steels, high-entropy alloys, aluminum alloys, titanium and magnesium alloys, metallic laminated composites and nanostructured materials; impact initiation and reaction behavior of energetic structural materials etc.;

• EBSD, TEM, EDS, SEM, XRD, DSC and APT;
• Strengthening and deformation failure mechanisms.

We invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Original research articles, perspectives and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Qiang Zhou
Dr. Xinde Zhu
Dr. Bin Jia
Dr. Wenjie Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• explosive welding
• explosive consolidation
• explosion hardening
• 3D printing
• metallic materials
• microstructure characterization
• welding
• mechanical properties
• light metal alloys
• steel
• titanium
• aluminum
• magnesium
• composites
• nanocomposites
• thermomechanical treatment