Acta Materialia

Acta Materialia. It is a premier peer-reviewed scientific journal covering fundamental research in the multidisciplinary field of materials science and engineering. Published by Elsevier, the journal focuses on the relationships between the processing, structure, and properties of materials, with an emphasis on metallic, ceramic, and polymeric systems. It is renowned for publishing high-impact original research and is considered one of the most authoritative publications in its discipline.

History and scope

The journal was established in 1996, succeeding the earlier publication Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia. Its founding was driven by the need for a publication that could encompass the rapidly expanding and interdisciplinary nature of modern materials science, moving beyond the more metallurgy-focused scope of its predecessor. The scope of the journal is broad, encompassing the synthesis, processing, characterization, and properties of materials, with a strong emphasis on fundamental understanding and theoretical modeling. Key areas of research include phase transformations, mechanical properties, defects in crystals, nanomaterials, and the development of advanced materials for applications in sectors like aerospace, energy, and electronics. The founding editor-in-chief was John P. Hirth, a prominent figure in the field of materials physics.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is extensively abstracted and indexed in major scientific databases, ensuring wide dissemination of its research. It is covered by services including Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Service, and Inspec. These indexing services are crucial for researchers at institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Max Planck Institute to discover relevant literature. Its articles are routinely cited in other high-impact journals such as Nature Materials and Progress in Materials Science. The consistent inclusion in these databases underlines the journal's role as a core resource for the global materials engineering community and contributes significantly to its impact factor.

Editorial board and peer review

The journal is overseen by an international editorial board composed of leading scientists from prestigious institutions worldwide. The current editor-in-chief is Christopher A. Schuh of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The board includes experts from organizations such as University of Cambridge, Tohoku University, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The peer-review process is rigorous and double-anonymous, designed to uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity and novelty. This meticulous review system, managed through the Elsevier editorial system, ensures that published work represents significant advancements in understanding phenomena like dislocation dynamics or grain boundary engineering, maintaining the journal's reputation for excellence.

Impact and influence

*Acta Materialia* consistently ranks among the top journals in its category. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it has maintained a high impact factor, often exceeding 9.0, reflecting its influence within the metallurgy and materials science communities. Publishing in the journal is considered a mark of prestige for researchers at laboratories like Oak Ridge National Laboratory or Fraunhofer Society. Its articles are frequently cited in foundational reviews and textbooks, shaping the direction of research in areas from high-entropy alloys to additive manufacturing. The journal's influence extends to guiding research funding priorities at agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the European Research Council.

Related publications

The journal is part of a family of related publications from Elsevier that cater to specific sub-disciplines within materials research. Its immediate predecessor was Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia. Closely associated titles include Scripta Materialia, which publishes shorter communications, and Acta Biomaterialia, which focuses on biological and biomedical materials. Other journals in this ecosystem include Materials Science and Engineering: A, which emphasizes mechanical properties, and Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Together, these publications, along with competitors like Materials Today and Advanced Materials, form the core literature for researchers investigating the structure–property relationships in advanced materials.

Category:Elsevier academic journals Category:Materials science journals Category:English-language journals Category:Seminonthly journals Category:Publications established in 1996