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We present a brief review of the microstructures and mechanical properties of selected metallic alloys processed by additive manufacturing (AM). Three different alloys, covering a large range of technology readiness levels, are selected to illustrate particular microstructural features developed by AM and clarify the engineering paradigm relating process-microstructure-property. With Ti-6Al-4V the emphasis is placed on the formation of metallurgical defects and microstructures induced by AM and their role on mechanical properties. The effects of the large in-built dislocation density, surface roughness and build atmosphere on mechanical and damage properties are discussed using steels. The impact of rapid solidification inherent to AM on phase selection is highlighted for high-entropy alloys. Using property maps, published mechanical properties of additive manufactured alloys are graphically summarized and compared to conventionally processed counterparts.

Electronic products are evolving towards miniaturization, high integration, and multi-function, which undoubtedly puts forward higher requirements for the reliability of solder joints in electronic packaging. Approximately 70% of failure in electronic devices originates during the packaging process, mostly due to the failure of solder joints. With the improvement of environmental protection awareness, lead-free solder joints have become a hot issue in recent years. This paper reviews the research progress on the reliability of lead-free solder joints and discusses the influence of temperature, vibration, tin whisker and electromigration on the reliability of solder joints. In addition, the measures to improve the reliability of solder joints are analyzed according to the problems of solder joints themselves, which provides a further theoretical basis for the study of the reliability of solder joints of electronic products in service.

The anomalous Nernst effect (ANE), one of the thermomagnetic effects studied for a long time, has recently attracted renewed attention. The ANE, which originates from fictitious fields in momentum space, is essential for clarifying the interplay among heat, spin, and charge in magnets. Moreover, compared to the Seebeck effect, it has various benefits for application to high-efficiency energy-harvesting devices as it may provide much more simple lateral structure, higher flexibility, and much lower production cost. In this review, we discuss various topics related to the methods to modulate the ANE for its thermoelectric applications. In addition, we review strategies to design materials to obtain large ANE including Weyl magnets and thermoelectric devices for effectively utilizing the ANE.

With the development of lead-free solders in electronic packaging, Sn-Cu lead-free solder has attracted wide attention due to its excellent comprehensive performance and low cost. In this article, we present recent developments in Sn-Cu lead-free solder alloys. From the microstructure and interfacial structure, the evolution law of the internal structure of solder alloy/solder joint was analysed, and the model and theory describing the formation/growth mechanism of interfacial IMC were introduced. In addition, the effects of alloying, particle strengthening and process methods on the properties of Sn-Cu lead-free solders, including wettability, melting and mechanical properties, were described. Finally, we outline the issues that need to be resolved in the future research. This figure presents the interface morphology of Sn-Cu-Ni-xPr joint. (a) x = 0, (b) x = 0.05wt%. It was clear that with the addition of 0.05% Pr, the thickness of IMC layer decreases significantly and the formation of voids at the interface is inhibited.

The empirical modeling methods are widely used in corrosion behavior analysis. But due to the limited regression ability of conventional algorithms, modeling objects are often limited to individual factors and specific environments. This study proposed a modeling method based on machine learning to simulate the marine atmospheric corrosion behavior of low-alloy steels. The correlations between material, environmental factors and corrosion rate were evaluated, and their influences on the corrosion behavior of steels were analyzed intuitively. By using the selected dominating factors as input variables, an optimized random forest model was established with a high prediction accuracy of corrosion rate (R 2 values, 0.94 and 0.73 to the training set and testing set) to different low-alloy steel samples in several typical marine atmospheric environments. The results demonstrated that machine learning was efficient in corrosion behavior analysis, which usually involves a regression analysis of multiple factors.

Selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing of pure tungsten encounters nearly all intractable difficulties of SLM metals fields due to its intrinsic properties. The key factors, including powder characteristics, layer thickness, and laser parameters of SLM high density tungsten are elucidated and discussed in detail. The main parameters were designed from theoretical calculations prior to the SLM process and experimentally optimized. Pure tungsten products with a density of 19.01 g/cm 3 (98.50% theoretical density) were produced using SLM with the optimized processing parameters. A high density microstructure is formed without significant balling or macrocracks. The formation mechanisms for pores and the densification behaviors are systematically elucidated. Electron backscattered diffraction analysis confirms that the columnar grains stretch across several layers and parallel to the maximum temperature gradient, which can ensure good bonding between the layers. The mechanical properties of the SLM-produced tungsten are comparable to that produced by the conventional fabrication methods, with hardness values exceeding 460 HV 0.05 and an ultimate compressive strength of about 1 GPa. This finding offers new potential applications of refractory metals in additive manufacturing.

