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High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanics of Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 9196

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Dr. Grzegorz Lesiuk

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Department of Mechanics, Material Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: fatigue damage; reliability analysis; fatigue crack growth theory; failure analysis of metal materials; micromechanics of materials; multiscale materials modeling
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Dr. Marek Smaga

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Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
Interests: LCF; HCF; VHCF; metasatbility; microstructure; magnetism; process-microstructure-mechanical and physical properties relationships
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Dr. Krolicka Aleksandra

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Department of Metal Forming, Welding and Metrology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
Interests: materials characterization; high-strength steels; bainite; fracture mechanisms; microstructure-properties relationship; in-use properties of advanced steels
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For several decades, advanced materials and their processes have attracted the attention of researchers and industry professionals. The possibility of industrial implementation considering the High-Performance Applications is also determined by the Fracture & Fracture behavior, Mechanical Properties, Modeling & Optimization of the Advanced Processes of Manufacturing, and the Structure-Properties Relationship that strongly affects the life cycle of Advanced Materials. From industry insight, it is important to develop novel prospects and strategies aimed at designing novel materials and processes, in addition to excellent mechanical properties, characterized by specific properties focused on heavy operating conditions. This Special Issue aims to provide an opportunity for researchers from both academia and industry to share their advances pertinent to the Special Issue “High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes”, which covers the aspects of all features regarding the High-Performance Applications, from modeling new processes and materials, through experimental investigations focused on structure-properties relationship, to validation considering specific operating conditions. Both fundamental insights and practical foresight are greatly welcome in the form of research articles or reviews addressing topics such as simulation and modeling, experimental investigations focused on fatigue and fracture behavior of advanced materials, optimization and design of novel advanced processes, advanced materials behavior during operation, advanced characterization of microstructure, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computation.

Dr. Grzegorz Lesiuk
Dr. Marek Smaga
Dr. Krolicka Aleksandra
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fatigue crack growth
advanced processes of materials
microstructure-properties relationship
advanced steels
fatigue and fracture
simulations of mechanical behaviour

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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16 pages, 6483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of DC Electric Field Direction on Sedimentation Behavior of Colloidal Particles in Water

by Hiroshi Kimura

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061335 - 18 Mar 2025

Viewed by 218

Abstract

Colloidal particles in water exhibit increased sedimentation velocity under a horizontal DC electric field of several V/mm compared to no field. Hollow particles with a lower density than water show an increased ascent velocity with the horizontal electric field. These phenomena suggest that colloidal particles form flocs due to the electric field, known as the Electrically Induced Rapid Separation (ERS) effect. This study investigates, for the first time, the impact of the DC electric field direction on the ERS effect. The electric field was defined as horizontal when the inclination angle θ = 0° and vertical at θ = 90°, covering all inclination angles. Results showed that the ERS effect increased for θ < ~20–30° in both upward and downward directions. However, beyond this range, the ERS effect decreased or disappeared. At larger θ values, convection was observed, significantly improving colloidal particle dispersion stability. Additionally, negatively charged particles were observed to be “repelled” near the negative electrode. This study offers new insights into controlling particle dispersion stability using electric fields and suggests potential applications in colloid and material science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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18 pages, 4795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Low-Temperature Performance Evaluation Indicators of Asphalt Binder Based on the Poker Chip Test

