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Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings
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Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 2165

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Likai Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Interests: advanced manufacturing; architected materials; multifunctional materials; composite materials
Dr. Zhijie Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou 311115, China
Interests: ultrahigh temperature ceramics; coatings; CMAS corrosion
Dr. Yuyang Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Interests: metal matrix composites; strengthening mechanism; corrosion; Mg alloy; Al alloy
Dr. Chen Yin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Data Science, College of Computing, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
Interests: signal processing; data analytics; fault diagnosis; health prognostic; deep learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Haimin Zhai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Interests: corrosion resistance of metal/ceramic coatings on light metal surfaces; the toughening mechanism of amorphous materials and their composites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Materials engineering is experiencing a paradigm shift, moving beyond the constraints of conventional monolithic materials. This transformation is propelled by two convergent frontiers: architected materials, in which precise geometric design across micro- and macro-scales yields unprecedented mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties; and multifunctional coatings, which endow surfaces with tailored combinations of characteristics such as wear resistance, corrosion inhibition, thermal management, and bioactivity. Central to the realization of these sophisticated material systems is advanced manufacturing. Technologies including additive manufacturing, freeze casting, directed energy deposition, cold spray, and hybrid processes now provide unparalleled control over material composition, microstructure, and geometry—capabilities that were previously unattainable.

This Special Issue, “Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings,” aims to showcase cutting-edge research and review articles exploring the synergistic relationship between innovative fabrication techniques and the development of next-generation materials. We invite contributions that demonstrate how advanced manufacturing enables the digital design, precise fabrication, and performance validation of materials with engineered architectures and multifunctional surface properties. The scope spans fundamental process development, novel material systems, computational design and modeling, and experimental characterization of properties and performance for targeted applications.

By bringing together research from materials science, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing disciplines, this collection will highlight the transformative potential of integrating design, materials, and process innovation to create the high-performance materials of the future. In particular, topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Advanced Manufacturing Processes for Diverse Materials: Novel fabrication techniques (e.g., freeze casting, ultrafast sintering, 3D printing) for ceramics, metals, and composites.

(2) Advanced Deposition Techniques for Surface Engineering: Coating-specific processes (e.g., cold spray, laser cladding) for creating multifunctional surfaces.

(3) Design and Fabrication of Bio-inspired and Metamaterial Structures: Design, modeling, and fabrication of nature-inspired or engineered architectures for tailored properties.

(4) Multi-material and Functionally Graded Additive Manufacturing: Additive manufacturing enabling controlled spatial variation of material composition and properties.

(5) Materials and Coatings for Extreme Environment Applications: Materials and coatings designed to withstand high temperature, corrosion, wear, or erosion.

(6) Interface Science in Hybrid Manufacturing: Fundamental study and engineering of interfaces and bonding in dissimilar material systems.

(7) Process Monitoring, Control, and Digital Twins in Manufacturing: In situ monitoring, real-time control, and digital twins for intelligent manufacturing.

(8) Post-Synthesis Processing for Microstructure and Property Tailoring: Secondary processes (e.g., heat treatment) to tailor final microstructure and properties.

(9) Data-Driven Design and Process Optimization: Computational tools and machine learning for material design and process optimization.

(10) Integrated Design-to-Fabrication Workflows for Architected Materials: Seamless digital workflows from computational design to final fabrication of architected materials.

Dr. Likai Yang
Dr. Zhijie Hu
Dr. Yuyang Gao
Dr. Chen Yin
Dr. Haimin Zhai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coatings
  • advanced manufacturing
  • additive manufacturing
  • architected materials
  • composite materials
  • multifunctional materials
  • bio-inspired design
  • surface engineering mechanical properties
  • machine learning

