Previous research has indicated the potential effectiveness of adopting micro-scale layered architectures to improve the fatigue damage resistance of coatings. However, the optimisation of these coatings is difficult due to the existence of many different factors affecting fatigue performance in such micro-scale layered architectures. In particular, the interaction of successive shielding and anti-shielding processes on crack growth resistance is therefore addressed in this paper by numerical simulation analysis. The crack tip fields in a series of layered architectures were simulated based on varying assumed constitutive materials properties to reveal the interaction of shielding/anti-shielding characteristics in complex architectures in a simple exemplar system. The evolution of crack driving force (CDF) with crack length was calculated and linked to crack growth life to investigate the effect of the ordering of shielding/anti-shielding characteristics on the crack tip field and hence on crack growth life. Layered architectures with different numbers, ordering and placing of layers, were assessed and parametric studies of 4 layered architectures were carried out. This allows analysis of the effect of these individual factors on shielding and its interactive effect with anti-shielding in multilayered architectures. Understanding the combined effect on crack growth performance and overall fatigue life controlled by crack propagation provides insight into the generic design of micro-scale layered architectures.

Reviewer #3: "1, The reputable profiles of elements are still present in Fig.4." Response: We have now removed the elemental profiles from the SEM pictures of Fig.4. "4, The reviewer still believe the conclusion of this manuscript should be shorter." Response: We have now made the conclusions 25% shorter and note that at ~450 words this is commensurate with typical length of conclusions for similar length papers previously published in Materials and Design.

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