by Meng Guo, Chenlu Sun, Yiqiao Wan and Xiuli Du

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061322 - 17 Mar 2025

Viewed by 252

Abstract

Low-temperature cracking is a primary failure mode of asphalt pavement. The poker chip test provides a straightforward and efficient approach to simulating the film state of asphalt binders in asphalt structures. By measuring the tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain of the binder film, this test can effectively evaluate the cracking resistance and ductility of asphalt binders. Accordingly, this study employed the poker chip test to analyze the evolutions of low-temperature cracking resistance under various aging levels. To ensure the reliability of tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain, a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted between the two indicators and the traditional low-temperature performance evaluation indicators: stiffness modulus, creep rate, and the Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter. The results indicate that the tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt are higher than those of 70# base asphalt at the same aging level. With increasing aging time, the tensile strength of both SBS-modified asphalt and 70# base asphalt increases, while the ultimate tensile strain decreases. Additionally, the tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain are sensitive to changes in asphalt binder types and aging levels. They have a good linear correlation with stiffness modulus and creep rate, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.9. Due to the distinct characteristics represented, the correlation between the two indicators and the G-R parameter is relatively weaker, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.7. The findings of this study demonstrate that tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain are effective indicators for assessing the low-temperature performance of asphalt binders. They can serve as substitute indicators of stiffness modulus and creep rate, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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14 pages, 4060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electric Field-Induced Settling and Flotation of Flocs in Mixed Aqueous Suspensions of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Aluminosilicate Hollow Particles

by Hiroshi Kimura and Mirei Sakakibara

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061289 - 14 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 415

Abstract

When a horizontal electric field is applied, the sedimentation velocity of particles increases, a phenomenon known as Electrically Induced Rapid Separation (ERS). Hollow particles with a lower density than water exhibit an increased flotation velocity under an electric field. This study investigates the ERS effect in mixed suspensions containing particles denser than water and hollow particles with lower density. In the absence of an electric field, the denser particles settle while the hollow particles float, and their behavior is independent of the ratio of hollow particles to the total number of particles (α). However, when a DC electric field of 0.4 V/mm is applied, the behavior becomes dependent on α. For α < ~0.90, all particles sediment, whereas for α > ~0.93, all particles float. This suggests that the electric field induces a co-floc formation between the denser and hollow particles. Additionally, for the first time, a co-floc formation under an electric field was directly observed using a digital microscope. By adjusting α and applying an electric field, it is possible to control the sedimentation, flotation, or stabilization of the particle system. This study provides new insights into electric field-assisted particle separation and highlights its potential applications in colloidal science and materials science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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18 pages, 7002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Pre-Strain on the Course of Energy Dissipation and Durability in Low-Cycle Fatigue

by Stanisław Mroziński, Michał Piotrowski, Władysław Egner and Halina Egner

Materials 2025, 18(4), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040893 - 18 Feb 2025

Viewed by 341

Abstract

The work undertaken in this paper is the comparative analysis of the accumulation of plastic strain energy in the as-received and pre-deformed (overloaded) material states, performed on the example of S420M steel. For this reason, the low-cycle fatigue tests on S420M steel specimens were conducted under controlled deformation conditions, and both as-received (undeformed) and pre-deformed specimens were used in the tests. The results of the low-cycle tests were analyzed in terms of dissipated energy. This study found that pre-straining of S420M steel specimens causes a reduction in the energy of the hysteresis loop at all strain amplitude levels. This results in a slight increase in the fatigue life of pre-strained specimens compared to as-received specimens. Based on the analysis, it was also found that despite the different lifetimes obtained at the same strain amplitude levels, the fatigue characteristics in terms of energy of the as-received and pre-strained samples are statistically the same. Experimental verification of the analytical models used to describe hysteresis loops confirmed their suitability for describing fatigue behavior for specimens made of steel in both the as-received and pre-strained state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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23 pages, 7575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Theoretical and Experimental Studies of the Structural Chameleon EuYCuTe₃

by Anna V. Ruseikina, Maxim V. Grigoriev, Vladimir A. Chernyshev, Evgenii M. Roginskii, Alexander A. Garmonov, Ralf J. C. Locke and Thomas Schleid

Materials 2025, 18(4), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040820 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 494

Abstract

Layered orthorhombic single crystals of EuYCuTe₃ are synthesized using the ampoule method from the elemental precursors taken in the ratio of 1 Eu:1 Y:1 Cu:3 Te by heating up to 1120 K with an excess of CsI as flux. The orthorhombic structure of EuYCuTe₃ is established, and structural parameters are obtained using X-ray diffraction. At ambient conditions, the sample crystallizes in the space group Pnma with the unit cell parameters a = 11.2730(7) Å, b = 4.3214(3) Å, c = 14.3271(9) Å. The structure is composed of vertex-connected [CuTe₄]⁷⁻ tetrahedra, which form chains along the [010] direction, and of edge-connected [YTe₆]⁹⁻ octahedra, which form layers parallel to the (010) plane. The Eu²⁺ cations are found in a capped trigonal prismatic coordination of Te²⁻ anions. The structural phase transition from the α to the β phase is discovered upon heating the sample to 323 K, which comes accompanied with a decrease of [CuTe₄]⁷⁻ tetrahedral distortion. The symmetry of the high-temperature phase is established as ordered in the space group Cmcm (a = 4.3231(3) Å, b = 14.3328(9) Å, c = 11.2843(7) Å). The nature and microscopic mechanism of the phase transition is discussed. By cooling it down below 3 K, the soft ferromagnetic properties of EuYCuTe₃ are discovered. The correlation of the ferromagnetic transition temperature in the series of chalcogenides EuYCuCh₃ (Ch = S, Se, Te) with the ionic radius of the chalcogenide anion is established. The structural dynamical elastic properties of α- and β-EuYCuTe₃ were calculated within the ab initio approach. The vibrational mode frequencies and decomposition on irreducible representations, as well as the degree of ion involvement in each mode, were determined. The calculations reveal an imaginary mode in the Y-point of the Brillouin zone in the high symmetry β-EuYCuTe₃ phase. This finding explains the nature of structural reconstruction in EuYCuTe₃ crystal as a second-order phase transition induced by soft mode condensation at the edge of the Brillouin zone. The exfoliation of a single layer is simulated theoretically. The exfoliation energy is estimated, and the dynamical properties of EuYCuTe₃ single layers are studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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25 pages, 43021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interlayer Parallel Connection of Multiple Helmholtz Resonators for Optional Broadband Low Frequency Sound Absorption

by Xiaocui Yang, Qiang Li, Xinmin Shen, Binbin Zhou, Ning Wang, Enshuai Wang, Xiaonan Zhang, Cheng Shen, Hantian Wang and Shunjie Jiang

Materials 2025, 18(3), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030682 - 4 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 750

Abstract

The Helmholtz resonance acoustic metamaterial is an effective sound absorber in the field of noise reduction, especially in the low-frequency domain. To overcome the conflict between the number of Helmholtz resonators and the volume of the rear cavity for each chamber with a given front area of single-layer metamaterial, a novel acoustic metamaterial of interlayer parallel connection of multiple Helmholtz resonators (IPC–MHR) is proposed in this study. The developed IPC–MHR consists of several layers, and the Helmholtz resonators among different layers are connected in parallel. The sound absorption property of IPC–MHR is studied by finite element simulation and further optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm, and it is validated by standing wave tube measurement with the sample fabricated by additive manufacturing. The average sound absorption coefficient in the discrete frequency band [200 Hz, 300 Hz] U [400 Hz, 600 Hz] U [800 Hz, 1250 Hz] is 0.7769 for the IPC–MHR with four layers. Through the optimization of the thickness of each layer, the average sound absorption coefficient in 250–750 Hz is up to 0.8068. Similarly, the optimized IPC–MHR with six layers obtains an average sound absorption coefficient of 0.8454 in 300–950 Hz, which exhibits an excellent sound absorption performance in the low-frequency range with a wide band. The IPC–MHR can be used to suppress obnoxious noise in practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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11 pages, 1657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cu-Related Paramagnetic Centers in Cu- and (Cu,Y)-Doped ZrO₂ Nanopowders

by Valentyna Nosenko, Igor Vorona, Volodymyr Trachevsky, Yuriy Zagorodniy, Sergey Okulov, Oksana Isaieva, Volodymyr Yukhymchuk, Sergei A. Kulinich, Lyudmyla Borkovska and Larysa Khomenkova

Materials 2025, 18(3), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030605 - 29 Jan 2025

Viewed by 781

Abstract

In this work, we studied Cu-doped and (Cu,Y)-codoped ZrO₂ nanopowders produced through a coprecipitation approach to identify the nature of Cu-related bulk and surface paramagnetic centers. We conducted EPR, NMR, and Raman scattering studies on Cu- and (Cu,Y)-doped ZrO₂ powders calcined at different temperatures. At low calcination temperatures (400 °C) and low Cu loading (0.1–1.0 mol.% of CuO), the EPR signal was found to be attributed to surface-related Cu-H₂O complexes. For powders with higher Cu content (up to 8.0 mol.% of CuO), the superparamagnetic signal associated with the formation of copper clusters was observed. At higher calcination temperatures, the destruction of Cu-related surface complexes promotes the incorporation of Cu²⁺ ions into the bulk of ZrO₂ nanocrystals at Zr positions. Co-doping ZrO₂ with Cu and Y was observed to facilitate the incorporation of Cu²⁺ ions into cation sites at lower calcination temperatures when compared with Cu-doped ZrO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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15 pages, 2788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unrefined and Milled Ilmenite as a Cost-Effective Photocatalyst for UV-Assisted Destruction and Mineralization of PFAS

by Eustace Y. Fernando, Dibyendu Sarkar, Chatchai Rodwihok, Anshuman Satpathy, Jinxin Zhang, Roxana Rahmati, Rupali Datta, Christos Christodoulatos, Michel Boufadel, Steven Larson and Zhiming Zhang

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153801 - 1 Aug 2024

Viewed by 2546

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated and refractory pollutants that are ubiquitous in industrial wastewater. Photocatalytic destruction of such pollutants with catalysts such as TiO₂ and ZnO is an attractive avenue for removal of PFAS, but refined forms of such photocatalysts are expensive. This study, for the first time, utilized milled unrefined raw mineral ilmenite, coupled to UV-C irradiation to achieve mineralization of the two model PFAS compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Results obtained using a bench-scale photocatalytic reactor system demonstrated rapid removal kinetics of PFAS compounds (>90% removal in less than 10 h) in environmentally-relevant concentrations (200–1000 ppb). Raw ilmenite was reused over three consecutive degradation cycles of PFAS, retaining >80% removal efficiency. Analysis of degradation products indicated defluorination and the presence of shorter-chain PFAS intermediates in the initial samples. End samples indicated the disappearance of short-chain PFAS intermediates and further accumulation of fluoride ions, suggesting that original PFAS compounds underwent mineralization due to an oxygen-radical-based photocatalytic destruction mechanism induced by TiO₂ present in ilmenite and UV irradiation. The outcome of this study implies that raw ilmenite coupled to UV-C is suitable for cost-effective reactor operation and efficient photocatalytic destruction of PFAS compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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19 pages, 4002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Syntheses and Patterns of Changes in Structural Parameters of the New Quaternary Tellurides EuRECuTe₃ (RE = Ho, Tm, and Sc): Experiment and Theory

by Anna V. Ruseikina, Maxim V. Grigoriev, Ralf J. C. Locke, Vladimir A. Chernyshev and Thomas Schleid

Materials 2024, 17(14), 3378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143378 - 9 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1292

Abstract

The layered orthorhombic quaternary tellurides EuRECuTe₃ (RE = Ho, Tm, Sc) with Cmcm symmetry were first synthesized. Single crystals of the compounds up to 500 μm in size were obtained by the halide-flux method at 1120 K from elements taken in a ratio of Eu/RE/Cu/Te = 1:1:1:3. In the series of compounds, the changes in lattice parameters were in the ranges a = 4.3129(3)–4.2341(3) Å, b = 14.3150(9)–14.1562(9) Å, c = 11.2312(7)–10.8698(7) Å, V = 693.40(8)–651.52(7) Å³. In the structures, the cations Eu²⁺, RE³⁺ (RE = Ho, Tm, Sc), and Cu⁺ occupied independent crystallographic positions. The structures were built with distorted copper tetrahedra forming infinite chains [CuTe₄]⁷⁻ and octahedra [RETe₆]⁹⁻ forming two-dimensional layers along the a-axis. These coordination polyhedra formed parallel two-dimensional layers

{}_{\infty}^{2}{\{{[C u R E {T e}_{3}]}^{2 -}\}}

. Between the layers, along the a-axis, chains of europium trigonal prisms [EuTe₆]¹⁰⁻ were located. Regularities in the variation of structural parameters and the degree of distortion of coordination polyhedra depending on the ionic radius of the rare-earth metal in the compounds EuRECuCh₃ (RE = Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Sc; Ch = S, Se, Te) were established. It is shown that with a decrease in the ionic radius r_i(RE³⁺) in the compounds EuRECuTe₃, the unit-cell volume, bond length d(RE–Te), distortion degree [CuTe₄]⁷⁻, and crystallographic compression of layers [RECuTe₃]²⁻ decreased. The distortion degree of tetrahedral polyhedra [CuCh₄]⁷⁻, as well as the structural parameters in europium rare-earth copper tellurides EuRECuTe₃, were higher than in isostructural quaternary chalcogenides. Ab initio calculations of the crystalline structure, phonon spectrum, and elastic properties of compounds EuRECuTe₃ (RE = Ho, Tm, and Sc) ere conducted. The types and wave numbers of fundamental modes were determined, and the involvement of ions in IR and Raman modes was assessed. The calculated data of the crystal structure correlated well with the experimental results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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16 pages, 9276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Experimental Study on the Frictional Behavior of Ultrathin Metal Sheets at Elevated Temperatures

by Yuhang Xia, Zeran Hou, Jinjun Tan, Wenyao Wang, Nan Guo and Junying Min

Materials 2024, 17(12), 3009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17123009 - 19 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 945

Abstract

Hot forming is an effective approach for improving the formability of ultrathin metal sheets, such as those made of stainless steel and pure titanium. However, the increased friction coefficient between the tool and the high-temperature metal sheet negatively affects material flow during hot forming, potentially resulting in severe local thinning or even cracking. This study explores the frictional behavior of 0.1 mm thick ferritic stainless steel (FSS) and commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) sheets at elevated temperatures. A friction testing apparatus was developed to measure the friction coefficients of these metal sheets from room temperature (25 °C) up to 600 °C. The friction coefficient of the FSS sheet increased monotonically with temperature, whereas that of the CP-Ti sheet first increased and then decreased. Post-friction testing microscopic examination demonstrated that built-up edges formed on the surfaces of the friction blocks when rubbed against the stainless steel, contributing to the higher friction coefficients. This study provides a foundation for understanding frictional behavior during the hot forming of ultrathin metal sheets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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Review

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32 pages, 3349 KiB

Open AccessReview

Integration of Membrane-Based Pretreatment Methods with Pressure-Retarded Osmosis for Performance Enhancement: A Review

by Sara Pakdaman, Giti Nouri, Catherine N. Mulligan and Fuzhan Nasiri

Materials 2025, 18(5), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051020 - 26 Feb 2025

Viewed by 538

Abstract

Osmotic energy provides an emerging renewable alternative by leveraging the salinity gradient between two solutions. Among these technologies, pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) has attracted attention; however, its deployment is hindered by obstacles resulting from impurities in feed and draw solutions and lack of suitable membranes. This review explores the integration of membrane-based pretreatments with PRO, highlighting their influence on resolving the technical drawbacks of standalone PRO systems. Membrane-based pretreatments have shown considerable potential to overcome these challenges by improving the quality of water, reducing membrane fouling and enhancing its performance, and ultimately contributing to recovery of energy, resulting in higher power density. Additionally, the use of different nanomaterials has been proposed for membrane modification to optimize PRO performance. Moreover, the study investigates recent advancements in hybrid configurations for harnessing existing infrastructure and to enhance energy efficiency. Offering a comprehensive review on this integrated approach contributes to valuable insights for advancing membrane-based hybrid systems toward commercial viability. Consequently, investment in developing advanced computational modeling and experimental validation, utilization of advanced membrane materials with higher fouling resistance, and optimization of system configurations by using dual-stage and multi-stage designs are required to overcome these limitations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Applications of Advanced Materials: Material Properties, Behaviour Modeling, Optimal Design and Advanced Processes)

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