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 59787 KB  
Article
Compressive Properties of Rammed Earth at Ming Great Wall Sites in Northwest China: Effects of Material Sourcing and Rammed Technology
by Chengrui Ge, Kai Cui, Xiangyu Wen and Pengfei Xu
Coatings 2026, 16(5), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050580 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 228
Abstract
Heritage rammed earth is a special soil material formed by manually selecting and ramming locally available Quaternary surface deposits layer by layer. However, the quantitative influence of material sourcing and rammed technology on the compressive properties of heritage rammed earth remains insufficiently understood, [...] Read more.
Heritage rammed earth is a special soil material formed by manually selecting and ramming locally available Quaternary surface deposits layer by layer. However, the quantitative influence of material sourcing and rammed technology on the compressive properties of heritage rammed earth remains insufficiently understood, which limits the mechanical assessment and conservation planning of rammed earth sites. In this study, undisturbed rammed earth from 15 Ming Great Wall sites in Northwest China was investigated. Field 3D scanning, particle-size analysis, uniaxial compression testing, mesoscopic structural observation, and DEM analysis were combined to evaluate the effects of material characteristics and rammed technology on the compressive properties of heritage rammed earth. The results show clear regional differences in material characteristics and rammed technology parameters across the 15 sites. Across the five occurrence regions from the Extremely Arid Area to the Semi-Humid Area, dry density, silt fraction, curvature coefficient, and ramming pit distribution area ratio generally decreased, whereas clay and colloidal particle fraction, d60, Cu, and rammed modulus generally increased. These variations were accompanied by changes in internal fabric, including aggregate proportion, coordination-number difference, high-stress particle proportion, and force-chain particle proportion. The peak stress and failure strain ranged from 0.48 to 1.01 MPa and from 0.03 to 0.07, respectively. Both parameters showed a decreasing regional trend from the extremely arid area to the semi-humid area, following the sequence: extremely arid area, arid area, semi-arid area, cold and humid area, and semi-humid area. From the Extremely Arid Area to the Semi-Humid Area, the shear failure mode changed from single-fork to mixed double-fork and then to intersecting double-fork. Regression analysis further showed that material and rammed technology parameters were closely related to mesoscopic structural parameters, with R2 values generally greater than 0.75. These findings suggest that the regional differences in compressive behavior were closely associated with variations in material sourcing, rammed technology, internal fabric, and the load-bearing structure of rammed earth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings)
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14 pages, 25039 KB  
Article
Effect of Solution and Aging Treatment on the Tribological Properties of K452 Alloy in a Wide Temperature Range
by Jinfeng Jia, Hanfeng Chen, Yangyang Chen, Rongzhen Xiao, Xiaotian Yang, Likai Yang and Bin Ren
Coatings 2026, 16(5), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050544 - 2 May 2026
Viewed by 301
Abstract
This study focuses on China’s domestically developed K452 alloy. Using Si3N4 ceramic balls as the counterface material, the tribological properties of the K452 alloy were investigated after heat treatment over a wide temperature range (RT–800 °C), and the wear mechanisms [...] Read more.
This study focuses on China’s domestically developed K452 alloy. Using Si3N4 ceramic balls as the counterface material, the tribological properties of the K452 alloy were investigated after heat treatment over a wide temperature range (RT–800 °C), and the wear mechanisms were analyzed. The results show that the heat treatment process enhances the material hardness slightly by promoting the dissolution of the γ′-strengthening phase and the precipitation of the η phase. From RT to 600 °C, the wear rate of the K452 alloy remains at a relatively low level, on the order of 10−6 mm3·m−1·N−1. Compared with the as-cast condition, intermediate treatment exhibits a significant reduction in the wear rate. Compared with traditional processes, it reduces one step of heat treatment. This improvement is attributed to the precipitation of the uniformly fine η phase, along with the re-dissolution of the γ′-strengthening phase. When the testing temperature is raised to 800 °C, the tribological performance of the K452 alloy deteriorates significantly, with the wear rate increasing to the order of 10−5 mm3·m−1·N−1. Microstructural characterization confirms that the in situ formations of dense Cr2O3 and Al2O3 oxide films during friction are the primary mechanism for improved wear resistance from RT to 600 °C. But when the temperature rises to 800 °C, the dynamic equilibrium of the oxide layers is disrupted, leading to oxidative wear becoming the dominant mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings)
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15 pages, 11372 KB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution Mechanism of 4Cr13 Steel During Thermal Deformation
by Junzhao Liu, Zhi Jia, Chi Zhang, Bin Ren, Yanjiang Wang, Zhixin Zhao, Likai Yang and Dekui Mu
Coatings 2026, 16(3), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16030383 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 486
Abstract
To investigate the thermal deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of 4Cr13 steel, and to clarify how deformation enhances its microstructure and properties, hot compression tests were conducted on the material at various deformation temperatures (890 °C, 970 °C, 1050 °C, and 1130 °C) [...] Read more.
To investigate the thermal deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of 4Cr13 steel, and to clarify how deformation enhances its microstructure and properties, hot compression tests were conducted on the material at various deformation temperatures (890 °C, 970 °C, 1050 °C, and 1130 °C) and strain rates (0.1 s−1 and 10 s−1), followed by spheroidizing annealing. The results indicate that thermal deformation significantly refines the final microstructure and improves material properties. With increasing deformation temperature, the carbide count decreases, and recrystallization becomes more extensive. At a deformation temperature of 1130 °C and a strain rate of 10 s−1, the microhardness of the specimen reached a maximum value of 738.85 HV. Furthermore, the thermal deformation process stores considerable strain energy in the material, which acts as the driving force for static recovery and recrystallization during annealing. This promotes the development of a spheroidized, equiaxed grain structure free from distortions, thereby reducing the influence of the microstructural inheritance effect on the martensitic structure after annealing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings)
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19 pages, 9364 KB  
Article
Design of a Novel Surface-Applied Protective Grout with Superior Sulfate Resistance
by Huian Shao, Kai Cui, Xiangpeng Yu, Pengfei Xu and Chengrui Ge
Coatings 2026, 16(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020254 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 517
Abstract
The degradation of building foundations, underground structures, and historical fabrics in sulfate-laden environments poses a persistent threat to the durability and safety of the built environment. Developing effective, sustainable repair materials is of paramount importance. This study presents the development, systematic optimization, and [...] Read more.
The degradation of building foundations, underground structures, and historical fabrics in sulfate-laden environments poses a persistent threat to the durability and safety of the built environment. Developing effective, sustainable repair materials is of paramount importance. This study presents the development, systematic optimization, and performance validation of a novel micro-expansive grout designed for high durability in aggressive sulfate conditions. The grout formulation utilizes industrial by-product fly ash, quicklime, and site-compatible soils, emphasizing sustainability. Nine chemical admixtures were screened for sulfate resistance enhancement. Laboratory experiments rigorously characterized the effects of water-to-solid ratio and admixture dosage on fresh-state properties (fluidity, setting time) and hardened-state performance (volumetric stability). To resolve a multi-objective optimization problem balancing injectability, dimensional compatibility, and cost-effectiveness, an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework combining FAHP, MII, CRITIC, and TOPSIS was employed. This data-driven methodology identified an optimal formulation incorporating 3% disodium hydrogen phosphate (DSP) at a 0.58 water-to-solid ratio. The optimized grout exhibited a flow value of 75 mm, ensuring excellent injectability within the target range (40–120 mm), and an expansion rate of 7.67%, which falls within the safe range (0%–10%) to ensure dimensional compatibility. Accelerated durability tests via cyclic immersion in sodium sulfate solution demonstrated the optimized grout’s exceptional resistance to sulfate attack, retaining approximately 88% of its compressive strength after 15 aggressive cycles. The balanced properties and validated durability indicate strong potential for this grout in demanding repair scenarios. One key example is the repair of fissures in earthen heritage structures, which requires extreme material compatibility and long-term performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Manufacturing for Architected Materials and Multifunctional Coatings)
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