The production of clean steel and superalloy is a cornerstone of modern metallurgy, driven by the increasing demands encompassing high speed train/rail, high precision molds/tools, aerospace engine, artificial tissue/organs, etc. These advanced materials require stringent control over carbon content, non-metallic inclusion levels, and microstructure, which in turn place extreme demands on the refractory materials used in their smelting and processing. Refractories, as critical components in high-temperature metallurgical processes, must exhibit exceptional thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability to withstand the harsh conditions of steelmaking and alloy production. In recent years, a series of achievements on refractories for metal smelting and casting have emerged, especially in the fields of micro/nano structure design on low-carbon composite refractories for smelting and casting of low carbon/carbon steel, interaction between refractories and molten slag/steel/superalloy, rare earth oxide based ceramic crucible, porous refractories for filtration of molten metal in process of casting, composite powders with nanostructure for low carbon refractories, multiscale interface design for strengthening/toughening of functional refractory elements, etc. This special issue on advanced refractories for smelting of clean steel and superalloy aims to encourage researchers and provide them with a platform to publish their cutting-edge outcomes and highlight possible future directions. High-quality original paper and review articles are welcome for submission.
Accordingly, we plan to organize a topic collection on "Micro/Nano Structure Design and Enhanced Performance of Refractories for Smelting of Clean Steel and High-temperature Alloy" in 2025 (Regular Issue) in Journal of Iron and Steel Research International. Prof. Dong-hai Ding from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Prof. En-hui Wang from University of Science and Technology Beijing, Prof. Hao Liu and Prof. Ya-jie Dai from Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Prof. Guang-yao Chen from Shanghai University and Prof. Jun-tong Huang from Nanchang Hangkong University are invited to serve as the guest editors of this special issue. It is our pleasure to invite you to submit original contributions to this special issue.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to the following:
1 Refractories for advanced steel smelting
1.1 In-situ formation of low dimension carbon/ceramic reinforcements in low-carbon composite refractories;
1.2 Fabrication and application of nanocomposite powders;
1.3 Novel carbon resources and modifications of flake graphite;
1.4 Novel non-cement binders for castables and environmentally friendly binders for carbon containing refractories;
1.5 Optimization of oxide refractory aggregates for high performance and energy-saving linings;
1.6 Wetting behavior of molten slag and refractory with special micro/nano structure;
1.7 Collaborative optimization of refractory properties via microstructural design;
1.8 Interaction of complex non-metallic inclusions in special steel with refractories;
1.9 Applied electric/magnetic fields on the reaction between refractories and molten metal/slag;
1.10 Testing, characterization and modeling of mechanical properties and fracture behavior of refractories for advanced steel smelting;
1.11 Refractories for new metallurgical technologies such as ladle refining, nozzle anti-clogging, strip casting, etc.;
1.12 Refractories for new ironmaking technologies such as hydrogen-based shaft furnace and hydrogen plasma smelting reduction;
1.13 Other theories and technologies related to refractory development for advanced steel smelting.
2 Refractories for smelting and casting of superalloy
2.1 Perovskite structure material and rare earth oxide based refractory crucible for smelting and casting of Ti-based alloy;
2.2 Complex phase oxide based refractory crucible for smelting and casting of Ni-based alloy;
2.3 Interfacial reaction between refractories and alloy melts;
2.4 Protective layered/gradient coatings for refractory crucible;
2.5 Other theories and technologies related to refractory development for smelting and casting of superalloy.
All submissions will be subjected to a standard peer review process. Experts, scholars, researchers and technicians in the field of refractories for advanced steel and superalloy smelting are welcome to contribute enthusiastically!
Manuscript submission information:
(1) Submission deadline: October 31, 2025.
(2) The manuscript should be submitted in English and must meet the requirements of “Instruction for Authors” and “Guide for the Preparation of a Manuscript” of the Journal of Iron and Steel Research International. Please indicate “SI: Micro/Nano Structure Design and Enhanced Performance of Refractories for Smelting of Clean Steel and High-temperature Alloy”.
(3) Please use the online submission system of the Journal of Iron and Steel Research International (website: www.editorialmanager.com/isri) to submit the full text.
(4) If you have any questions for electronic submission, please contact the Editorial Official. (E-mail: gtyjxb-e@163.com; TEL: +86-10-62182295)
(5) Schedule for issue: 2026, Vol. 32, No. 1.
You can also submit your manuscript through this link: https://www.springer.com/journal/42243
