Hao Xu | Metal Forming | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Hao Xu | Metal Forming | Research Excellence Award

Nanjing University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Hao Xu is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, where his research centers on phase transformation and hot working of metallic and intermetallic materials. He obtained his B.S. from Northeastern University  and earned his Ph.D. in Materials Processing Engineering from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences . Over his career, he has authored more than  high-quality journal articles  published in leading outlets such as Journal of Materials Science & Technology and Corrosion Science and holds over  invention patents. He has led more than research projects as Principal Investigator, demonstrating strong leadership in both fundamental and applied research. In the editorial sphere, he has served as Guest Editor for the special issue “Processing, Structure and Properties of TiAl Alloys” in Crystals and as Associate Editor for the special topic “Intermetallic Compounds” in Precision Forming Engineering. According to his Google Scholar profile, his h-index is 3, with 32 citations than documents 7. His contributions advance the understanding of intermetallic processing, with important implications for lightweight, high-performance materials, and he continues to mentor students and drive innovation in the field.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Xu, H., Li, X. B., Xing, W. W., Shu, L., Ma, Y. C., & Liu, K. (2018). Phase transformation behavior of a Mn-containing β-solidifying γ-TiAl alloy during continuous cooling. Intermetallics, 99, 51–58.

Li, X., Xu, H., Xing, W., Chen, B., Ma, Y., & Liu, K. (2018). Phase transformation behavior of a β-solidifying γ-TiAl-based alloy from different phase regions with various cooling methods. Metals, 8(9), 731.

Xu, H., Li, X. B., Xing, W. W., Shu, L., Ma, Y. C., & Liu, K. (2018). Processing map and hot working mechanism of as-cast Ti–42Al–5Mn alloy. Advanced Engineering Materials, 20(6), 1701059.

Xu, H., Li, X. B., Xing, W. W., Shu, L., Ma, Y. C., & Liu, K. (2019). Solidification pathway and phase transformation behavior in a β-solidified γ-TiAl based alloy. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 35(11), 2652–2657.

Liu, X., Song, L., Stark, A., Lorenz, U., He, Z., Lin, J., Pyczak, F., & Zhang, T. (2022). Deformation and phase transformation behaviors of a high Nb-containing TiAl alloy compressed at intermediate temperatures. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 102, 89–96.

Sangam Sangral | Mechanical Metallurgy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sangam Sangral | Mechanical Metallurgy | Best Researcher Award

University of Palermo | Italy

Dr. Sangam Sangral is a researcher at the University of Palermo, Italy, specializing in materials processing, fatigue analysis, and additive manufacturing. He holds degrees in Mechanical and Materials Engineering, with a strong foundation in metallurgical research. His doctoral work focused on enhancing the fretting fatigue strength of titanium, nickel-based superalloys, and magnesium alloys using friction stir processing, complemented by international research collaboration in Japan. His contributions include studies on fatigue behavior, microstructural evolution, and additive manufacturing of smart and functional alloys such as Nitinol. He has completed several research projects on naval steel, metal matrix composites, and WAAM-based fabrication of alloys, demonstrating expertise in structure–property correlation and advanced material design. Dr. Sangral has published 9 documents in reputed SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, with 42 citations and an h-index of 5, reflecting his growing impact in materials engineering research. His work integrates experimental investigations with computational modeling, promoting sustainable and high-performance materials for industrial and biomedical applications. Through continuous innovation, he aims to advance the fields of fatigue, additive manufacturing, and materials characterization to support next-generation engineering solutions.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Sangral, S., & Sharma, R. (2022). Enhancement of fretting fatigue resistance in titanium alloys through friction stir processing. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 31(8), 5204–5216.

Sangral, S., & Kumar, A. (2021). Microstructure and fatigue behavior of high-strength naval steel under low cycle loading conditions. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45, 3780–3788.

Sangral, S., & Rao, S. (2023). Influence of reinforced particles on fatigue life of Ni-based superalloys processed via friction stir technique. International Journal of Fatigue, 167, 107361.

Sangral, S., & Gupta, V. (2022). Fabrication and mechanical characterization of aluminum–steel joints using wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) with CMT process. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 79, 995–1005.

Sangral, S., & Tanaka, H. (2024). Additive manufacturing of Nitinol alloys for biomedical applications: Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 889, 145674.