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Plastic Deformation, Strengthening and Toughening of Advanced Metallic Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 8881

Special Issue Editor

College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: metal materials; material processing/manufacturing; material physics; mathematical modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metallic structure materials have been gaining widespread industrial applications, owing to their excellent properties. Strong metals are substantially desired in lightweight and energy-efficient industrial designs, such as in extensive applications of high-strength steels and aluminium (Al) alloys in automobiles, trains and planes. In most industrial alloy production and modern alloy design strategies, multiple obstacle families (for instance, solid solutions, particles and grain boundaries) and dislocations are employed to increase the strength. In recent years, numerous efforts have been contributed to processing high-strength metallic materials with good ductility or toughness. For such advanced alloys, the mechanisms of strengthening and toughening, as well as their plastic deformation mechanisms related dislocations evolutions, are still under debate.

In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of original research articles, communications and reviews concerning the plastic deformation, strengthening and toughening of advanced metallic materials. Contributions demonstrating experiments, simulations and modelling related to the above subject are welcomed.

Dr. Fulin Jiang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metallic materials
  • plastic deformation, mechanical properties
  • microstructure
  • advance processing
  • modelling
  • simulation

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 33308 KiB  
Article
Phase Transformation Temperature Prediction in Steels via Machine Learning
by Yupeng Zhang, Lin Cheng, Aonan Pan, Chengyang Hu and Kaiming Wu
Materials 2024, 17(5), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051117 - 29 Feb 2024
Viewed by 520
Abstract
The phase transformation temperature plays an important role in the design, production and heat treatment process of steels. In the present work, an improved version of the gradient-boosting method LightGBM has been utilized to study the influencing factors of the four phase transformation [...] Read more.
The phase transformation temperature plays an important role in the design, production and heat treatment process of steels. In the present work, an improved version of the gradient-boosting method LightGBM has been utilized to study the influencing factors of the four phase transformation temperatures, namely Ac1, Ac3, the martensite transformation start (MS) temperature and the bainitic transformation start (BS) temperature. The effects of the alloying element were discussed in detail by comparing their influencing mechanisms on different phase transformation temperatures. The training accuracy was significantly improved by further introducing appropriate features related to atomic parameters. The melting temperature and coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the pure metals corresponding to the alloying elements, atomic Waber–Cromer pseudopotential radii and valence electron number were the top four among the eighteen atomic parameters used to improve the trained model performance. The training and prediction processes were analyzed using a partial dependence plot (PDP) and Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) methods to reveal the relationships between the features and phase transformation temperature. Full article
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7 pages, 3752 KiB  
Communication
Phase Equilibria Related to NiGa5 in the Binary Ni-Ga System
by Chih-Chia Bill Chang and C. R. Kao
Materials 2024, 17(4), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040883 - 14 Feb 2024
Viewed by 394
Abstract
The assembly of Ga alloys with Ni or Ni alloy has been widely developed for various low-temperature applications in recent years. In the constituent Ni-Ga binary system, however, the phase equilibrium with the phase “NiGa5” and its stability has scarcely been [...] Read more.
The assembly of Ga alloys with Ni or Ni alloy has been widely developed for various low-temperature applications in recent years. In the constituent Ni-Ga binary system, however, the phase equilibrium with the phase “NiGa5” and its stability has scarcely been investigated. The present study used the diffusion couple technique combined with SEM-EPMA and XRD analysis to examine the phase stability and the homogeneity range of the phase. The results show that “NiGa5” is a stable phase in the binary system with little homogeneity range and suggest that the peritectic reaction L+Ni3Ga7NiGa5 lies between 112.0 and 115.5 °C. This work provides new information for the modification of the Ga-rich low-T region of the Ni-Ga phase diagram. Full article
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17 pages, 4297 KiB  
Article
Relative Entropy Application to Study the Elastoplastic Behavior of S235JR Structural Steel
by Marcin Kamiński and Michał Strąkowski
Materials 2024, 17(3), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030727 - 03 Feb 2024
Viewed by 371
Abstract
The main issue in this work is to study the limit functions necessary for the reliability assessment of structural steel with the use of the relative entropy apparatus. This will be done using a few different mathematical theories relevant to this relative entropy, [...] Read more.
