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Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications

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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: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 4378

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Radoslaw Jasiński

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Department of Building Structures, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
Interests: civil engineering; materials engineering; masonry structures; RC structures; FEM modeling; diagnostic of structures; reinforcement of the structure with steel and FRP materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Krzysztof Stebel

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Department of Automatic Control and Robotics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: modeling and simulation of industrial processes with particular emphasis on non-linear systems; synthesis, implementation and testing of advanced control systems; Q-learning algorithm for continuous process control; predictive algorithms using two-state control; strength machines for testing construction materials and analyzing their properties

Dr. Slavka Harabinova

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Institute of Engineering Structures and Transport Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Kosice, Slovakia
Interests: civil engineering; material engineering; geotechnics; FEM modeling; reinforcement of soils with plastic materials

Dr. Iwona Galman

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Guest Editor

Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
Interests: civil engineering; material engineering; masonry structures; non-metallic materials; FEM modeling; reinforcement of structures with steel and FRP materials

Dr. Krzysztof Grzyb

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Guest Editor

Department of Building Structures, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: civil engineering; material engineering; masonry structures; RC structures; FEM modeling; structural diagnostics; reinforcement of structures with steel and FRP materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We cordially invite you to contribute a scientific article to our upcoming Special Issue, "Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications". This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and recent advances in the development, characterization and application of lightweight metallic and non-metallic materials.

Articles should be related to Material, Civil and Mechanical Engineering and concern research on both metallic and non-metallic materials themselves and their potential applications. Publications concerning the properties of modern metal alloys and nanomaterials used in the construction, space, aviation and automotive industries will be of particular value.

This Special Issue is an excellent opportunity for researchers to showcase interdisciplinary work that bridges the gap between material science and real engineering applications. It will consider the applications of non-metallic materials in the construction material industry, structural reinforcements and problems regarding the maintenance and durability of structures (reinforced concrete, masonry and wooden structures), and geotechnics materials (fibre mesh, gabions etc.). Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this Special Issue, we hope to receive research from many different researchers on Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials.

Prof. Dr. Radoslaw Jasiński
Dr. Krzysztof Stebel
Dr. Slavka Harabinova
Dr. Iwona Galman
Dr. Krzysztof Grzyb
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

lightweight materials
material engineering
emerging materials
sustainable materials
structural reinforcements
nanomaterials
aviation industry
automotive industry
steel reinforcement
FRP reinforcement
GFRP mesh
plastic fiber

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 1825 KB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Connection of Non-Load-Bearing Walls Using a Spatially Arranged Silica Glass Mesh

by Radosław Jasiński and Iwona Galman

Materials 2026, 19(13), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19132900 (registering DOI) - 6 Jul 2026

Abstract

Although non-structural walls do not determine the structural safety of a building, they are responsible for its functionality by serving as acoustic, thermal, and fire-resistant partitions. They may be freely located and relocated and are typically constructed during the finishing stage of building works. Reliable performance of non-structural walls depends on appropriate connections to floors and adjacent walls. Connections to walls are most commonly achieved using traditional masonry bonding or sufficiently durable wall connectors, usually made of steel. An alternative to steel connectors may be connectors made of polymer-based materials or meshes. This paper proposes an innovative method for connecting non-structural masonry walls using a spatially arranged mesh, which serves not only as reinforcement of the wall connection but also as reinforcement of the bed joints. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in comparison with other connection techniques, including traditional solutions. Experimental investigations were carried out using an original test setup on 12 specimens made of AAC masonry units, divided into three series: series P—traditional connection (reference series), series H—connection with mesh placed in bed joints, and series SHP—connection with spatially arranged mesh. Silica Glass Mesh (SGM), intended for reinforcement of bed joints in AAC masonry, was used in the study. The experiments focused on the analysis of connection behavior and load-bearing capacity, with particular emphasis on maximum load values and failure mechanisms. Individual stages of the behavior of mesh-reinforced connections were identified, and empirical relationships enabling estimation of maximum loads were developed. The results confirmed that the traditional connection achieved the highest load-bearing capacity. However, as expected, the mesh-reinforced connections—particularly those with the spatial mesh arrangement—exhibited a more stable response and a greater ability for progressive load transfer. The SHP series connections with spatially arranged meshes exhibited significantly lower load-bearing capacity compared to the reference unreinforced connections, while at the same time demonstrating substantially greater deformability. The stiffness degradation in the mesh-reinforced connections did not occur abruptly, as observed in the reference models, which makes them an effective alternative for practical applications. Technical models for predicting forces and displacements of connections reinforced with spatially arranged meshes and meshes placed in bed joints were also developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

30 pages, 19603 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Modeling of RC Beams Strengthened with Non-Pretensioned and Pretensioned NSM CFRP Strips

by Szymon Seręga and Renata Kotynia

Materials 2026, 19(11), 2357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19112357 - 2 Jun 2026

Viewed by 364

Abstract

This paper presents research on reinforced concrete beams strengthened with non-pretensioned and pretensioned near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips under self-weight and external preloading. The first part of this paper briefly describes and discusses the results of experimental tests performed on six beams with different reinforcing steel ratios, preloading levels, and strengthening-system configurations. Next, three-dimensional (3D) numerical models of the tested specimens were developed. The models consider the nonlinear behavior of concrete (both in tension and compression), steel bars, and the interface between concrete and CFRP laminates. For these models, the material parameters were established based on experiments and recommendations from the literature. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted with respect to the material parameters of the model that were not directly obtained from experimental measurements. The analyses validated the applicability of the numerical model in predicting the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members strengthened with near-surface-mounted (NSM) CFRP materials over the full loading range. Furthermore, the developed models were employed to assess the effectiveness of active strengthening relative to passive strengthening methods (i.e., without pretensioning of the laminate). A comparison study of actively and passively strengthened elements indicates that prestressing does not affect the ultimate limit state but enhances serviceability limit states. The presented computational model, together with the adopted computational strategy, demonstrates its effectiveness for analyzing realistic scenarios involving RC beams that are damaged and subjected to loading during the strengthening process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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30 pages, 34016 KB

Open AccessArticle

Minimum and Maximum Void Ratios of Sand–Rubber and Crushed Concrete–Rubber Mixtures

by Magdalena Kowalska, Bartosz Bdzionek, Katarzyna Gabryś, Iwo Zatorski and Cristiana Ferreira

Materials 2026, 19(9), 1721; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19091721 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 638

Abstract

There are no unique and universally accepted procedures for the determination of the maximum and minimum void ratios, e_max and e_min. This issue is particularly pertinent in the characterisation of the alternative sustainable materials examined in this study: well-graded tyre-derived aggregate (TDA), recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and their mixtures (RCA-TDA), with a rubber content by weight of Χ_M = 11, 23 and 55%. Uniformly graded TDA–sand mixtures with Χ_M = 0, 15, 27, 42, and 100% were also considered. The results from dry and moist samples were compared with void ratios obtained after Proctor compaction and static loading. It was found that, in contrast to vibration for sand and sand–TDA mixtures, the most efficient densification techniques involve impact compaction at the optimum water content for RCA and RCA-TDA and static loading for TDA. Inversion of dry RCA, TDA and RCA-TDA samples in a graduated cylinder was the most effective to consistently achieve e_max but induced visible segregation. Unlike sand–rubber mixtures, well-graded RCA-TDA did not exhibit a threshold rubber content at which e_max and e_min fell below those of RCA and TDA alone, suggesting reduced segregation. The findings offer practical guidance for improving specimen preparation reproducibility in the laboratory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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13 pages, 1217 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Performance and Microstructural Characterization of PET-Modified Cement Mortars with Metakaolin

by Aleksandra Kostrzanowska-Siedlarz, Tomasz Ponikiewski, Agnieszka Kocot and Oldrich Sucharda

Materials 2026, 19(9), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19091682 - 22 Apr 2026

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Abstract

The incorporation of plastic waste into cement-based materials offers a promising strategy for improving sustainability; however, it is often associated with reduced mechanical performance due to weak interfacial bonding. This study investigates the effect of metakaolin on the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and mechanical properties of cement mortars modified with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes used for the partial replacement of natural sand. Mortars containing 10 and 50 wt% metakaolin (as cement replacement) and 5 vol.% PET flakes (as sand replacement) were prepared and tested after 28 days of curing. Compressive and flexural strength were evaluated, and microstructural analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a focus on the ITZ. The results indicate that the incorporation of PET flakes leads to a reduction in mechanical properties due to the formation of a porous and weak ITZ. However, the addition of 10 wt% metakaolin significantly improved mechanical properties, enabling PET-modified mortars to achieve strength comparable to the reference mix. SEM observations revealed that metakaolin contributed to the refinement of the microstructure and reduction in ITZ porosity, which enhanced interfacial bonding and improved stress transfer between PET particles and the cement matrix. These findings demonstrate that metakaolin can effectively mitigate the negative effects associated with PET incorporation by improving the microstructural characteristics of the ITZ, thereby enhancing the performance of sustainable cement-based composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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27 pages, 12302 KB

Open AccessArticle

Small-Strain Elastic Properties of EPS: Insights from Video Extensometry

by Kamil Słowiński and Ewa Delalicz de Lawal

Materials 2026, 19(8), 1570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081570 - 14 Apr 2026

Viewed by 427

Abstract

Accurate determination of the elastic parameters of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the small-strain range is essential for its structural applications. This study investigates the compression modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of EPS with a nominal density of 20 kg/m³ through unconfined compression tests on cubic specimens of 50, 100, 200 and 300 mm side length and rectangular 50 × 50 × 100 mm specimens. Three deformation measurement methods were compared: video extensometer (VE) and crosshead displacement measurements performed at two independent laboratories. Two moduli of elasticity, E_0–0.5 and E_0.5–1.0, were determined within vertical strain (ε_v) ranges of 0–0.5% and 0.5–1.0%, respectively. VE-based moduli were up to twice the values obtained from crosshead displacement measurements, demonstrating that global deformation measurements significantly underestimate material stiffness in the small-strain range due to bedding error. The stress–strain relationship within ε_v ≤ 1%, commonly regarded as the elastic range of EPS, was found to be clearly nonlinear and is well described by a bilinear model. No size effect on moduli was observed in VE measurements, while crosshead displacement measurements showed increasing moduli with specimen height, stabilising at 100 mm and above. VE-based Poisson’s ratio v_0–0.5 was 0.23 for cubic specimens and 0.09 for rectangular specimens, suggesting a significant effect of specimen geometry. The results highlight the importance of local strain measurement for accurate characterisation of EPS elastic behaviour, particularly in structural applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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23 pages, 10344 KB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Mechanical Properties of Steel Along the Curvature of Corrugated Web SIN Girders

by Witold Basiński and Grzegorz Gremza

Materials 2026, 19(4), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19040791 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 430

Abstract

This paper presents results from statistical tests on random parameters of strength properties of steel used to manufacture corrugated webs for SIN plate girders, depending on the place of specimen cut-out, that is, from the flat section or ridge of the wave. The tests were performed on specimens collected from 12 randomly selected corrugated sheets with thicknesses of 2, 2.5 and 3 mm, provided by the manufacturer of SIN beams. The analysis was used to select variation coefficients of yield strength V_Re = D(R_e)/E(R_e) and partial coefficients of yield strength γ_m for steel in flat and arched parts of the web. Metallographic and Vickers hardness tests were performed. Values of deformations and residual stresses were determined. The close correlation between the influence of the web plate shape and the strength parameters along the web curvature was demonstrated. Analysis of the initiation points of stability loss (IPLS points) revealed that the initiation of stability loss occurs in the area of the flat web sections. In addition to the influence of geometry, the influence of the change in yield strength, as identified in this paper, can be observed. Consideration of random features of yield strength and web thickness can lead to modifications in designing and calculating structures made of SIN girders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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17 pages, 5213 KB

Open AccessArticle

Shear Tests on Polyurethane Flexible Joints

by Łukasz Hojdys, Piotr Krajewski and Arkadiusz Kwiecień

Materials 2026, 19(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19010097 - 26 Dec 2025

Viewed by 978

Abstract

This paper investigates the behavior of PM-type polyurethane flexible joints connecting structural components. Although flexible polyurethanes are known for their energy dissipation capacity and ability to accommodate large deformations—particularly under seismic actions—research addressing their performance under shear loading remains limited. The primary objective of this work was to characterize these joints under varying levels of normal stress, identify failure modes, and estimate key mechanical parameters. Nine masonry triplet specimens, composed of concrete units and PM-type polyurethane, were subjected to shear testing using a procedure adapted from EN 1052-3. Tests were carried out at three precompression levels: 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 N/mm². Tensile tests were further performed to calibrate material models. The results showed that increasing precompression led to higher ultimate shear loads. All specimens failed due to shear failure at the unit–flexible joint interface, with no damage observed in the masonry units. Based on linear regression following EN 1052-3, the initial shear strength was determined to be 0.729 N/mm², corresponding to a friction coefficient of 0.14. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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Review

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20 pages, 1603 KB

Open AccessReview

Manufacturing, Properties, and Applications of Porous Ti₂AlC: A Review

by Marek Potoczek

Materials 2026, 19(10), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19102113 - 18 May 2026

Viewed by 384

Abstract

Porous Ti₂AlC, a member of the MAX phase family of nanolaminated ternary carbides and nitrides, has attracted increasing attention due to its unique combination of metallic and ceramic properties. This review summarizes recent advances in the fabrication, structure–property relationships, and applications of porous Ti₂AlC. Various processing routes, including incomplete sintering, sacrificial templating, replica techniques, gel casting, extrusion, and direct ink writing, are compared in terms of achievable porosity, pore morphology, and structural control. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of porosity in tailoring mechanical performance, thermal conductivity, and high-temperature oxidation resistance, based on available literature data. Recent progress in applications of porous Ti₂AlC and related MAX phases is also discussed, including their use in filtration, membrane supports, heat exchangers, electrochemical systems for hydrogen evolution, and as preforms for lightweight interpenetrating metal/MAX phase composites. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are identified, highlighting the need for improved control of porosity and a deeper understanding of structure–property relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Lightweight Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials: From Properties to Applications)

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