Materials are an important component of historical heritage, being the framework of structures and the substrate of art works. The characterization of materials found in historical structures can have important implications in terms of historical research on materials used in these structures, hence potentially giving information on chronologies and trade routes. The study of materials can also be relevant for the study of structures, with regard to both the discovery of buried ones and the impact of materials on their behaviour under static and dynamic conditions. However, usually, there are significant restrictions on sampling of these materials.

After their emplacement in structures, materials could experience weathering or decay (in aesthetics or functional terms). Conservation of materials will require research on treatments effects and creates opportunities for new treatments (e.g., nanomaterials). Replacement of materials might also be considered. Processes of conservation and replacement also create opportunities for using materials to improve the behaviour of historical structures (e.g., during seismic events). Environmental impacts of treatment or replacement procedures, including impacts on the users of structures, namely, in terms of climate comfort and as potential sources of hazardous substances and gamma radiation, need to be considered. One can additionally look at materials in historical structures as long-term experiments regarding their durability and their functional performance, which can stimulate the development of new materials or new ways to use traditional materials.

This special issue is aimed at being at the crossroads of materials science and engineering with other venues of research related to build heritage (archaeology, history, geology, conservation science, and architecture). The submission of research articles highlighting advanced experimental or modelling results as well as review articles assessing the present state of the art is welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Techniques for characterization of materials, both in the field and in the laboratory, with special reference to nondestructive procedures
• Provenance studies
• Lessons from historical uses of materials for new materials and structures (durability, climatic comfort, and potential valorisation of wastes)
• Diagnosis, simulation, and modelling of decay processes of materials
• Selection and development of materials for replacement of degraded materials and for improvement of structures
• Testing and development of products for conservation operations
• Impact of materials on users of historical structures (namely, health issues related to, e.g., atmospheric emissions or radioactivity)
• Assessment of the sustainability of production, use, and conservation of materials
• Role of materials in modelling the behaviour of structures under static and dynamic conditions
• Contribution of materials to geophysical survey of buried historical structures
• Dating of materials application in structures