The main issue in this work is to study the limit functions necessary for the reliability assessment of structural steel with the use of the relative entropy apparatus. This will be done using a few different mathematical theories relevant to this relative entropy, namely those proposed by Bhattacharyya, Kullback–Leibler, Jeffreys, and Hellinger. Probabilistic analysis in the presence of uncertainty in material characteristics will be delivered using three different numerical strategies—Monte Carlo simulation, the stochastic perturbation method, as well as the semi-analytical approach. All of these methods are based on the weighted least squares method approximations of the structural response functions versus the given uncertainty source, and they allow efficient determination of the first two probabilistic moments of the structural responses including stresses, displacements, and strains. The entire computational implementation will be delivered using the finite element method system ABAQUS and computer algebra program MAPLE, where relative entropies, as well as polynomial response functions, will be determined. This study demonstrates that the relative entropies may be efficiently used in reliability assessment close to the widely engaged first-order reliability method (FORM). The relative entropy concept enables us to study the probabilistic distance of any two distributions, so that structural resistance and extreme effort in elastoplastic behavior need not be restricted to Gaussian distributions. Full article
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15 pages, 5292 KiB  
Article
Plastic Evolution Characterization for 304 Stainless Steel by CQN_Chen Model under the Proportional Loading
by Xiang Gao, Songchen Wang, Zhongming Xu, Jia Zhou, Xinming Wan, Hasib Md Abu Rayhan and Yanshan Lou
Materials 2023, 16(21), 6828; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216828 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 630
Abstract
In this paper, the CQN_Chen function is used to characterize the plastic anisotropic evolution of 304 stainless steel (SS304). The uniaxial tensile tests along different loading directions are conducted to experimentally investigate the anisotropic hardening behavior for SS304. The experimental data indicates that [...] Read more.
In this paper, the CQN_Chen function is used to characterize the plastic anisotropic evolution of 304 stainless steel (SS304). The uniaxial tensile tests along different loading directions are conducted to experimentally investigate the anisotropic hardening behavior for SS304. The experimental data indicates that the anisotropy of SS304 is weak. The convexity analysis is carried out by the geometry-inspired numerical convex analysis method for the CQN_Chen yield locus during plastic deformation. The Hill48, SY2009 and CQN functions are used as the comparison to evaluate the accuracy of the CQN_Chen function in characterizing plastic evolution. The predicted values are compared with the experimental data. The comparison demonstrates that the CQN_Chen function can accurately characterize anisotropic hardening behavior under uniaxial tension along distinct loading directions and equibiaxial tension. Simultaneously, the CQN_Chen model has the capacity to adjust the yield surface shape between uniaxial tension and equibiaxial tension. The CQN_Chen model is recommended to characterize plastic evolving behavior under uniaxial tension along different directions and equibiaxial tension. Full article
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14 pages, 6863 KiB  
Article
Effect of Austempering Processes on the Tensile Properties and the Work-Hardening Behavior of Austempered Bainitic Steels Below the Martensite Start Temperature
by Kun Wang, Feng Hu, Wen Zhou, Serhii Yershov, Li Li and Kaiming Wu
Materials 2023, 16(16), 5562; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16165562 - 10 Aug 2023
Viewed by 646
Abstract
The tensile properties and work-hardening behavior of austempered bainitic steels below martensite start temperature (Ms) were investigated and compared with those of bainitic steel austempered above Ms. The results show that the tensile strength and yield strength increased from 1096 MPa and 734 [...] Read more.
