Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115583
Małgorzata Zaborniak , Janusz Kluczyński , Janusz Torzewski , Maciej Pytel , Ireneusz Szachogłuchowicz , Katarzyna Bulanda , Marcin Małek
{"title":"Influence of steam sterilization on the mechanical and low-cycle fatigue properties of polyetheretherketone parts obtained by material extrusion additive manufacturing technology","authors":"Małgorzata Zaborniak , Janusz Kluczyński , Janusz Torzewski , Maciej Pytel , Ireneusz Szachogłuchowicz , Katarzyna Bulanda , Marcin Małek","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Steam sterilization is a mandatory post-processing step for polymer-based medical implants; however, its influence on fatigue damage evolution in additively manufactured high-performance polymers remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigate how high-temperature steam sterilization (134 °C) alters the mechanical response and low-cycle fatigue behavior of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) components produced by material extrusion (MEX). A combined experimental framework involving quasi-static tensile testing supported by digital image correlation (DIC), strain-controlled low-cycle fatigue experiments, Manson–Coffin–Basquin (MCB) modeling, and post-mortem scanning electron microscopy was employed to compare as-built (BOC) and steam-sterilized (OC) specimens. While steam sterilization induces a reduction in tensile ductility and suppresses macroscopic necking, fatigue experiments reveal a counterintuitive response: sterilized specimens exhibit extended fatigue crack propagation zones and altered damage evolution despite their more brittle-like monotonic behavior. The results demonstrate a non-trivial decoupling between monotonic tensile embrittlement and fatigue crack propagation mechanisms in MEX-processed PEEK. Fractographic and hysteresis analyses indicate that sterilization modifies inter-filament cohesion and volumetric damage mechanisms, promoting stable fatigue crack growth at lower effective stress intensities rather than premature catastrophic failure. These findings provide mechanistic insight into sterilization-induced fatigue degradation pathways in additively manufactured PEEK and highlight the necessity of considering post-processing effects beyond static properties when qualifying polymer implants for fatigue-sensitive biomedical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115583"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115572
Jiayi Feng , Yu Sun , Tianqi Li , Yanlong Wang , Pengfei Li , Yunzhang Cheng , Jiang Yuan , Meng Yin
{"title":"A dual-gas release system combined with a zwitterionic coating promotes ideal vascular regeneration in small-diameter vascular grafts","authors":"Jiayi Feng , Yu Sun , Tianqi Li , Yanlong Wang , Pengfei Li , Yunzhang Cheng , Jiang Yuan , Meng Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study developed a small-diameter vascular graft featuring a dual-gas (NO and H<sub>2</sub>S) release system combined with a zwitterionic coating, aiming to address three major challenges: thrombosis, delayed endothelialization, and intimal hyperplasia. By blending a keratin-conjugated H<sub>2</sub>S donor (KBT) with poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) for electrospinning, and further modifying the graft with a dopamine–copper–amine‑terminated sulfobetaine (SB) composite coating, a PLCL/KBT-SB vascular graft capable of sustained catalytic release of NO and H<sub>2</sub>S was fabricated. <em>In vitro</em> experiments confirmed the ability to selectively promote endothelial cell proliferation and migration while inhibiting smooth muscle cell activity. The zwitterionic coating and the synergistic dual-gas release system effectively reduced protein adsorption and polarized macrophages toward M2 phenotype. The PLCL/KBT-SB graft was further evaluated <em>in vivo</em> using a rat abdominal aorta replacement model (n = 8 per group). Histological assessment revealed that the graft reduced the inflammatory state of endothelial cells, promoted endothelial functional maturation, and facilitated the transition of smooth muscle cells toward a contractile phenotype. Furthermore, the grafts demonstrated uniform neotissue distribution at both 1 and 3 months post-implantation, with moderate neointimal thickness and no calcification. Overall, this study provides a promising small-diameter vascular grafts by innovatively integrating gas therapy and surface modification strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115572"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146186062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115599
Shaohua Shi , Seyed Mohsen Sadeghzadeh
{"title":"Surface treatment of pervious concrete with Mn2Mo3O8 fibrous nanoparticles for enhanced paving performance","authors":"Shaohua Shi , Seyed Mohsen Sadeghzadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pervious concrete is widely used in low traffic pavements due to its high permeability and environmental benefits; however, limited mechanical strength and durability restrict its broader application. This study investigates the effectiveness of Mn<sub>2</sub>Mo<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> nanofibers as a surface treatment to enhance the performance of pervious concrete paving flags. Mn<sub>2</sub>Mo<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> with a well defined fibrous and mesoporous structure were synthesized via a hydrothermal assisted sol gel method and applied using four surface treatment techniques: spraying, submerging, double submerging, and brushing. The performance of treated paving flags was evaluated in accordance with EN 1339, including bending strength, breaking load, water absorption, porosity, permeability, abrasion resistance, and slip resistance. Microstructural characterization was conducted using SEM, TEM, XRD, and VSM analyses. Results indicate that Mn<sub>2</sub>Mo<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> NF surface treatment improves mechanical performance, with immersion based methods showing the most pronounced effects. Quantitatively, immersion treatment increased the minimum bending strength and breaking load by up to approximately 25%, while water absorption, porosity, and permeability were reduced by about 20–40% compared with untreated specimens. Mn<sub>2</sub>Mo<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> NF surface treatment represents a promising and practical approach for improving the durability and performance of pervious concrete paving systems for low traffic urban infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115599"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115600
Yipu Xu , Run-Zi Wang , Yutaka S. Sato , Kiyoaki T. Suzuki , Yue Zhao , Zongli Yi , Aiping Wu
{"title":"Tailoring retained austenite and mechanical properties in super martensitic stainless steel in-situ alloyed via wire-arc directed energy deposition","authors":"Yipu Xu , Run-Zi Wang , Yutaka S. Sato , Kiyoaki T. Suzuki , Yue Zhao , Zongli Yi , Aiping Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Super martensitic stainless steel (SMSS) is extensively applied in hydroelectric, petrochemical, and nuclear power fields because it combines relatively low cost with excellent mechanical performance. This study innovatively employs in-situ alloying approach to tailor the retained austenite (RA) content in SMSS by adjusting the mixing ratio of austenitic stainless steel (ASS) and ferritic stainless steel (FSS) feedstocks during wire-arc directed energy deposition (DED). The microstructural distribution of the as-deposited component reveals pronounced spatial heterogeneity. With the gradual reduction of γ-stabilizer elements along the building direction (BD), the RA content steadily decreases, whereas δ-ferrite exhibits an opposite increasing trend. Notably, the volume fraction of α’-martensite first increases and then declines. The microstructural evolution correlates directly with mechanical properties, reflected in an initial enhancement followed by a degradation in strength, along with a continuous loss of ductility. Compared with conventional approach, this strategy enables location-specific control of phase fractions and enhances the efficiency and flexibility of designing compositionally graded SMSS components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115600"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146186078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Soft when needed, stiff when required: magnetic control of mechanical behavior via fluid-inclusion composites","authors":"Malika Saad Saoud , Jean Zaraket , Vanessa Fierro , Alain Celzard","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Materials whose mechanical properties can be adjusted under the effect of magnetic fields offer new opportunities for adaptive systems. This study presents new, soft composite materials that integrate a magnetorheological (MR) fluid encapsulated in an elastomeric matrix, and whose spatial distribution of magnetizable particles is dynamically controlled, thereby modifying the flow properties of the MR fluid and hence the stiffness of the composites. Experimental results from both monotonic (simple) and cyclic compression tests performed under various magnetic field strengths (0–500 mT) reveal a significant enhancement in compressive stiffness, mechanical response, and energy dissipation compared with conventional MR elastomers (MREs). Notably, a composite with 13.3 vol% of magnetizable particles achieved up to +60% higher energy dissipation than conventional MREs, and +276% compared to similar MR fluid-filled cavity systems reported in the literature. Monotonic and cyclic compression tests confirmed a strong magnetorheological effect and revealed clear hyperelastic behavior with pronounced Mullins softening, accurately captured using the Mooney-Rivlin model combined with a softening function. These results make MR fluid-based composites highly promising materials for soft robotics, vibration control, and other applications requiring tunable mechanical response and efficient energy dissipation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115614"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146186080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115627
Guibo Fan , Ao Zhang , Ayang Zhao , Yueyue Gao , Yuting Rong , Rui Xin , Liangcan He , Sihua Qi
{"title":"Biomimetic propofol liposomes alleviate ischemic stroke by targeting ferroptosis via EGFR/Nrf2 pathway activation","authors":"Guibo Fan , Ao Zhang , Ayang Zhao , Yueyue Gao , Yuting Rong , Rui Xin , Liangcan He , Sihua Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, with therapeutic efficacy limited by narrow treatment windows and severe ischemia–reperfusion injury. Excessive oxidative stress and neuroinflammation drive progressive neuronal injury after ischemia–reperfusion, with ferroptosis emerging as a key downstream form of regulated cell death, thereby underscoring the need for lesion-specific and sustained neuroprotective interventions. Propofol exhibits intrinsic antioxidant, mitochondrial-protective, and anti-ferroptotic activities beyond its anesthetic effects. However, its therapeutic application in ischemic stroke is constrained by insufficient accumulation at ischemic lesion sites and rapid systemic clearance, resulting in unstable neuroprotective efficacy. In this study, we developed a macrophage membrane–coated lipid nanoparticle loaded with propofol (MCM@LNP@Propofol), integrating efficient liposomal encapsulation, membrane-biomimetic inflammation targeting, and environmentally responsive drug release within a single modular platform. The nanoparticles exhibit high encapsulation efficiency, uniform size distribution and colloidal stability. The macrophage membrane coating preserves key immune-evading and inflammation-homing features, markedly enhancing propofol accumulation in ischemic brain lesions compared with non-biomimetic liposomes. Furthermore, incorporation of an ROS-sensitive thioketal–PEG linker endows the system with dual pH/ROS responsiveness, enabling spatially controlled drug release within the ischemia–reperfusion microenvironment. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that MCM@LNP@Propofol effectively suppresses ferroptosis, restores mitochondrial homeostasis, and significantly improves neurological function. Mechanistic investigations further reveal that these protective effects are mediated predominantly through activation of the EGFR/NRF2 signaling axis. Overall, this work presents a multifunctional, inflammation-targeted nanotherapeutic platform that stabilizes and enhances the therapeutic performance of propofol, offering a safe and translatable materials-based strategy for ischemic stroke treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115627"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115632
Peng Su , Shangqin Yang , Hongzhi Yang , Bingbing Yin , Qian Shi , Xiaoya Li , Fucheng Yin
{"title":"Effect of Ru doping content on microstructural evolution and oxidation resistance of NiAlHf coatings at 1150 °C","authors":"Peng Su , Shangqin Yang , Hongzhi Yang , Bingbing Yin , Qian Shi , Xiaoya Li , Fucheng Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>NiAlHf coatings were deposited on a nickel-based single-crystal René N5 substrate using arc ion plating technology. Isothermal oxidation was performed in laboratory air at 1150 °C for up to 200 h. The microstructural evolution and oxidation behavior were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, etc. The results indicate that Ru addition promotes the transformation from θ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> during oxide-scale formation, and the dense and continuous α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> scale effectively suppresses Al interdiffusion. Besides, the formation of Cr<sub>2</sub>Hf and (Cr,Co)<sub>2</sub>Hf precipitates within the coating, as well as a Cr(W,Ta)-rich precipitation band at the coating/substrate interface can act as effective diffusion barriers, which contributes to delayed microstructural degradation of the coating. After 200 h of oxidation, the average oxidation rates of the coating decrease from 0.1100 g/(m<sup>2</sup>·h) to 0.0536 g/(m<sup>2</sup>·h) with Ru content increases, accompanied by enhanced resistance to oxide-scale spallation. The mechanisms of Ru addition on phase transformation of θ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and microstructural evolution of NiAlHf coating are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115632"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115520
Mohd Aqib, Kopparthi Ravikiran, Leijun Li, Vinay Prasad
{"title":"A multi-fidelity active learning framework for accelerated alloy design","authors":"Mohd Aqib, Kopparthi Ravikiran, Leijun Li, Vinay Prasad","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Machine learning (ML) driven methodologies are more efficient than traditional trial-and-error-based materials design; however, extensive training datasets are required for their development. To overcome this challenge, we developed a multifidelity active learning (MFAL) framework that significantly improves optimization efficiency compared to typical evolutionary methods. This framework strategically balances the computational effort between high- and low-fidelity evaluations, thereby reducing experimental burden while effectively guiding the search towards optimal compositions. MFAL was applied to high-entropy alloy (HEA) design, enabling the discovery of compositions that approach the theoretical minimum coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The