Chromium-based coatings are of interest for applications in harsh environments due to their high hardness and excellent resistance to corrosion. However, coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering often exhibit columnar microstructure which can compromise their performance by promoting porosity and reducing mechanical integrity. In this work, we present an approach to overcome this limitation by alloying Cr with Nb and N, forming (Cr1-xNbx)Ny films. Increasing Nb content in Cr1-xNbx films (0.19 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) led to an X-ray amorphous microstructure, confirmed by X-ray diffractometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, while hardness remains ∼8 to 11 GPa regardless of Nb content. Adding N to Nb-containing films (0.19 < x < 0.55) produced a nanocrystalline, denser microstructure with reduced column width, resulting in a ∼66 % higher hardness (∼15 GPa) than the metallic films. Electrochemical measurements show enhanced passivity of Nb-containing coatings above 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, attributed to the suppression of soluble Cr6+ species. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that Nb2O5 could oxidize soluble species in the electrolyte forming NbO2 on the surface. These findings show how Nb and N additions can tailor the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of (Cr1-xNbx)Ny films.
铬基涂层由于其高硬度和优异的耐腐蚀性而在恶劣环境中应用。然而,磁控溅射沉积的涂层通常呈现柱状微观结构,这可能会通过增加孔隙率和降低机械完整性而影响其性能。在这项工作中,我们提出了一种克服这一限制的方法,通过将Cr与Nb和N合金化,形成(Cr1-xNbx)Ny薄膜。通过x射线衍射和高分辨率透射电镜证实,增加Cr1-xNbx薄膜中Nb含量(0.19≤x≤0.55),导致x射线无定形微观结构,而无论Nb含量如何,硬度保持在~ 8至11 GPa。在含铌薄膜(0.19 < x < 0.55)中添加N,可以产生纳米晶,更致密的微观结构,柱宽减小,导致硬度比金属薄膜高约66%(约15 GPa)。电化学测量表明,与Ag/AgCl相比,1 V以上含nb涂层的钝化性增强,这是由于抑制了可溶性Cr6+物质。x射线光电子能谱结果表明,Nb2O5可以氧化电解质中的可溶性物质,在表面形成NbO2。这些发现表明Nb和N的添加可以改变(Cr1-xNbx)Ny薄膜的微观结构、力学性能和耐腐蚀性。
{"title":"Microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion properties of Cr1-xNbx and (Cr1-xNbx)Ny coatings for harsh-environment applications","authors":"Sagar Jathar , Chaimaa Fikry , Olivier Donzel-Gargand , Sanath Kumar Honnali , Alireza Farhadizadeh , Arnaud le Febvrier , Rebecka Lindblad , Magnus Odén , Leif Nyholm , Per Eklund","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chromium-based coatings are of interest for applications in harsh environments due to their high hardness and excellent resistance to corrosion. However, coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering often exhibit columnar microstructure which can compromise their performance by promoting porosity and reducing mechanical integrity. In this work, we present an approach to overcome this limitation by alloying Cr with Nb and N, forming (Cr<sub>1-x</sub>Nb<sub>x</sub>)N<sub>y</sub> films. Increasing Nb content in Cr<sub>1-x</sub>Nb<sub>x</sub> films (0.19 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) led to an X-ray amorphous microstructure, confirmed by X-ray diffractometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, while hardness remains ∼8 to 11 GPa regardless of Nb content. Adding N to Nb-containing films (0.19 < x < 0.55) produced a nanocrystalline, denser microstructure with reduced column width, resulting in a ∼66 % higher hardness (∼15 GPa) than the metallic films. Electrochemical measurements show enhanced passivity of Nb-containing coatings above 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, attributed to the suppression of soluble Cr<sup>6+</sup> species. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> could oxidize soluble species in the electrolyte forming NbO<sub>2</sub> on the surface. These findings show how Nb and N additions can tailor the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of (Cr<sub>1-x</sub>Nb<sub>x</sub>)N<sub>y</sub> films.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115620"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115549
Lisong Zhu , Fanghui Jia , Hao Liu , Daiyan Zhao , Muyuan Zhou , Sihai Jiao , Haibo Xie , Jian Han , Jingru Yan , Zhengyi Jiang
The pearlite–austenite interface is the primary cause of brittle failure of the Mn8/SS400 bimetal composite. Here, we present new microstructural understandings on this interfacial brittle failure. The transformation-induced stress from pearlite formation, coupled with thermal stress during cooling, generates complex stacking fault (SF) configurations within adjacent austenite grains. Specifically, V-shape, Z-shape, W-shape, and mesh-shape SFs are observed near grain boundaries, while multi-directional stresses in the grain interior promote the formation of multi-layer nanotwins, X-shape, and U-shape SFs. These intricate SF configurations form locking structures that severely restrict plastic deformation and enhance local stress concentration. Consequently, widespread intergranular fracture dominates, accompanied by a few cleavage fractures. These findings reveal a critical microstructural mechanism underlying brittle failure and provide new insights into interface design strategies for improving composite toughness.
{"title":"New understanding on the pearlite-induced brittle failure of bimetal composite interface","authors":"Lisong Zhu , Fanghui Jia , Hao Liu , Daiyan Zhao , Muyuan Zhou , Sihai Jiao , Haibo Xie , Jian Han , Jingru Yan , Zhengyi Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pearlite–austenite interface is the primary cause of brittle failure of the Mn8/SS400 bimetal composite. Here, we present new microstructural understandings on this interfacial brittle failure. The transformation-induced stress from pearlite formation, coupled with thermal stress during cooling, generates complex stacking fault (SF) configurations within adjacent austenite grains. Specifically, V-shape, Z-shape, W-shape, and mesh-shape SFs are observed near grain boundaries, while multi-directional stresses in the grain interior promote the formation of multi-layer nanotwins, X-shape, and U-shape SFs. These intricate SF configurations form locking structures that severely restrict plastic deformation and enhance local stress concentration. Consequently, widespread intergranular fracture dominates, accompanied by a few cleavage fractures. These findings reveal a critical microstructural mechanism underlying brittle failure and provide new insights into interface design strategies for improving composite toughness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115549"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115615
Jianxiong Li , Gil-Ju Na , Yuji Ichikawa , Mostafa Hassani
Extrinsic parameters such as particle size influence the impact-induced bonding behavior of metallic microparticles, with larger particles generally exhibiting lower critical bonding velocities than smaller ones. However, the impact of intrinsic parameters such as particle grain size on impact and bonding behavior for a given particle size remains unclear. In this work, we study this effect using laser-induced microparticle impact tests (LIPIT), where similar-sized Al particles with two distinct initial grain sizes—single-crystal (SC) and polycrystalline (∼4.5 µm grain size)—were impacted onto a SC Al substrate. The results indicate that, although rebound mechanics at low velocities are influenced by the initial grain size, the critical conditions for bonding remain largely unaffected. This finding is counterintuitive, as variations in the initial grain size would be expected to alter material strength and, consequently, the extent of plastic deformation in both the particle and substrate. Instead, we find that extensive impact-induced microstructural evolution near the interface dominates the response, erasing the differences between the two initial states at the critical bonding velocity. This finding is confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) studies, which reveal similar bonding quality and comparable microstructural evolution near the bonded interfaces.
{"title":"Effect of grain size on impact and bonding behavior of metallic microparticles","authors":"Jianxiong Li , Gil-Ju Na , Yuji Ichikawa , Mostafa Hassani","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extrinsic parameters such as particle size influence the impact-induced bonding behavior of metallic microparticles, with larger particles generally exhibiting lower critical bonding velocities than smaller ones. However, the impact of intrinsic parameters such as particle grain size on impact and bonding behavior for a given particle size remains unclear. In this work, we study this effect using laser-induced microparticle impact tests (LIPIT), where similar-sized Al particles with two distinct initial grain sizes—single-crystal (SC) and polycrystalline (∼4.5 µm grain size)—were impacted onto a SC Al substrate. The results indicate that, although rebound mechanics at low velocities are influenced by the initial grain size, the critical conditions for bonding remain largely unaffected. This finding is counterintuitive, as variations in the initial grain size would be expected to alter material strength and, consequently, the extent of plastic deformation in both the particle and substrate. Instead, we find that extensive impact-induced microstructural evolution near the interface dominates the response, erasing the differences between the two initial states at the critical bonding velocity. This finding is confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) studies, which reveal similar bonding quality and comparable microstructural evolution near the bonded interfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115615"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115640
Anastasiia Efremova , Gergő Ballai , Ákos Szamosvölgyi , Imre Szenti , Bence Kutus , János Kiss , András Sápi , Ákos Kukovecz , Zoltán Kónya
The precise design of metal-oxide interfaces in heterogeneous catalysts is crucial for optimizing activity and selectivity in reactions such as ethanol decomposition. In this study, Pt_ZnO_CeO2 composite catalysts were synthesized via atomic layer deposition (ALD) with systematically varied ZnO loadings to investigate the influence of support structure on platinum nucleation, interfacial properties, and catalytic performance. High-resolution TEM, XPS, ICP-MS reveal that ZnO strongly affects Pt growth, leading to non-monotonic trends in nanoparticle size, dispersion, and loading. These structural effects translate into distinct electronic interactions at Pt/CeO2, ZnO/CeO2 and Pt/ZnO interfaces, as reflected by XPS analysis. To probe the catalytic relevance of these interfaces, ethanol decomposition was employed as an interface-sensitive reaction. The results demonstrated that moderate ZnO loading (3–5 cycles) generated a Pt/ZnO/CeO2 interface, that significantly increased ethanol conversion and promoted C1-product formation. At higher ZnO coverage (30 cycles), the catalyst surface was dominated by Pt/ZnO interactions, resulting in reduced C–C bond cleavage activity. These trends were supported by in situ DRIFTS by identifying the suppression of acetate formation and promotion of aldehyde intermediates at Pt-ZnO surfaces. These findings underscore the critical role of interfacial engineering via ALD in modulating catalyst structure, metal-support interactions, and reaction pathways.
{"title":"Interface engineering of Pt–ZnO–CeO2 by atomic layer deposition for advanced applications","authors":"Anastasiia Efremova , Gergő Ballai , Ákos Szamosvölgyi , Imre Szenti , Bence Kutus , János Kiss , András Sápi , Ákos Kukovecz , Zoltán Kónya","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115640","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115640","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The precise design of metal-oxide interfaces in heterogeneous catalysts is crucial for optimizing activity and selectivity in reactions such as ethanol decomposition. In this study, Pt_ZnO_CeO<sub>2</sub> composite catalysts were synthesized via atomic layer deposition (ALD) with systematically varied ZnO loadings to investigate the influence of support structure on platinum nucleation, interfacial properties, and catalytic performance. High-resolution TEM, XPS, ICP-MS reveal that ZnO strongly affects Pt growth, leading to non-monotonic trends in nanoparticle size, dispersion, and loading. These structural effects translate into distinct electronic interactions at Pt/CeO<sub>2</sub>, ZnO/CeO<sub>2</sub> and Pt/ZnO interfaces, as reflected by XPS analysis. To probe the catalytic relevance of these interfaces, ethanol decomposition was employed as an interface-sensitive reaction. The results demonstrated that moderate ZnO loading (3–5 cycles) generated a Pt/ZnO/CeO<sub>2</sub> interface, that significantly increased ethanol conversion and promoted C<sub>1</sub>-product formation. At higher ZnO coverage (30 cycles), the catalyst surface was dominated by Pt/ZnO interactions, resulting in reduced C–C bond cleavage activity. These trends were supported by in situ DRIFTS by identifying the suppression of acetate formation and promotion of aldehyde intermediates at Pt-ZnO surfaces. These findings underscore the critical role of interfacial engineering via ALD in modulating catalyst structure, metal-support interactions, and reaction pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115640"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115613
