Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.6
2.7
Journals
Crystals
Special Issues
High-Performance Light Alloys 2022
share announcement

High-Performance Light Alloys 2022

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystalline Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 8708

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhiwen Shao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Lightweight Materials Institute, Ningbo Branch of China Ordnance Academy, Ningbo, China
Interests: light alloys; casting; plastic deformation; heat treatment; mechanical properties
Dr. Xiaoli Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Material Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
Interests: titanium alloys; phase transformation; mechnical properties; biomaterials
Dr. Chi Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
2. State Key Lab of Rolling and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Interests: high-performance stainless steel; texture evolution; plastic processing; multi-scale modelling and simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Light alloys, which have the advantages of a high specific strength and specific stiffness, have wide application in aerospace, transportation, automobile, electronics and the national defense military industry. Various high-performance light alloys have been developed in recent years. One main focus is to improve the mechanical properties of light alloys to reduce the weight of components and improve the service life. The preparation method, such as casting, plastic processing, welding and joining, heat treatment and powder metallurgy, plays an important role in the microstructure evolution and the improvement of mechanical properties.

This Special Issue will compile recent developments and excellent results in the field of high-performance light alloys to accelerate their large-scale application. The articles presented in this Special Issue will cover but are not limited to the following topics: aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, metallic composites, casting, plastic processing, welding and joining, heat treatment, powder metallurgy, phase transformation, texture, strengthening and toughening, and fatigue properties.

Dr. Zhiwen Shao
Dr. Xiaoli Zhao
Dr. Chi Zhang
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.

Keywords

  • aluminum alloys
  • magnesium alloys
  • titanium alloys
  • metallic composites
  • casting
  • plastic processing
  • welding and joining
  • heat treatment
  • powder metallurgy
  • phase transformation
  • texture
  • strengthening and toughening
  • fatigue properties

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 6934 KiB  
Article
Free Intermetallic Cladding Interface between Aluminum and Steel through Friction Stir Processing
by Essam R. I. Mahmoud, Sohaib Z. Khan, Abdulrahman Aljabri, Hamad Almohamadi, Mohamed Abdelghany Elkotb, Mohamed A. Gepreel and Saad Ebied
Crystals 2022, 12(10), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12101413 - 6 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1439
Abstract
In this paper, the cladding of pure aluminum and a low-carbon steel alloy was performed through friction stir processing with minimal intermetallic compound formation. A 3 mm thick aluminum plate was clamped on top of a steel plate. A thick, pure copper plate [...] Read more.
In this paper, the cladding of pure aluminum and a low-carbon steel alloy was performed through friction stir processing with minimal intermetallic compound formation. A 3 mm thick aluminum plate was clamped on top of a steel plate. A thick, pure copper plate was used as a backing plate. The tool pin length was adjusted to be the same as the upper plate’s thickness (3 mm) and longer than 3.2 mm. The effect of the tool pin length and the rotation speed (500–1500 rpm) on the cladding’s quality, microstructure, and the mechanical properties of the steel/aluminum interface were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy, a hardness test, and a peel test. The results showed that the bonding of pure aluminum and a low-carbon steel alloy can be successfully performed at a more than 500 rpm rotation speed. At a tool pin length of 3 mm and a rotation speed of 1000 rpm, sound and free-intermetallic compound–cladding interfaces were formed, while some Fel2Al5 intermetallics were formed when the rotation speed was increased to 1500 rpm. The pure copper backing plate has an essential role in eliminating or reducing the formation of intermetallic compounds in the cladding interface. When the tool pin length was increased to 3.2 mm, more steel fragments were found on the aluminum side. Moreover, with a higher rotation speed and longer tool pin length, more Fe2Al5 intermetallics were formed at the interface. Increasing the rotation speed and the pin tool length contributed to the enhancement of interface bonding. Meanwhile, the maximum tensile shear load was obtained at a rotation speed of 1500 rpm and a tool pin length of 3.2 mm. In addition, the hardness values of the interface were higher than the aluminum base metal for all the investigated samples. Decreasing the rotation speed and increasing the tool pin length can significantly increase hardness measurements. The average hardness increases from 42 HV of the pure aluminum to 143 HV at a rotation speed and a tool pin length of 1500 rpm and 3.2, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Light Alloys 2022)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 4870 KiB  
Article
β-Phase-Induced Quasi-Cleavage Fracture Mechanism by Dual-Phase High-Strength Titanium Alloy at Elevated Temperature
by Wenlan Wei, Hao Qu, Jiarui Cheng, Rui Zhang, Yinping Cao and Lu Cui
Crystals 2022, 12(9), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12091255 - 5 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1826
Abstract
Dual-phase high-strength titanium alloy has the properties of high specific strength and good toughness, which have resulted in its gradual use in the fields of oil and gas well engineering. The elevated-temperature service environment of deep strata is its key research direction. In [...] Read more.
Dual-phase high-strength titanium alloy has the properties of high specific strength and good toughness, which have resulted in its gradual use in the fields of oil and gas well engineering. The elevated-temperature service environment of deep strata is its key research direction. In this paper, the strength and fracture mechanism of a new type of α + β-phase titanium alloy tubing material in its service-temperature range are studied. Its fracture mechanism changed at 130 °C to 150 °C, from normal-stress ductile fracture to quasi-cleavage fracture formed by β-phase voids, which induced microshear, which significantly reduced the elongation of the material and accelerated the rate of yield strength decline with temperature. This mechanism provides a new guiding idea for the design of the microstructure and element content of dual-phase high-strength titanium alloy. For titanium alloy materials in service within the temperature range of the fracture mechanism transition, which is between 130 °C and 150 °C, reducing the void-inducing factors in the β-phase or reducing the content of the β-phase to avoid microshear failure should be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Light Alloys 2022)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 6005 KiB  
Article
Modeling of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Heat Treated ZE41-Ca-Sr Alloys for Integrated Computing Platform
by Yu Fu, Chen Liu, Yunkun Song, Hai Hao, Yongdong Xu, Zhiwen Shao, Jun Wang and Xiurong Zhu
Crystals 2022, 12(9), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12091237 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1194
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to present a methodology to model the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZE41-xCa-ySr alloys for integrated optimization calculation of the heat treatment process of gearbox casting. Firstly, the models of microstructure and [...] Read more.
