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Special Issue "Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 4560

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Prof. Dr. Filippo Berto

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: fatigue and fracture behavior of materials; mechanical characterization; structural integrity of conventional and innovative materials
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Dr. Ricardo Branco

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, CEMMPRE, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: fatigue behaviour; additive manufacturing; multiaxial fatigue; damage accumulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metals are widely used in various engineering sectors due to their superior properties. These materials are often subjected to complex static and cyclic loading histories, which can affect structural integrity. Therefore, designers must be able to account for the damage accumulation mechanisms and the associated durability to prevent unexpected failure. Thus, the development of safer and more durable components requires a deep understanding of the relationships between the microstructural features and the mechanical properties.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the more recent advances in the structural integrity of metals. Potential topics include alloy design, processing techniques, microstructure features, chemical composition, advanced simulation methods, mechanical behavior, failure mechanisms, heat treatment strategies, forming and joining technologies, and environmental effects. Research and review papers addressing all aspects of the structural integrity of metals are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Filippo Berto
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Branco
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. Metals 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

structural integrity
metal alloys
fatigue and fracture
impact and wear
static loading
cyclic loading
microstructure features
alloy design
failure mechanisms
processing techniques
numerical methods
welding technologies

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Al5TiB Master Alloy with P on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlSi7Mg Alloy

Tomasz Lipiński

Metals 2023, 13(9), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13091560 - 06 Sep 2023

Viewed by 243

Abstract

Aluminum-silicon alloys are popular casting alloys. In its raw state, the microstructure of the hypoeutectic silumin consists of a large eutectic β phase against the background of dendritic eutectic α. Due to its large microstructure components, mainly the eutectic β phase, this alloy has low mechanical properties. The unfavorable properties of hypoeutectic silumin can be improved by changing the size and shape of the alloy’s microstructure components. There are several possibilities for controlling the microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties of the alloy. One possibility is to modify the alloy with elements and chemical compounds. This paper presents the effect of phosphorus with Al-Ti-B on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hypoeutectic silumin AlSi7Mg. The proportions of Ti to B were selected on the basis of the results presented in the literature, recognizing the optimal ratio of 5:1. The modifier was introduced into the alloy in the form of an AlTiBP master alloy with a variable content of titanium, boron, and phosphorus. Phosphorus was added at the levels of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% of the weight of the modified casting. As a result of the tests carried out, the modifying effect of the introduced master alloy was confirmed. A different morphology of microstructures was obtained for the different chemical compositions of the modifier. The most favorable modification effect, whose measurable parameter is the highest (out of the obtained) mechanical properties, was found for the modifier containing 0.25% Ti + 0.03% B + 0.2% P. It was also found that phosphorus, in the presence of titanium and boron, affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of hypoeutectic silumin AlSi7Mg. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals)

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Open AccessArticle

A Novel Lap-Butt Joint Design for FSW of Aluminum to Steel in Tee-Configuration: Joining Mechanism, Intermetallic Formation, and Fracture Behavior

Reza Beygi

Amir Abbas Talkhabi

Majid Zarezadeh Mehrizi

Eduardo A. S. Marques

Ricardo J. C. Carbas

and

Lucas F. M. da Silva

Metals 2023, 13(6), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13061027 - 27 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 742

Abstract

The development of new joint configurations suitable for dissimilar materials enables a wider range of applications and allows for an accelerated replacement of traditional structural construction materials by lightweight materials. The T-configuration is a joint configuration that has not been sufficiently studied for use with dissimilar materials, especially when created using the friction stir welding (FSW) process. In this study, a combined lap/butt design was introduced and implemented, seeking to create a T-joint between aluminum and steel. Characterization of the joints showed that FSW could be successfully used to join aluminum and steel in a T-configuration. The formation of intermetallic bonds and kissing bonds was carefully analyzed, and their contribution to the fracture behavior during loading in the skin and stringer directions was studied. Finite element simulation was used to determine the stress state at the interface during loading. The characterization results showed that the intermetallic, as an indicator of metallurgical bonding, is formed when special features are observed in the pattern of material flow. The fractography images showed that the stress state has a major impact on the fracture. The results of the present study can be effectively used to design and fabricate dissimilar joints, taking into account the loading condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals)

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Open AccessArticle

Metallurgical Failure Analysis of Closed Water Circuit Containing Molybdate-Based Inhibitor

Andrea Casaroli

Marco Virginio Boniardi

Barbara Rivolta

Riccardo Gerosa

and

Francesco Iacoviello

Metals 2023, 13(4), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13040723 - 06 Apr 2023

Viewed by 904

Abstract

In this work, two industrial heating/cooling circuits are compared. One of the two systems failed in a short time showing severe corrosion damage and a through thickness crack close to one of the welds. The main difference between the circuits is the presence of a sodium molybdate-based corrosion inhibitor in the damaged one. The addition of these substances is very frequent in such applications, and they generally work very well in preventing serious corrosion attacks. Nevertheless, the technical literature reports other cases in which systems working with fluids containing such inhibitors failed prematurely. The authors performed a failure analysis of the damaged circuit focusing their attention on the regions where fluid leaks were observed because of through thickness cracks. This damage was located close to the pipe–flange weld. These zones were investigated by visual examination, radiographic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses, metallographic observations by light optical microscope (LOM), Vickers micro-hardness tests and optical emission spectroscopy (OES) chemical analysis. The failure was related to the presence of severe pitting and crevice corrosion in the welded areas with the final activation of a further critical corrosion mechanism, i.e., stress corrosion cracking (SCC). In order to explain the shorter working life of the failed system, a physical model of the corrosion mechanisms acting on the two circuits was proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals)

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Open AccessArticle

Plasticity Resource of Cast Iron at Deforming Broaching

Yakiv Nemyrovskyi

Ihor Shepelenko

and

Michael Storchak

Metals 2023, 13(3), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13030551 - 09 Mar 2023

Viewed by 888

Abstract

The contact interaction mechanics of deformation broaching in low-plasticity materials is studied. Particular attention is paid to the study of the stress–strain state parameters and the plasticity margin in the deformation zone during the machining of gray cast iron EN-GJL-200. The stress–strain state was analyzed using a finite-element model of the deforming broaching process for each area of the deformation zone. The model parameters of the machined material were determined experimentally by compressing specimens of gray cast iron EN-GJL-200. The changes in the parameters of accumulated strain, stress tensor components, stress triaxiality ratio, hydrostatic stress, and plasticity margin at different deformation zones along the machined specimen depth are analyzed. It is shown that there is a zone of local plastic deformation in conditions of critical contact stresses. This leads to the appearance of tensile stresses that reduce the plasticity margin in the surface layer. The impact of tool geometry on the stress–strain state of the surface layer is also discussed, and recommendations for the optimal working angle of the deforming element are provided based on plasticity margin minimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals)

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Open AccessArticle

Failure Analysis of a Femoral Cephalomedullary Nail

Farah Hamandi

Stephen Whatley

Gerard Simon

Indresh Venkatarayappa

and

Tarun Goswami

Metals 2023, 13(3), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13030506 - 02 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1110

Abstract

A fractured cephalomedullary femoral nailing system was investigated for the clinical and mechanical reasons responsible for its failure. Optical and scanning electron microscopes were utilized to investigate the fracture surface characteristics. Striations presented on the surface indicated mechanical fatigue. A qualitative material conformity test was conducted using available resources and found to be inconclusive, requiring more advanced testing of Ti-15Mo per ASTM standards in a third-party laboratory. In addition, the investigation showed that there is evidence of overloading failure once the fatigue-propagated crack reached a critical size. Based on the observed features, it is possible that nail and self-tapping helical screw interference may have occurred. The interior wall of the nail exhibited damage, allowing a surface crack to form. This surface crack was propagated due to cyclic loading occurring as a result of activities of daily living. The propagation of cracks formed the striations seen on the failed device. This continued for a period of time up until the crack grew to the point where the structure of the nail could no longer withstand the load and catastrophically failed by overloading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Structural Integrity of Metals)

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