Advanced Technologies in Ultrafine-Grained Metallic Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Many different methods for producing ultrafine-grained structures such as the top–down approaches known as severe plastic deformation (SPD) and mechanical alloying (MA) are available. In the first case, SPD involves changes to the shape of the investigated metallic materials and microstructure. To date, several SPD methods have been applied to refine grains in metallic materials to below micrometer range. For example, a process known as equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is a viable processing route to grain refinement and property improvement. 

In the case of MA, they are mainly based on the production of nanometer-scale powders and subsequent powder metallurgy for consolidation. These bulk materials exhibit an interesting combination of engineering and/or functional properties. One of the examples could be hardness improvement due to the grain boundary strengthening mechanism. An alternative method for changing the properties of metal-based materials is the production of a composite. For example, composites containing titanium or Ti-based alloys and bioceramic as a reinforced phase are promising alternatives in comparison to conventional materials.

This Special Issue will focus on new trends and progress in advanced technologies in the synthesis of ultrafine-grained metals and alloys and all new developments in the relationships between their microstructure and properties. All aspects related to new technologies and new applications in the broadly defined field of ultrafine-grained materials area are welcomed.

For this Special Issue of Metals, we invite both original research papers and reviews, bringing together work focusing on ultrafine-grained materials, composites, processing methods, characterization, testing, or a combination of methods and applications of metals, alloys, metal matrix composites, as well as those that involve theoretical studies. To optimize the choice of materials for a selected application, a better understanding of the role of microstructure on the engineering or functional properties of the material is crucial. 

Prof. Dr. Mieczyslaw Jurczyk
Guest Editor

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.

• Metals
• Alloys
• Metal matrix composites
• Ultrafine-grained structure
• Severe plastic deformation
• Mechanical alloying
• Powder metallurgy
• Microstructure
• New technologies
• Engineering materials
• Functional materials