國際難熔金屬與硬材料雜志(IJRMHM)發表了有關難熔金屬與硬材料各方面的原創研究文章。難熔金屬是指熔點大于1800℃的金屬。它們是鎢、鉬、鉻、鉭、鈮、鉿和錸，以及以此為基礎的許多化合物和合金。本雜志范圍內的硬材料定義為硬度值大于1000 kg/mm2的材料，主要用于制造工具或機械系統中的耐磨部件。因此，它們包括金屬的碳化物、氮化物和硼化物以及相關化合物。本雜志特別關注硬質合金系列，也被稱為硬質合金鎢，以及基于碳化鈦和碳氮化物的金屬陶瓷，無論有沒有金屬粘結劑。陶瓷和超硬材料，包括金剛石和立方氮化硼也可以接受，只要主題材料是上述定義的硬材料。該雜志尋求研究新的合金設計概念的貢獻；化學成分、微觀結構和性能之間關系的研究；新穎的表征和測試方法，新穎的合成和加工方法，特別是那些導致改進或新穎的微觀結構的方法，從而改進性能和新穎的應用。文章的重點是方法和過程，以減少材料和能源消耗，因此這些材料的成本也將被考慮。工藝技術可以包括但不限于粉末合成和生產技術(化學方法、物理方法如機械球磨)；粉末壓實成型技術，包括模具壓實、粉末注射成型、3D打印；以及燒結固結工藝如真空燒結、熱等靜壓燒結、現場輔助燒結等先進的熱固結技術。然而，那些只關注過程而沒有明確說明過程如何能改善微觀結構和性能，或減少能源消耗和成本的手稿可能會受到勸阻。如果涂層由上述定義的一種材料組成，并應用于難熔金屬或硬材料的表面，本雜志還發表有關沉積過程、涂層的微觀結構和選定性能的測量的文章。對于這些產品的合格性，涂層的材料科學方面以及如果適用，它們與涂層性能的相互關系是最重要的。缺乏這一重點的論文通常被引用到其他致力于表面涂層或機械加工的期刊上。IJRMHM旨在填補純研究與生產和性能的更實際方面之間的差距。在這方面，IJMHM將繼續為材料科學家、工程師、設計師和制造商提供一個媒介。

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.