The main objective of this study is to present a methodology to model the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZE41-xCa-ySr alloys for integrated optimization calculation of the heat treatment process of gearbox casting. Firstly, the models of microstructure and mechanical properties of ZE41-xCa-ySr alloys (0 ≤ x ≤ 2, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) are developed using an artificial neural network (ANN) and multivariate regression. The dataset for ANN and regression models is generated by investigating the microstructures and mechanical properties of the ZE41-xCa-ySr alloys. The inputs for ANN and regression models are Ca and Sr contents, aging temperature and aging time. The outputs are grain size, ultimate tensile strength, elongation and microhardness. The optimal ANN model is obtained by testing the performance of different network architectures. In addition, multivariate regression models have been built based on the Least Squares method. Secondly, based on SiPESC software, an Integrated Computing Platform is constructed by combining the scripting language with the command line operation of simulation software, realizing the “process—microstructure—property” optimization calculation. Finally, based on the developed regression model, an Integrated Computing Platform batch called MATLAB achieves the heat treatment process optimization based on mechanical property prediction. The optimum aging temperature of the ZE41-0.17Ca-0.2Sr alloy is 322 °C, and the corresponding aging time is 11 h. Furthermore, the optimized results are validated by the ANN model, suggesting that ANN predicted results are in good agreement with optimized results. As a consequence, this work provides a new strategy for the research and development of Mg alloys, contributing to acceleration in the development of magnesium alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Light Alloys 2022)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2681 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Mechanical Properties of Heat-Treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr Alloys with the Artificial Neural Network and the Regression Model
by Yu Fu, Zhiwen Shao, Chen Liu, Yinyang Wang, Yongdong Xu and Xiurong Zhu
Crystals 2022, 12(6), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12060754 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
In this study, an artificial neural network approach and a regression model are adopted to predict the mechanical properties of heat-treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr magnesium alloys. The dataset for artificial neural network (ANN) modeling is generated by investigating the microhardness of heat-treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr alloys using [...] Read more.
In this study, an artificial neural network approach and a regression model are adopted to predict the mechanical properties of heat-treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr magnesium alloys. The dataset for artificial neural network (ANN) modeling is generated by investigating the microhardness of heat-treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr alloys using Vickers hardness tests. A back-propagation (BP) neural network is established using experimental data that enable the prediction of mechanical properties as a function of the composition and heat treatment process. The input variables for the BP network model are Ca and Sr contents, ageing temperature and ageing time. The output variable corresponds to the microhardness. The optimal BP network model is acquired by optimizing the number of the hidden layer nodes. The results indicate that a reliable correlation coefficient is above 0.95 for architecture (4-8-1), which has a high level of accuracy for prediction. In addition, a second-order polynomial regression model is developed based on the least squares method. The results of determination coefficients and Fisher’s criterion indicate that the regression model is capable of modeling mechanical properties as a function of composition and the ageing process. Furthermore, supplemental experiments are conducted to check the accuracy of the BP model and the regression model, suggesting that the model predictions are well in accordance with experimental results. Therefore, both the BP network and regression models have high accuracy in modeling and predicting mechanical properties of heat-treated Mg-Zn-RE-Zr-Ca-Sr alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Light Alloys 2022)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6745 KiB  
Article
Microstructural, Mechanical and Wear Properties of Al–1.3%Si Alloy as Compared to Hypo/Hyper–Eutectic Compositions in Al–Si Alloy System
by Ahmad Mostafa and Nabeel Alshabatat
Crystals 2022, 12(5), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12050719 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2303
Abstract
The microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of three Al–Si alloys, namely: Al–1.3%Si, Al–1.5%Si and Al–13.5%Si were investigated. The specimens were examined by using an optical microscope to investigate the microstructural features of pin materials. Microhardness numbers and mechanical behavior parameters were determined [...] Read more.
The microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of three Al–Si alloys, namely: Al–1.3%Si, Al–1.5%Si and Al–13.5%Si were investigated. The specimens were examined by using an optical microscope to investigate the microstructural features of pin materials. Microhardness numbers and mechanical behavior parameters were determined by using a microhardness indenter and compression test, respectively. The dry sliding wear test was carried out using a pin-on-disc apparatus by varying the rotational speed (250, 350, and 450 rpm), normal load (5, 10 and 20 N) and test time (5, 10 and 15 min) at a constant sliding diameter of 300 mm. The surface roughness index (Ra) of the worn surfaces was determined by using a profilometer. The microstructure of Al–1.3%Si alloy was described as a fine eutectic colonizing in the FCC-Al phase matrix. Coarse eutectic dendrites surrounding the primary FCC-Al grains were observed in Al–1.5%Si alloy. The microstructure of Al–13.5%Si alloy showed a uniform layered structure of FCC-Al + Diamond Si eutectic. The average microhardness number was directly proportional to the Si concentration. Al–13.5%Si alloy with a high microhardness number (47.16 HV) showed excellent resistance to wear and exhibited a smoother surface at the end-of-wear test. The improved wear resistance in this case could be due to the presence of Diamond-Si hard phase in large quantities compared with other compositions. On the other hand, Al–1.5%Si alloy showed poorer resistance to wear because the mass loss action was dominated by a particle detachment mechanism. The response surfaces of the mass loss vs. speed, normal load and time showed increased mass loss when the three controlled parameters were increased. However, Pareto charts of the main effects of parametric interactions showed that the normal load was the main factor that must be considered when studying the tribological properties of Al–Si alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Light Alloys 2022)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop