This book highlights fundamental research on the design and application of engineering materials, and predominantly mechanical engineering applications. This area includes a wide range of technologies and materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics. Advanced applications include manufacturing cutting-edge materials, testing methods, and multi-scale experimental and computational aspects. The book introduces readers to a wealth of engineering applications in transport, civil, packaging and power generation.

This volume of Advanced Structured Materials contains selected papers presented at the 2nd International Conference on Materials Design and Applications 2018 (MDA 2018), held in Porto, Portugal during 5–6 July 2018. The goal of the con- ference was to provide a unique opportunity to exchange information, present the latest results as well as to discuss issues relevant to materials design and applica tions. The focus is on fundamental research and application areas in the field of the design and application of engineering materials, predominantly within the context of mechanical engineering applications. This includes a wide range of materials engineering and technology, including metals, e.g. lightweight metallic materials, polymers, composites and ceramics. Advanced applications include manufacturing of new materials, testing methods, multi-scale experimental and computational aspects. Approximately 140 papers were presented by researchers from nearly 30 countries.

In order to disseminate the work presented in MDA 2018, selected papers were prepared which resulted in the present volume dedicated to ‘Materials Design and Applications II’. A wide range of topics are covered resulting in 34 papers dealing with: metals, ceramics, composites, design, power generation, additive manufac turing, machining, fracture mechanics, joining, tribology and forming. The book is a state-of-the-art of materials design and applications and also serves as a reference volume for researchers and graduate students working with advanced materials.

The organizer and editor wish to thank all the authors for their participation and cooperation, which made this volume possible. Finally, I would like to thank the team of Springer-Verlag, especially Dr. Christoph Baumann, for the excellent cooperation during the preparation of this volume.