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 86
Special Issue Editors
Interests: adhesion and additives; coating and films; TENG; lubricants, especially water-based lubricants and cutting fluid
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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