Journal profile · Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS
ISSN 0263-4368 · Elsevier · ENGLAND · Bimonthly · Founded 1982
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS: CAS Zone 2 · Materials Science (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 4.67; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,310; review about 69 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: about 50%; 546 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 2 of Materials Science in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Advanced materials and composites, Metal and Thin Film Mechanics and Advanced ceramic materials synthesis, together about 49.1% of its articles. Its main subfields are Mechanical Engineering. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials (IJRMHM) publishes original research articles concerned with all aspects of refractory metals and hard materials. Refractory metals are defined as metals with melting points higher than 1800 °C. These are tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, hafnium, and rhenium, as well as many compounds and alloys based thereupon. Hard materials that are included in the scope of this journal are defined as materials with hardness values higher than 1000 kg/mm2, primarily intended for applications as manufacturing tools or wear resistant components in mechanical systems. Thus they encompass carbides, nitrides and borides of metals, and related compounds. A special focus of this journal is put on the family of hardmetals, which is also known as cemented tungsten carbide, and cermets which are based on titanium carbide and carbonitrides with or without a metal binder. Ceramics and superhard materials including diamond and cubic boron nitride may also be accepted provided the subject material is presented as hard materials as defined above.The journal seeks contributions that investigate novel alloy design concepts; studies of the relationships between chemical composition, microstructure, and properties; novel methods of characterization and testing, novel methods of synthesis and processing, especially those that result in improved or novel microstructures, leading in turn to improved properties and novel applications. Articles focus on methods and processes that reduce material and energy consumption, hence the cost of these materials will also be considered.The process technologies may include but are not limited to powder synthesis and production technologies (chemical methods, physical methods such as mechanical ball milling); powder compaction and shaping technologies including die compaction, powder injection molding, and 3D printing; and sintering and consolidation processes such as vacuum sintering, hot isostatic pressing, field assisted sintering, and other advanced hot consolidation techniques. However, manuscripts that focus on processes without a clear explanation on how the process can lead to improved microstructure and properties, or reduction of energy consumption and costs are likely discouraged.This journal also publishes articles dealing with the deposition process and the microstructure and the measurement of selected properties of coatings, provided the coating consists of a material from the groups defined above, and is applied on the surface of a refractory metal or hard material. For eligibility of such articles the material science aspect of the coatings and if applicable their interrelationship with the properties of the coatings is of prime importance. Papers lacking this focus are usually referred to other journals dedicated to surface coating or machining.IJRMHM aims to bridge the gap between pure research and the more practical aspects of production and properties. In that IJMHM will continue to provide a medium linking together material scientists, engineers, designers and manufacturers working in this field.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Editor-in-chief J.L. JohnsonPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 6 in mainland China (about 14%); most named United States 11, Austria 8, Mainland China 6, United Kingdom 3, Sweden 3 (42 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Advanced materials and compositesEngineering27.5%
- Metal and Thin Film MechanicsEngineering11.2%
- Advanced ceramic materials synthesisMaterials Science10.4%
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials ResearchMaterials Science4.9%
- Intermetallics and Advanced Alloy PropertiesEngineering4%
- Tunneling and Rock MechanicsEngineering3.5%
- Aluminum Alloys Composites PropertiesEngineering3.4%
- Fusion materials and technologiesMaterials Science3.3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Materials Science Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Multidisciplinary | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Materials Science Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Multidisciplinary | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Materials Science Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Multidisciplinary | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 4.67LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 4.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 8.1LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 8.1Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.02LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.47LetPub ·
- h-index
- 122OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3,542OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 4.38OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 17%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 13.76%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 524LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 5,989 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 456 | 81 | 306 |
| 2025 | 546 | 90 | 2,264 |
| 2024 | 415 | 66 | 3,631 |
| 2023 | 393 | 98 | 5,756 |
| 2022 | 270 | 47 | 5,358 |
| 2021 | 262 | 48 | 5,995 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
69 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 2.4 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 2.4 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 50%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 6 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 34 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 69 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,310 / EUR 3,100 / GBP 2,650 / JPY 410,540 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 2,830 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare3 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 30,000 words
Article types accepted8, with length limits
- critical reviewCritical Reviews are written by invitation of the IJRMHM Editors, who welcome suggestions for topics.Length not stated
- letter to the editorLetters to the Editor are the medium for the discussion and / or exchange of opinions regarding: • material published in IJRMHM or in other publications • gener…Length not stated
- original paperOriginal Papers describe a highly significant advancement in the field of refractory metals or hard materials. All papers are judged usually by two members of t…figures and tables ≤ 6 · references ≤ 30
- original papersOriginal Papers describe a highly significant advancement in the field of refractory metals or hard materials.Length not stated
- short communicationShort Communications are urgent communications of important preliminary results that are very original, of high interest and likely to have a significant impact…figures and tables ≤ 3
- short communicationsShort Communications are urgent communications of important preliminary results that are very original, of high interest and likely to have a significant impact…Length not stated
- technical noteTechnical Notes describe noteworthy improvements, significant novel applications, or practical solutions to problems in an (established) technological procedure…figures and tables ≤ 3
- technical notesTechnical Notes describe noteworthy improvements, significant novel applications, or practical solutions to problems in an (established) technological procedure…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members contributed to the work; group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. Model summary
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy. Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process; submissions initially assessed by editors; if suitable, sent to a minimum of two reviewers; editors make the decision; editors not involved in decisions about papers they have written themselves, written by family members or colleagues, or relating to products or se Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed per Elsevier's article sharing policy and does not count as prior publication; free preprint posting service on SSRN offered; during submission authors can choose to post the manuscript on SSRN, made publicly available once it passes the journal's initial desk review; postin Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1982
- ISSN
- 0263-4368
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS
What CAS zone is INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS is in Zone 2 of Materials Science, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Materials Science, Multidisciplinary / Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Materials Science. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.67; CiteScore 8.1, h-index 122.
How long does peer review take at INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS?
The publisher reports about 69 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 2.4 months; the community-reported acceptance is “about 50%”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Manuscript length: ≤ 30,000 words. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS based?
Of the 42 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 6 (about 14%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (11), Austria (8) and Mainland China (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS open access, and what is the APC?
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,310.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .