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Coatings
Special Issues
Surface Protection for Metal Materials
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Surface Protection for Metal Materials

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Corrosion, Wear and Erosion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 874

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ye Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Material Engineering, North China University of Technology, Beijing 100144, China
Interests: adhesion and additives; coating and films; TENG; lubricants, especially water-based lubricants and cutting fluid
Dr. Lina Si

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Material Engineering, North China University of Technology, Beijing 100144, China
Interests: nanofriction; molecular dynamics simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal materials are indispensable across diverse industries, from aerospace and automotive engineering to marine infrastructure and renewable energy systems. However, their long-term performance and reliability are perpetually threatened by corrosion, wear, fatigue, and environmental stressors such as humidity, temperature extremes, and chemical exposure. Surface protection technologies not only safeguard these materials but also unlock enhanced functionalities, enabling lighter, stronger, and more sustainable engineering solutions. This Special Issue, entitled “Surface Protection for Metal Materials”, aims to compile cutting-edge research and innovations in coatings, surface engineering, and corrosion mitigation strategies.

Scope and Significance:

The rapid evolution of industrial demands—driven by the need for energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprints, and extended material lifespans—calls for breakthroughs in surface engineering. Traditional approaches, such as electroplating and organic coatings, are being reimagined through nanotechnology, biomimetics, and smart materials. For instance, nanocomposite coatings with self-healing properties or graphene-enhanced barriers exemplify how material science is pushing the boundaries of durability. Meanwhile, advanced surface modification techniques, like laser texturing, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and hybrid plasma treatments, are revolutionizing precision and scalability. This Special Issue will highlight these advancements while fostering dialog on balancing performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

Key Research Themes:

We welcome contributions spanning from fundamental research to industrial applications, including, but not limited to, the following: 

Novel Coating Systems: Development of multifunctional coatings (anti-corrosion, anti-wear, and anti-ice/fouling) using nanomaterials, ceramic–polymer hybrids, or bio-inspired designs (e.g., lotus-effect surfaces).

Surface Engineering Techniques: Innovations in physical/chemical vapor deposition (PVD/CVD), thermal spraying, sol–gel processes, and electrochemical methods (e.g., micro-arc oxidation for lightweight alloys).

Corrosion Mechanisms and Mitigation: Studies on localized corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and environmentally friendly inhibitors (e.g., green chemistry alternatives to chromates).

Smart and Adaptive Coatings: Responsive systems triggered by pH, temperature, or mechanical stress, such as corrosion-sensing coatings or self-lubricating surfaces.

Sustainability-Driven Solutions: Recycling-friendly coatings, low-VOC formulations, and lifecycle assessments of surface protection strategies.

Advanced Characterization and Modeling: In situ/operando microscopy, AI-driven corrosion prediction, and multi-scale computational frameworks for surface behavior analysis.

Dr. Ye Yang
Dr. Lina Si
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • metal coatings
  • surface modification
  • corrosion/wear mechanisms
  • anti-corrosion/wear techniques
  • anti-fouling strategies

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2025 KB  
Article
Analysis of AC and DC Interference in One Buried Gas Pipeline
by Zaifeng Wang, Haishan Liu, Jianqing Liu, Yang Liu, Yu Ding and Jie Zhang
Coatings 2025, 15(9), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091056 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
The complex interference created by several sources for pipelines has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, four types of interference sources were monitored and analyzed. AC voltage monitoring, DC potential monitoring, current density monitoring, and excavation observation and measurement for test pieces [...] Read more.
The complex interference created by several sources for pipelines has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, four types of interference sources were monitored and analyzed. AC voltage monitoring, DC potential monitoring, current density monitoring, and excavation observation and measurement for test pieces and the decouplers were employed to assess the AC/DC interference of one real buried pipeline in situ. The peak value obtained from the second measurement at Pile 33 decreased from 1341.8 V to 143.7 V, indicating that the 1341.8 V in the first measurement may be caused by a sudden grounding of the electrode, while the 143.7 V may be caused by the normal induced voltage. The most negative DC interference potential between the pipeline and the Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode was −11.946 V. The most positive DC interference potential between the pipeline and the Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode was 4.862 V. Pile 3 had a maximum DC current density of 240 mA/m2, and Pile 4 had a maximum AC current density of 0.615 A/m2. After excavating the test piece at Pile 3, the point with maximum DC interference, there were obvious pitting corrosion characteristics, and the corrosion products were mainly γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4. It indicated that the coupling of long-term higher positive DC current density or (DC potential) and short-term higher transient AC voltage or (AC current density) may lead to corrosion. After excavating the test piece at the point with maximum AC interference, namely, Pile 4, there were no significant AC or DC corrosion characteristics. This finding suggested that the combination of long-term low AC current voltage or (low AC current density) and long-term more negative low DC current density or (DC potential) did not result in obvious corrosion. The decouplers in this measurement significantly reduced AC interference above 2 V, but the isolation of transient AC shocks and AC interference below 2 V were not significant. During analysis of AC and DC interference, in addition to considering the value of the interference, the duration time of the interference was also an important factor. Instantaneous sharp peaks cannot represent the long-term average voltage or potential current density. The average value should be used as the main basis for judgement, and the instantaneous value should be used as the secondary basis for judgement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Protection for Metal Materials)
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11 pages, 4974 KB  
Article
Effect of Modulation Period on the Microstructure and Tribological Properties of AlCrTiVNbN/TiSiN Nano Multilayer Films
by Hongjuan Yan, Haoran Wang, Xiaona Li, Zhaoliang Dou and Fengbin Liu
Coatings 2025, 15(7), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15070839 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 386
Abstract
The impact of modulation periods on the microstructure, as well as the tribological and mechanical characteristics of the AlCrTiVNbN/TiSiN nano multilayer films, was investigated. The films were prepared with modulation periods ranging from 4 nm to 7 nm, and their properties were explored [...] Read more.
The impact of modulation periods on the microstructure, as well as the tribological and mechanical characteristics of the AlCrTiVNbN/TiSiN nano multilayer films, was investigated. The films were prepared with modulation periods ranging from 4 nm to 7 nm, and their properties were explored using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nanoindentation, and a tribological tester. All nano multilayer films revealed a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure with a preferred planar direction of (200). As the modulation period increased, the XRD peak moved to higher angles, and the interplanar distance decreased. Also, the mechanical properties deteriorated, and the COF rose monotonically as a result. The nano multilayer film with a modulation period equal to 4 nm exhibited a smooth surface with minimal small particles, the highest hardness of 15.51 ± 0.16 GPa and elastic modulus of 182.89 ± 2.38 GPa, the highest values for the ratios of H/E and H3/E2, the lowest average friction coefficient of 0.73, and a wear rate equal to (8.2 9 ± 0.18) × 10−8 mm3·N−1·m−1. The improvement in the properties of the film was ascribed to the coherent growth and alternating stress field between the AlCrTiVNbN and TiSiN layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Protection for Metal Materials)
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