Dongxu Lee , Naiguang Wei , Jianchun Yang , Hai Yang , Bo Cao , Hongchun Shi , Li Wang , Yuanqing Li
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-synthesized zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a key material for high-performance infrared optical systems. However, the process is prone to Abnormal Cellular Growth defects, which compromise material uniformity and optical performance. This study systematically investigates the formation mechanism and suppression pathways of Abnormal Cellular Growth in CVD ZnS through multiscale experimental analysis and theoretical modeling. Experiments employed high-purity zinc and hydrogen sulfide reacting in a graphite deposition chamber to produce polycrystalline ZnS, followed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-treatment. Results indicate that Abnormal Cellular Growth is primarily driven by interface instability, influenced by temperature gradients, solute segregation, and interfacial energy coupling. Temperature non-uniformity within the deposition chamber and high deposition rates exacerbate solute enrichment, inducing cellular structures. The study further proposes a three-tiered synergistic control strategy—“root-cause prevention, process regulation, and end-of-line treatment”—significantly suppressing defect generation by optimizing substrate conditions, purifying the gas phase environment, and adjusting process parameters and post-treatment. The resulting material exhibits over 70% transmittance in the visible-infrared spectrum with markedly enhanced reliability. This research provides a theoretical framework and practical process pathway for understanding and controlling anomalous CVD ZnS growth, holding significant value for advancing the fabrication of high-performance infrared materials.
{"title":"Mechanism of abnormal cellular growth in CVD-ZnS under multifactorial coupling effects and its hierarchical suppression strategies","authors":"Dongxu Lee , Naiguang Wei , Jianchun Yang , Hai Yang , Bo Cao , Hongchun Shi , Li Wang , Yuanqing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-synthesized zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a key material for high-performance infrared optical systems. However, the process is prone to Abnormal Cellular Growth defects, which compromise material uniformity and optical performance. This study systematically investigates the formation mechanism and suppression pathways of Abnormal Cellular Growth in CVD ZnS through multiscale experimental analysis and theoretical modeling. Experiments employed high-purity zinc and hydrogen sulfide reacting in a graphite deposition chamber to produce polycrystalline ZnS, followed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-treatment. Results indicate that Abnormal Cellular Growth is primarily driven by interface instability, influenced by temperature gradients, solute segregation, and interfacial energy coupling. Temperature non-uniformity within the deposition chamber and high deposition rates exacerbate solute enrichment, inducing cellular structures. The study further proposes a three-tiered synergistic control strategy—“root-cause prevention, process regulation, and end-of-line treatment”—significantly suppressing defect generation by optimizing substrate conditions, purifying the gas phase environment, and adjusting process parameters and post-treatment. The resulting material exhibits over 70% transmittance in the visible-infrared spectrum with markedly enhanced reliability. This research provides a theoretical framework and practical process pathway for understanding and controlling anomalous CVD ZnS growth, holding significant value for advancing the fabrication of high-performance infrared materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115613"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115616
Tim Dreier , Ahmad Mezrab , Abdullah Riaz , Philip Töllner , Armin Springer , Hermann Seitz
Material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX) of ceramics and metals enables fabrication of complex geometries. However, residual stresses during 3D printing cause torsional distortions during post-processing, compromising dimensional accuracy. This study systematically analyses the occurrence and mechanisms of torsional distortion in additively manufactured ceramic and metallic components. Ceramic and metallic feedstocks were selected due to their pronounced differences in thermophysical properties and sintering behavior, including thermal conductivity, binder content, and shrinkage anisotropy, which can influence residual stress development during MEX. The influence of key process parameters such as layer height, printing speed, and printing direction of the print head on torsional distortion is quantified. Experimental results demonstrate that distortions occur in both material systems but can be effectively controlled through printing process optimization. While increasing the layer height leads to a reduction in distortion, changes in printing speed had no significant effect on the degree of deformation. Alternating the printing direction between layers almost completely eliminated deformations, proving to be the most effective strategy across both material systems. These findings provide valuable insights for improving dimensional accuracy in additive manufacturing of highly filled polymers, and offer practical strategies for enhanced dimensional accuracy of final sintered parts.
{"title":"Suppressing torsional deformation in MEX 3D-printed metal and ceramic components via printing process optimization","authors":"Tim Dreier , Ahmad Mezrab , Abdullah Riaz , Philip Töllner , Armin Springer , Hermann Seitz","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX) of ceramics and metals enables fabrication of complex geometries. However, residual stresses during 3D printing cause torsional distortions during post-processing, compromising dimensional accuracy. This study systematically analyses the occurrence and mechanisms of torsional distortion in additively manufactured ceramic and metallic components. Ceramic and metallic feedstocks were selected due to their pronounced differences in thermophysical properties and sintering behavior, including thermal conductivity, binder content, and shrinkage anisotropy, which can influence residual stress development during MEX. The influence of key process parameters such as layer height, printing speed, and printing direction of the print head on torsional distortion is quantified. Experimental results demonstrate that distortions occur in both material systems but can be effectively controlled through printing process optimization. While increasing the layer height leads to a reduction in distortion, changes in printing speed had no significant effect on the degree of deformation. Alternating the printing direction between layers almost completely eliminated deformations, proving to be the most effective strategy across both material systems. These findings provide valuable insights for improving dimensional accuracy in additive manufacturing of highly filled polymers, and offer practical strategies for enhanced dimensional accuracy of final sintered parts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115616"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115579
Mohammed Yunus , Rami Alfattani , Turki Alamro
High electrical conductivity materials like copper (Cu) are utilized for resistance welding electrodes and heavy-duty electrical connections, among other things. It is not appropriate for applications requiring high strength and strong wear resistance because of its low mechanical and wear qualities. The study sought to increase Cu’s surface wear resistance and hardness by reinforcing Tungsten (W) and Graphene (Gr) particles by maintaining low electrical resistivity utilizing friction stir processing (FSP) by altering the tool’s traverse speed (TS). To optimize the process parameters, with groove breadth (GB), TS and volume (Vf) % of reinforcement (W, Gr) being the selected parameters. The optical micrographs demonstrated that reinforcement was equally distributed across the treated zone, resulting in an 85% greater hardness than the base metal. Commercial pure Cu was first treated at one rotating speed and different GB, TS and %Vf using single pass FSP. FSP increased wear resistance and hardness by 58%, while there was a minor decline in electrical resistivity (2.3% Ωm) at the 900 rpm–150 mm/min speed, Using single pass FSP, copper-tungsten (Cu-W) and copper-graphene (Cu-Gr) composites were made in the second phase to create Cu surface composites with good electrical resistivity and strength. Cu-W and Cu-Gr composites showed 130% and 64% increases in hardness. The composites’ wear rate was reduced yet their electrical resistivity (3.3% Ωm) was simply pacified by rise.
{"title":"Comparison of pure Cu and Cu friction stirred with W and Gr reinforcements for wear strength and hardness under its varying parameters maintaining low electrical resistivity","authors":"Mohammed Yunus , Rami Alfattani , Turki Alamro","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High electrical conductivity materials like copper (Cu) are utilized for resistance welding electrodes and heavy-duty electrical connections, among other things. It is not appropriate for applications requiring high strength and strong wear resistance because of its low mechanical and wear qualities. The study sought to increase Cu’s surface wear resistance and hardness by reinforcing Tungsten (W) and Graphene (Gr) particles by maintaining low electrical resistivity utilizing friction stir processing (FSP) by altering the tool’s traverse speed (TS). To optimize the process parameters, with groove breadth (GB), TS and volume (Vf) % of reinforcement (W, Gr) being the selected parameters. The optical micrographs demonstrated that reinforcement was equally distributed across the treated zone, resulting in an 85% greater hardness than the base metal. Commercial pure Cu was first treated at one rotating speed and different GB, TS and %Vf using single pass FSP. FSP increased wear resistance and hardness by 58%, while there was a minor decline in electrical resistivity (2.3% Ωm) at the 900 rpm–150 mm/min speed, Using single pass FSP, copper-tungsten (Cu-W) and copper-graphene (Cu-Gr) composites were made in the second phase to create Cu surface composites with good electrical resistivity and strength. Cu-W and Cu-Gr composites showed 130% and 64% increases in hardness. The composites’ wear rate was reduced yet their electrical resistivity (3.3% Ωm) was simply pacified by rise.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115579"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115547
James Hanagan , Nicole Person , Daniel Salas , Marshall Allen , Wenle Xu , Daniel Lewis , Cafer Acemi , Brady Butler , James D. Paramore , George M. Pharr , Ibrahim Karaman , Raymundo Arróyave
Whereas compositionally graded alloys (CGAs) are often proposed for use in structural components where the combination of alloys within a single part can substantially improve performance, this work proposes and demonstrates the rapid design, synthesis, and characterization of CGAs for the purpose of alloy space exploration. To illustrate this, a composition gradient in the CoCrFeNi alloy space was planned between the maximum and minimum stacking fault energy (SFE) predicted by an existing state-of-the-art machine learning model. One of the goals of this study was to investigate the applicability of this model across a large range of output values and compositions. The compositional gradient path was designed to be monotonic in the SFE and to avoid regions that did not meet constraints predicted via CALculation of PHase Diagrams (CALPHAD). Compositions were selected to produce a linear gradient in SFE and were built using laser directed energy deposition (L-DED) with elemental powders. The resulting gradient was characterized for microstructure and mechanical properties, including hardness, elastic modulus, and strain rate sensitivity. More broadly, the results of this investigation demonstrate the ability of the methods employed to expose blind spots in alloy models and gain knowledge about alloy design spaces in a high-throughput manner.
{"title":"Compositionally grading alloy stacking fault energy using autonomous path planning and additive manufacturing with elemental powders","authors":"James Hanagan , Nicole Person , Daniel Salas , Marshall Allen , Wenle Xu , Daniel Lewis , Cafer Acemi , Brady Butler , James D. Paramore , George M. Pharr , Ibrahim Karaman , Raymundo Arróyave","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Whereas compositionally graded alloys (CGAs) are often proposed for use in structural components where the combination of alloys within a single part can substantially improve performance, this work proposes and demonstrates the rapid design, synthesis, and characterization of CGAs for the purpose of alloy space exploration. To illustrate this, a composition gradient in the CoCrFeNi alloy space was planned between the maximum and minimum stacking fault energy (SFE) predicted by an existing state-of-the-art machine learning model. One of the goals of this study was to investigate the applicability of this model across a large range of output values and compositions. The compositional gradient path was designed to be monotonic in the SFE and to avoid regions that did not meet constraints predicted via CALculation of PHase Diagrams (CALPHAD). Compositions were selected to produce a linear gradient in SFE and were built using laser directed energy deposition (L-DED) with elemental powders. The resulting gradient was characterized for microstructure and mechanical properties, including hardness, elastic modulus, and strain rate sensitivity. More broadly, the results of this investigation demonstrate the ability of the methods employed to expose blind spots in alloy models and gain knowledge about alloy design spaces in a high-throughput manner.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115547"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115588
Mingzhi Yao , Penghuan Wang , Senlin Wang , Minzheng Zhu , Mingkai Tang
Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures face challenges in balancing lightweighting with mechanical performance. This study proposes a multi-objective field-driven design strategy. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology, we fabricated multi-layer lattice structures from 316 L stainless steel, including isotropic (IWP-IWP) and anisotropic (IWP-D) configurations. Through quasi-static compression experiments, finite element simulations, and theoretical predictions, their compressive behavior, energy absorption characteristics, and deformation mechanisms were systematically investigated. Results demonstrate that multi-layer structures exhibit significant performance enhancements over primary structures at equivalent densities. Specifically, the heterogeneous IWP-D-21% structure achieved maximum increases of 57.46% and 64.72% in yield strength and elastic modulus, respectively. While the IWP-IWP-27% structure achieved maximum increases of 76.11% and 59.87% in plateau stress and energy absorption per unit volume, respectively. The deformation mechanisms differ markedly: IWP-IWP exhibits “drum-shaped” deformation, while IWP-D demonstrates uniform overall deformation. The established finite element model based on Johnson-Cook constitutive mechanics accurately predicts mechanical properties with an error below 9.82%. This strategy opens new avenues for designing high-performance multifunctional lattice structures in fields such as aerospace critical load-bearing components.
{"title":"Multi-objective field-based collaborative design of multi-layer IWP lattice enhancement mechanisms and mechanical properties","authors":"Mingzhi Yao , Penghuan Wang , Senlin Wang , Minzheng Zhu , Mingkai Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures face challenges in balancing lightweighting with mechanical performance. This study proposes a multi-objective field-driven design strategy. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology, we fabricated multi-layer lattice structures from 316 L stainless steel, including isotropic (IWP-IWP) and anisotropic (IWP-D) configurations. Through quasi-static compression experiments, finite element simulations, and theoretical predictions, their compressive behavior, energy absorption characteristics, and deformation mechanisms were systematically investigated. Results demonstrate that multi-layer structures exhibit significant performance enhancements over primary structures at equivalent densities. Specifically, the heterogeneous IWP-D-21% structure achieved maximum increases of 57.46% and 64.72% in yield strength and elastic modulus, respectively. While the IWP-IWP-27% structure achieved maximum increases of 76.11% and 59.87% in plateau stress and energy absorption per unit volume, respectively. The deformation mechanisms differ markedly: IWP-IWP exhibits “drum-shaped” deformation, while IWP-D demonstrates uniform overall deformation. The established finite element model based on Johnson-Cook constitutive mechanics accurately predicts mechanical properties with an error below 9.82%. This strategy opens new avenues for designing high-performance multifunctional lattice structures in fields such as aerospace critical load-bearing components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115588"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets are crucial for high-performance applications, yet their fabrication by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is limited by defects, microstructural instability, and degradation of magnetic properties. This work examines printability, microstructure evolution, and defect formation in two Nd-rich gas-atomized Nd–Fe–B powders (Alloy A and Alloy B) as a function of laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) reveals that Alloy A consistently achieves > 99% relative density but attains a maximum coercivity of 0.58 kOe, whereas a specific processing condition for Alloy B reaches ∼99.99% density with a coercivity of 0.49 kOe at higher energy input. These results demonstrate that the optimal LPBF processing window is strongly composition dependent, and the resulting insights provide practical guidelines for tailoring process parameters to improve the performance and reliability of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets.
{"title":"LPBF-processed high-density Nd-Fe-B Magnets: From gas atomized powders","authors":"Sudha Krishnan , Qilin Guo , Balamurugan Balasubramanian , Jeffrey E. Shield","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets are crucial for high-performance applications, yet their fabrication by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is limited by defects, microstructural instability, and degradation of magnetic properties. This work examines printability, microstructure evolution, and defect formation in two Nd-rich gas-atomized Nd–Fe–B powders (Alloy A and Alloy B) as a function of laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) reveals that Alloy A consistently achieves > 99% relative density but attains a maximum coercivity of 0.58 kOe, whereas a specific processing condition for Alloy B reaches ∼99.99% density with a coercivity of 0.49 kOe at higher energy input. These results demonstrate that the optimal LPBF processing window is strongly composition dependent, and the resulting insights provide practical guidelines for tailoring process parameters to improve the performance and reliability of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115610"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146186059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}