A nearly fully dense grade 300 maraging steel was fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing with optimum laser parameters. Different heat treatments were elaborately applied based on the detected phase transformation temperatures. Microstructures, precipitation characteristics, residual stress and properties of the as-fabricated and heat-treated SLM parts were systematically characterized and analyzed. The observed submicron grain size (0.31 μm on average) suggests an extremely high cooling rate up to 10 7  K/s. Massive needle-shaped nanoprecipitates Ni 3 X (X = Ti, Al, Mo) are clearly present in the martensitic matrix, which accounts for the age hardening. The interfacial relations between the precipitate and matrix are revealed by electron microscopy and illustrated in detail. Strengthening mechanism is explained by Orowan bowing mechanism and coherency strain hardening. Building orientation-based mechanical anisotropy, caused by 'layer-wise effect', is also investigated in as-fabricated and heat-treated specimens. The findings reveal that heat treatments not only induce strengthening, but also significantly relieve the residual stress and slightly eliminate the mechanical anisotropy. In addition, comprehensive performance in terms of Charpy impact test, tribological performance, as well as corrosion resistance of the as-fabricated and heat-treated parts are characterized and systematically investigated in comparison with traditionally produced maraging steels as guidance for industry applications.

Modern data analytics was employed to understand and predict physics-based melt-pool formation by fabricating Ni alloy single tracks using powder bed fusion. An extensive database of melt-pool geometries was created, including processing parameters and material characteristics as input features. Correlation analysis provided insight for relationships between process parameters and melt-pools, and enabled the development of meaningful machine learning models via the use of highly correlated features. We successfully demonstrated that data analytics facilitates understanding of the inherent physics and reliable prediction of melt-pool geometries. This approach can serve as a basis for the melt-pool control and process optimization.

The large and vivid field of intermetallic compounds in catalysis is reviewed to identify necessities, strategies and new developments making use of the advantageous catalytic properties of intermetallic compounds. Since recent reviews summarizing contributions in heterogeneous catalysis as well as electrocatalysis are available, this contribution is not aiming at a comprehensive literature review. To introduce the field, first the interesting nature of intermetallic compounds is elaborated - including possibilities as well as requirements to address catalytic questions. Subsequently, this review focuses on exciting developments and example success stories of intermetallic compounds in catalysis. Since many of these are based on recent advances in synthesis, a short overview of synthesis and characterisation is included. Thus, this contribution aims to be an introduction to the newcomer as well as being helpful to the experienced researcher by summarising the different approaches. Selected examples from literature are chosen to illustrate the versatility of intermetallic compounds in heterogeneous catalysis where the emphasis is on developments since the last comprehensive review in the field. The vivid field of intermetallic compounds is regarded from a birds-eye perspective - including addressing catalytic challenges, high-performance materials and synthesis.

Structural rejuvenation in metallic glasses by a thermal process (i.e. through recovery annealing) was investigated experimentally and theoretically for various alloy compositions. An increase in the potential energy, a decrease in the density, and a change in the local structure as well as mechanical softening were observed after thermal rejuvenation. Two parameters, one related to the annealing temperature, T a /T g , and the other related to the cooling rate during the recovery annealing process, V c /V i , were proposed to evaluate the rejuvenation phenomena. A rejuvenation map was constructed using these two parameters. Since the thermal history of metallic glasses is reset above 1.2T g , accompanied by a change in the local structure, it is essential that the condition of T a /T g  ≥ 1.2 is satisfied during annealing. The glassy structure transforms into a more disordered state with the decomposition of icosahedral short-range order within this temperature range. Therefore, a new glassy structure (rejuvenation) depending on the subsequent quenching rate is generated. Partial rejuvenation also occurs in a Zr 55 Al 10 Ni 5 Cu 30 bulk metallic glass when annealing is performed at a low temperature (T a /T g ~ 1.07) followed by rapid cooling. This behavior probably originates from disordering in the weakly bonded (loosely packed) region. This study provides a novel approach to improving the mechanical properties of metallic glasses by controlling their glassy structure.