optimized composition was efficiently identified, validating the developed framework as robust and scalable. The quantitative study shows that the MFAL framework achieved near-optimal convergence in around 75 iterations, using only 55–65% costly high-fidelity evaluations, in contrast to single-fidelity methods that needed 100% high-fidelity assessments. Compared to trial-and-error approaches, MFAL delivers five-fold improvement in optimization speed while requiring 40% fewer high-fidelity evaluations than conventional methods. It demonstrates optimization of experimental/computational resources by strategically focusing expensive evaluations on the most promising compositional areas. MFAL has the potential for rapid development of next-generation alloys with customized properties and insights into composition-property relationships.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115520"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115532
Thang Q. Tran, Xinying Deng, Carla Canturri, Chu Long Tham, Muthu Vignesh Vellayappan, Xiaoying Qi, Hitheshvar Ramasamy Rajkumar, Jiazhao Huang, Jingyi Yang, Mui Ling Sharon Nai
{"title":"Additive manufacturing of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene: Feedstock quality correlations, heat-induced shrinkage, and 4D printing applications","authors":"Thang Q. Tran, Xinying Deng, Carla Canturri, Chu Long Tham, Muthu Vignesh Vellayappan, Xiaoying Qi, Hitheshvar Ramasamy Rajkumar, Jiazhao Huang, Jingyi Yang, Mui Ling Sharon Nai","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115532","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115532","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Here we investigate the correlations between the quality and properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) feedstock filaments and their material extrusion 3D printed counterparts. Three ABS filaments with different dimensional accuracy, density, residue content, and defects were employed to fabricate ABS parts at the same printing conditions and evaluated for mechanical strength, dimensional precision, mesostructures, and heat-induced shrinkage. It was found that poor-quality ABS filaments could lower the mechanical performance and dimensional accuracy of the printed parts while feedstocks with higher density and lower residue content yielded higher heat-induced shrinkage rate (up to 21.4%). Exploiting this differential shrinkage, a novel direct four-dimensional (4D) printing method was developed to fabricate self-bending bilayer structures triggered by heat stimulus without programming process. The findings offer valuable insight into the critical role of the quality and properties of ABS feedstock filaments in defining the printed parts’ behaviors and suggest great potentials of the proposed 4D printing method for fabricating smart polymer structures made of a wide range of thermoplastic materials even without shape-memory properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115532"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials & DesignPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115574
Guangming Shi , Yuan Xue , Dejun Yang , Ai Zhang , Weiming Guan , Junhui Zhang , Xinhui Pan , Dingyu Wang , Chao Jin
{"title":"Study on the mechanical properties of Yili loess improved by EICP biomimetic mineralization technology under freeze-thaw cycle conditions","authors":"Guangming Shi , Yuan Xue , Dejun Yang , Ai Zhang , Weiming Guan , Junhui Zhang , Xinhui Pan , Dingyu Wang , Chao Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115574","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study employs Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (EICP) technology on Yili loess to enhance its resistance to freeze–thaw damage. EICP significantly improves the durability of the loess by restricting moisture migration and alleviating stresses induced by ice crystal formation. Following 15 freeze–thaw cycles, specimens treated with EICP exhibited only minor surface cracks, in stark contrast to the extensive crack networks observed in untreated specimens. In terms of mechanical properties, the EICP-treated loess demonstrated a 1.5-fold increase in unconfined compressive strength and a 1.33-fold rise in initial elastic modulus, maintaining advantages of 1.6-fold and 2.2-fold, respectively, after undergoing the cycles. The failure mode shifted from shear to compression, indicating enhanced structural integrity. Under the combined effects of freeze–thaw action and confining pressure, the shear strength of the treated loess consistently remained higher, primarily due to an increase in cohesion (1.17-fold initially and 18.72% higher after cycling), while the friction angle exhibited minimal change. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations revealed that calcium carbonate cementation filled the pores, resulting in a dense structure dominated by small- to medium-sized pores, effectively suppressing pore expansion and crack propagation induced by freeze–thaw cycles. This research showcases a promising technique for stabilizing Yili loess in cold regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 115574"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}