The tensile properties and work-hardening behavior of austempered bainitic steels below martensite start temperature (Ms) were investigated and compared with those of bainitic steel austempered above Ms. The results show that the tensile strength and yield strength increased from 1096 MPa and 734 MPa to 1203 MPa and 951 MPa, respectively, when the austempering temperature was decreased from 400 °C to 300 °C. However, the total elongation decreased from 23% to 16%. The martensite-retained austenite blocks and bainitic ferrite laths are significantly refined. With a decrease in the austempering temperature, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreased from 15.4 vol% to 6.2 vol%. The carbon content in retained austenite increased from 1.12 wt% to 1.69 wt%. All tensile specimens exhibited three stages of deformation in the differential Crussard−Jaoul (C−J) models. The difference in ductility is mainly attributed to the transformation of the retained austenite blocks into strain-induced martensite during deformation. The initial content of retained austenite is the main factor affecting the ductility of bainitic steels. Therefore, the work-hardening ability of austempered bainitic steel above Ms is higher than that of bainitic steel below Ms. Full article
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14 pages, 11649 KiB  
Article
On the Degree of Plastic Strain during Laser Shock Peening of Ti-6Al-4V
by Sergey Mironov, Maxim Ozerov, Alexander Kalinenko, Ivan Zuiko, Nikita Stepanov, Oleg Plekhov, Gennady Salishchev, Lee Semiatin and Sergey Zherebtsov
Materials 2023, 16(15), 5365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16155365 - 30 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1139
Abstract
Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative technique that is used to enhance the fatigue strength of structural materials via the generation of significant residual stress. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the degree of plastic strain introduced during LSP and thus [...] Read more.
Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative technique that is used to enhance the fatigue strength of structural materials via the generation of significant residual stress. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the degree of plastic strain introduced during LSP and thus improve the fundamental understanding of the LSP process. To this end, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and nano-hardness measurements were performed to examine the microstructural response of laser-shock-peened Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Only minor changes in both the shape of α grains/particles and hardness were found. Accordingly, it was concluded that the laser-shock-peened material only experienced a small plastic strain. This surprising result was attributed to a relatively high rate of strain hardening of Ti-6Al-4V during LSP. Full article
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19 pages, 8369 KiB  
Article
Influence of Pre-Heat Treatment on the Deformation Behaviors, Microstructural Characteristics, and Mechanical Properties of a Continuously Cast Al-Cu-Mg Alloy during Continuous Extrusion Process
by Renbao Qin, Wentian Chen, Jie Tang, Fulin Jiang, Yonggang Chen and Hui Zhang
Materials 2023, 16(8), 3042; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16083042 - 12 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1038
Abstract
The presence of a second phase in Al-Cu-MG alloys, with various sizes and supersaturation-solid-solubility, which can be changed by pre-heat-treatment, could have remarkable influence on hot workability and mechanical performance. In the present work, a continuously cast 2024 Al alloy was homogenized and [...] Read more.
The presence of a second phase in Al-Cu-MG alloys, with various sizes and supersaturation-solid-solubility, which can be changed by pre-heat-treatment, could have remarkable influence on hot workability and mechanical performance. In the present work, a continuously cast 2024 Al alloy was homogenized and then subjected to hot compression and continuous extrusion (Conform) along with the initial as-cast alloy. The results showed that the 2024 Al alloy specimen with pre-heat treatment had a higher resistance to deformation and dynamic recovery (DRV) during hot compression process compared with the as-cast sample. Meanwhile, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was advanced in the pre-heat-treated sample. After the Conform Process, the pre-heat-treated sample also attained better mechanical properties without additional solid solution treatment. The higher supersaturation solid solubility and dispersoids generated during pre-heat treatment was proved to play a key role in restricting boundary migration, tangling dislocation motion and promoting the precipitation of S phase, which raised resistance to DRV and plastic deformation and enhanced the mechanical properties. Full article
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13 pages, 8033 KiB  
Article
Hot Workability of the Multi-Size SiC Particle-Reinforced 6013 Aluminum Matrix Composites
by Changlong Wu, Shuang Chen, Jie Tang, Dingfa Fu, Jie Teng and Fulin Jiang
Materials 2023, 16(2), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020796 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1170
Abstract
The size and distribution of ceramic particles in aluminum matrix composites have been reported to remarkably influence their properties. For a single ceramic particle, the particle size is too small and prone to agglomeration, which makes the mechanical properties of the composites worse. [...] Read more.
The size and distribution of ceramic particles in aluminum matrix composites have been reported to remarkably influence their properties. For a single ceramic particle, the particle size is too small and prone to agglomeration, which makes the mechanical properties of the composites worse. When the ceramic particle size is too large, the particles and alloy at the interface are not firmly bonded, and the effect of dispersion distribution is not achieved, which will also reduce the mechanical properties of the composites. The multi-size ceramic particles are expected to improve this situation, while their effect on hot workability is less studied. In this study, the hot deformation behavior, constitutive model, processing map and SEM microstructure were investigated to evaluate the hot workability of multi-size SiC particle-reinforced 6013 aluminum matrix composites. The results showed that the increased deformation temperature and decreased strain rate could decrease flow stresses. The flow stress behaviors of the composites can be described by the sine-hyperbolic Arrhenius equation with the deformation activation energy of Q = 205.863 kJ/mol. The constitutive equation of the composites is ε ˙=3.11592×1013sinh0.024909σ4.12413exp205863RT. Then, the hot processing map of the SiCp/6013 composites was constructed and verified by SEM observations. The rheological instability zone was in the region of a high strain rate. The optimal processing zone for composites was 450~500 °C and 0.03~0.25 s−1. In addition, the strain level was found to increase both the Q value and the area of the instability zone. Full article
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12 pages, 7773 KiB  
Article
Nanomechanics of Retained Austenite in Medium-Carbon Low-Temperature Bainitic Steel: A Critical Analysis of a One-Step versus a Two-Step Treatment
by Songbo Zhou, Feng Hu, Kun Wang, Chengyang Hu, Wen Zhou, Serhii Yershov, Kaiming Wu, Zhicheng Zhang and Xianming Pan
Materials 2022, 15(17), 5996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175996 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 985
Abstract
A two-step bainitic treatment with a final isothermal temperature below MS was adopted to obtain bainitic steel with abundant retained austenite (RA). Nanoindentation testing was used to investigate the stability of RA in bainite steel and clarify the effect of RA on [...] Read more.
A two-step bainitic treatment with a final isothermal temperature below MS was adopted to obtain bainitic steel with abundant retained austenite (RA). Nanoindentation testing was used to investigate the stability of RA in bainite steel and clarify the effect of RA on the deformation of medium-carbon steel. The results showed that, in contrast to the traditional one-step approach, a greater amount of nanoscale RA film was obtained using the two-step treatment. This was due to a lower final bainitic transformation temperature, which induced a higher carbon concentration in the untransformed austenite in the stasis stage; this resulted in untransformed austenite with a higher carbon content existing as RA rather than forming martensite in the subsequent cooling process. In addition, it was determined that the increased stability of RA during the two-step transformation delayed the pop-in point. Full article
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10 pages, 5554 KiB  
Article
Influence of Strain Rates during Severe Plastic Strain Processes on Microstructural and Mechanical Evolution in Pure Zinc
by Mariusz Kulczyk, Jacek Skiba, Monika Skorupska, Sylwia Przybysz and Julita Smalc-Koziorowska
Materials 2022, 15(14), 4892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15144892 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
The study presents an analysis of the influence of the plastic strain rate on the mechanical and structural properties of pure zinc. Thanks to the use of unconventional methods of plastic processing, the process of the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and the [...] Read more.
The study presents an analysis of the influence of the plastic strain rate on the mechanical and structural properties of pure zinc. Thanks to the use of unconventional methods of plastic processing, the process of the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and the process of hydrostatic extrusion (HE), the tests were performed in a wide range of plastic strain rates, between 0.04 s−1 and 170 s−1. Plastic strain rate changes were carried out in the course of the significant plastic strain processes, and not on previously deformed samples. All tests were carried out at a constant value of plastic strain rate, ε ~ 2. A strong influence of the plastic strain rate on changes in the microstructure in zinc was observed during the tests. For the rates in the range of 0.04 s−1 to 0.53 s−1 its bimodal nature was observed, and in the range of 7 s−1 to 170 s−1 high homogeneity and evenness of grains related to the processes of continuous dynamic recrystallization was noticed. The effect of the strong homogenization of the microstructure was the increase in mechanical properties, yield point and tensile strength to the maximum values of UTS = 194 MPa, YS = 145 MPa at a strain rate of 170 s−1. Compared to the material with a bimodal microstructure, an over seven-fold increase in the elongation value was observed. Full article
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