Advanced functional materials consist of two or more materials prepared using various manufacturing processes. They are used in automotive, aerospace, marine, and defense applications due to their light weight, high strength to weight ratio, high stiffness to weight ratio, better resistance to wear and corrosion, and excellent properties at elevated temperature. Advanced functional materials can be prepared by casting processes, powder metallurgy, and surface modification techniques, and their properties can be evaluated by mechanical and other testing methods. In addition, the machinability and welding of advanced welding techniques are essential to manufacture these components for end applications.

Conventional materials used in industry often lead to failure because of their poor mechanical properties, lower strength to weight ratio, and poor resistance to wear and corrosion. The lack of interface bonding between the matrix and reinforcements causes fibers or particles to pull out of the matrix. In addition, there are challenges faced in the weldability and machinability of functional materials when using conventional welding and machining techniques. Hence, significant attention has been given to developing advanced functional materials and the advanced welding and machining techniques needed to best produce various products for end applications.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research and review articles focused on recent advances in advanced functional materials and engineering approaches for designing, synthesizing, and characterization of these materials. We will focus on research in the fields of advanced composite materials, additive manufacturing and metal forming of functional materials, surface modification techniques, conventional and advanced welding methods, non-traditional machining processes, and micro- and nano-machining processes.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Advanced functional composites, including metal matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and ceramic matrix composites
• Weldability of functional materials using friction stir welding, electron beam welding, laser beam welding, and other advanced welding techniques
• Machinability of functional materials using traditional and non-traditional machining techniques
• Surface modification techniques using laser cladding, heat treatment, and friction stir processing
• Additive manufacturing and metal forming of functional materials
• Tribological and corrosion behavior of metals, alloys, and composites