Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering

 

Special issue on: "Micromachining Systems and Tailored Surfaces"

Guest Editors: Dr Massimiliano Barletta and Dr Riccardo Polini, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Italy

The role of finishing and micromachining processes as techniques for removal of burrs, developing edge contour, and smoothing and polishing parts has been well established and documented for many years. These processes have been used in a wide variety of part applications to promote safer part handling (by attenuation of sharp part edges), improve the fit and function of parts when assembled, and produce smooth, even microfinished surfaces to meet either functional or aesthetic criteria or specifications.

In contrast, only in the last years, processes for developing specific edge, special surface texture patterns and/or tailored surface conditions on components are widely spreading in industries as diverse as the jewellery, dental, and medical implant industries on up through the automotive and aerospace industries. Accordingly, less well known and less clearly understood is the role that specialised variants of micromachining and finishing technologies can engage in extending the service life and in specialising the performance of critical support components or tools in highly demanding manufacturing or operational applications. Besides, many doubts and uncertainties still affect the understanding of basic concepts as well as of most of the leading processes mechanisms.

This is thus the context in which scientists have always been moving to improve standard micromachining techniques and define new methods to tailor parts surface conditions so as to enhance their performance. An emergent journal as IJSurfSE would not be complete without a depiction of the present status of micromachining technologies and their applications. So, the purpose of this special issue is to present a collection of examples illustrating the more recent and unprecedented developments of surface micromachining technologies and their applications to surface science research. To serve as a useful forum to discuss the capabilities and limitations of the techniques, the scope of this special issue is to be as broad as possible, covering all relevant aspects of micromachining as well as of the definition of tailored and functionalised surfaces.

Subject Coverage
Topics covered by this special issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conventional micromachining systems (common micromachining, microgrinding, mass finishing, etc);
• Advanced micromachining systems (electron beam, ion beam, laser beam, electropolishing, ultrasonic machining, etc)
• Finishing and superfinishing (lapping, honing, electrochemical grinding, fluidized bed machining, etc)
• Development of tailored surface and coatings (surface pre-treatments and preparation, functionalised surfaces, directionalised surface texture patterns, special surfaces, etc)
• Special tools and tool coating processes (PVD, direct CVD coating, brazing, etc)
• Processing of high strength materials (high strength metal alloys, metal matrix composite, graphite, ceramics, cermets, etc)
• Theory and modelling of micromachining (analytical and numerical model, finite element model, application of artificial intelligence techniques and expert systems, etc)

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere

All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on the Author Guidelines page

Important Dates

Submission: 30 June 2007

Decision: 31 August 2007

Revised manuscripts: 30 September 2007