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Metals
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Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels
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Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Casting, Forming and Heat Treatment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2025) | Viewed by 6012

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Atef Saad Hamada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
FMT Group Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Interests: grain boundaries; microstructure; materials engineering; steel; nanomaterials; mechanical engineering; plasticity; mechanical properties; alloys; material characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for the dissemination of the latest research and developments in the field of high-strength steels, with a particular focus on the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties. High-strength steels are of great importance in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and infrastructure, due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

The scope of this Special Issue includes a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to:

- Novel steel compositions and microstructural design strategies for enhanced strength and ductility
- Advancements in thermomechanical processing and heat treatment of high-strength steels
- Characterization techniques for in-depth understanding of microstructural evolution and phase transformations
- Modeling and simulation of microstructure-property relationships in high-strength steels
- Innovative manufacturing and joining techniques for high-strength steel components
- Corrosion and wear behavior of high-strength steels in service environments

Researchers and experts in the fields of steel metallurgy, physical metallurgy, materials engineering, and mechanical engineering are invited to contribute original research articles, review papers, and short communications that address the latest developments and challenges in the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength steels.

Dr. Atef Saad Hamada
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.

Keywords

  • high-strength steels
  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties
  • phase transformations
  • thermomechanical processing
  • characterization techniques
  • modeling and simulation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 11972 KiB  
Article
Effect of Trace Rare Earth Elements (Ce) on the Corrosion Resistance of High-Strength Weathering Bridge Steels
by Jiquan Chen, Ruifeng Dong, Yuansu Lei, Peiying Zhou, Xiong Yang and Lifeng Fan
Metals 2025, 15(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15010085 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
In this study, Q370qENH high-strength weathering bridge steel was used as the base material. The corrosion experiment in a marine atmosphere was simulated by the salt spray test, and the outdoor atmospheric exposure corrosion experiment and electrochemical method test were carried out. The [...] Read more.
In this study, Q370qENH high-strength weathering bridge steel was used as the base material. The corrosion experiment in a marine atmosphere was simulated by the salt spray test, and the outdoor atmospheric exposure corrosion experiment and electrochemical method test were carried out. The corrosion behavior of Q370qENH high-strength weathering bridge steel in a marine atmosphere was studied using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and other surface testing techniques. The results show that the corrosion rate of the steel gradually decreases with the increase in the content of trace rare earth elements. Ce played a role in the modification of inclusions so that MnS was modified into rare earth composite inclusions, which slowed down the occurrence of corrosion. The enrichment of Cu alloy elements in the inner rust layer of the rare earth experimental steel improves the compactness of the rust layer, and the thickness of the inner rust layer is increased by 42%, which enhances the stability of the rust layer. With the increase in cerium, the protection coefficient α/γ* of the rust layer of experimental steel increases, indicating that the corrosion resistance of the material is improved. In addition, the electrochemical results show that the addition of rare earth elements in Q370qENH steel will lead to a positive shift in the electrochemical self-corrosion potential, a larger impedance radius of the steel rust layer, and a stronger protective effect. Due to the addition of trace cerium, the seawater corrosion resistance of the test steel is improved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels)
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15 pages, 2877 KiB  
Article
Tracing the Origin of Oxide Inclusions in Vacuum Arc Remelted Steel Ingots Using Trace Element Profiles and Strontium Isotope Ratios
by Christoph Walkner, Gulnaz Mukhametzianova, Stefan Wagner, Jörg C. Korp, Andreas Graf, Johanna Irrgeher, Thomas C. Meisel and Thomas Prohaska
Metals 2025, 15(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15010067 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) in steel have a detrimental effect on the processing, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the finished product. This is particularly evident in the case of macroscopic inclusions (>100 µm), which are rarely observed in steel castings produced using state-of-the-art [...] Read more.
Non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) in steel have a detrimental effect on the processing, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the finished product. This is particularly evident in the case of macroscopic inclusions (>100 µm), which are rarely observed in steel castings produced using state-of-the-art technologies, whereby casting parameters are optimized towards steel cleanliness, and post-treatment steps such as vacuum arc remelting (VAR) are used, but frequently result in the rejection of the affected product. To improve production processes and develop effective countermeasures, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the origin and formation of NMIs. In this study, the potential of elemental and isotopic fingerprinting to trace the sources of macroscopic oxide NMIs found in VAR-treated steel ingots using SEM-EDX, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS), and laser ablation multicollector ICP-MS (LA-MC-ICP-MS) were exploited. Following this approach, main and trace element content and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios were determined in two specimens of macroscopic NMIs, as well as in samples of potential source materials. The combination of the data allowed the drawing of conclusions about the processes leading to the formation of these inclusions. For both specimens, very similar results were obtained, indicating a common mechanism of formation. The inclusions were likely exogenous in origin and were primarily composed of calcium–aluminum oxides. They appeared to have undergone chemical modification during the casting and remelting process. The results indicate that particles from the refractory lining of the casting system most likely formed the macroscopic inclusions, possibly in conjunction with a second, calcium-rich material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels)
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20 pages, 21853 KiB  
Article
Thermal Evolution of Expanded Phases Formed by PIII Nitriding in Super Duplex Steel Investigated by In Situ Synchrotron Radiation
by Bruna Corina Emanuely Schibicheski Kurelo, João Frederico Haas Leandro Monteiro, Gelson Biscaia de Souza, Francisco Carlos Serbena, Carlos Maurício Lepienski, Rodrigo Perito Cardoso and Silvio Francisco Brunatto
Metals 2024, 14(12), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14121396 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 721
Abstract
The Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) nitriding was used to form a modified layer rich in expanded austenite (γN) and expanded ferrite (αN) phases in super duplex steel. The thermal stability of these phases was investigated through the in [...] Read more.
The Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) nitriding was used to form a modified layer rich in expanded austenite (γN) and expanded ferrite (αN) phases in super duplex steel. The thermal stability of these phases was investigated through the in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. All the surfaces were analyzed by SEM, EDS, and nanoindentation. During the heating stage of the thermal treatments, the crystalline structure of the γN phase expanded thermally up to a temperature of 350 °C and, above this temperature, a reduction in the lattice parameter was observed due to the diffusion of nitrogen into the substrate. During the isothermal heating, the gradual diffusion of nitrogen continued and the lattice parameter of the γN phase decreased. Increasing the treatment temperature from 450 °C to 550 °C, a greater reduction in the lattice parameter of the γN phase occured and the peaks related to the CrN, α, and αN phases became more evident in the diffractograms. This phenomenon is associated with the decomposition of the γN phase into CrN + α + αN. After the heat treatments, the thickness of the modified layers increased and the hardness values close to the surface decreased, according to the diffusion of the nitrogen to the substrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels)
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18 pages, 17246 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of High-Cycle Fatigue and Failure Mechanisms in Ultrahigh-Strength CrNiMoWMnV Low-Alloy Steels
by Atef Hamada, Mohammed Ali, Sumit Ghosh, Matias Jaskari, Tarek Allam, Ruth Schwaiger, Mamdouh Eissa and Taha Mattar
Metals 2024, 14(11), 1238; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14111238 - 29 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1032
Abstract
This study provides a thorough analysis of the fatigue resistance of two low-alloy ultrahigh-strength steels (UHSSs): Steel A (fully martensitic) and Steel B (martensitic–bainitic). The investigation focused on the fatigue behaviour, damage mechanisms, and failure modes across different microstructures. Fatigue strength was determined [...] Read more.
This study provides a thorough analysis of the fatigue resistance of two low-alloy ultrahigh-strength steels (UHSSs): Steel A (fully martensitic) and Steel B (martensitic–bainitic). The investigation focused on the fatigue behaviour, damage mechanisms, and failure modes across different microstructures. Fatigue strength was determined through fully reversed tension–compression stress-controlled fatigue tests. Microstructural evolution, fracture surface characteristics, and crack-initiation mechanisms were investigated using laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Microindentation hardness (HIT) tests were conducted to examine the cyclic hardening and softening of the steels. The experimental results revealed that Steel A exhibited superior fatigue resistance compared to Steel B, with fatigue limits of 550 and 500 MPa, respectively. Fracture surface analysis identified non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) comprising the complex MnO-SiO2 as critical sites for crack initiation during cyclic loading in both steels. The HIT results after fatigue indicated significant cyclic softening for Steel A, with HIT values decreasing from 7.7 ± 0.36 to 5.66 ± 0.26 GPa. In contrast, Steel B exhibited slight cyclic hardening, with HIT values increasing from 5.24 ± 0.23 to 5.41 ± 0.31 GPa. Furthermore, the martensitic steel demonstrated superior yield and tensile strengths of 1145 and 1870 MPa, respectively. Analysis of the fatigue behaviour revealed the superior fatigue resistance of martensitic steel. The complex morphology and shape of the NMIs, examined using the 3D microstructure characterisation technique, demonstrated their role as stress concentrators, leading to localised plastic deformation and crack initiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels)
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11 pages, 4440 KiB  
Article
Reverse Hall–Petch Effect of Nano-Bainite in a High-Carbon Silicon-Containing Steel
by Xin Zhang, Zixuan Shao, Muqun Sun, Tianyu Cui, Qingsuo Liu and Jian Han
Metals 2024, 14(11), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14111225 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2777
Abstract
High-strength steels are widely used in various mechanical production and construction industries for their low cost, high strength and high toughness. Among these, bainitic steels have better comprehensive performance relative to martensite and ferrite. In this paper, from the point of view of [...] Read more.
High-strength steels are widely used in various mechanical production and construction industries for their low cost, high strength and high toughness. Among these, bainitic steels have better comprehensive performance relative to martensite and ferrite. In this paper, from the point of view of its microscopic fine structure and mechanical properties, the high-carbon silicon-containing steel Fe-0.99C-1.37Si-0.44Mn-1.04Cr-0.03Ni was austenitized at high temperature after a brief isothermal treatment at 280 °C and is briefly reviewed. We have used EBSD, TEM and 3D-APT to observe a unique transformation in which high-carbon silicon-containing steels form nanostructured bainite with nanometer widths. Intriguingly, as the isothermal duration decreases, the beam bainite width becomes increasingly finer. When the beam bainite width falls below 50 nm, there is a sudden shift in defect type from the conventional edge-type dislocations to a defect characterized by the insertion of a semi-atomic surface in the opposite direction, which leads to different degrees of reduction in the micro- and macro-mechanical properties of high-carbon silicon-containing steels from 1754 MPa to 1667 MPa. This sudden change in the sub-structural properties is typical of the reverse Hall–Petch effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steels)
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