Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Information

1. What is Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP)?

Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published by Sunlit Grove Publishing.

The journal focuses on research related to:

• Welding and joining technologies

• Brazing and soldering

• Additive manufacturing and repair

• Surface engineering and coatings

• Corrosion science and corrosion protection

• Structural integrity and failure analysis

• Industrial applications of joining and corrosion control

2. Is JCP an Open Access journal?

Yes.

JCP is a fully Gold Open Access journal. All published articles are freely available online immediately upon publication without subscription fees or access restrictions.

3. What license does JCP use?

All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.

This allows readers to read, share, distribute, reuse, and adapt published content provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors.

4. Do authors retain copyright?

Yes.

Authors retain copyright of their work. Authors grant the Publisher a non-exclusive license to publish and archive the article.

Submission and Review

1. How do I submit a manuscript?

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's online submission system.

Submissions by email are not accepted except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Editorial Office.

2. What article types does JCP accept?

JCP currently accepts:

• Research Articles

• Review Articles

• Short Communications

• Case Studies

Please refer to the Author Guidelines for detailed requirements.

3. Which file formats are accepted?

The journal accepts:

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• LaTeX source files

• PDF files for review purposes

4. What peer review model does JCP use?

JCP uses a Single-Blind Peer Review process.

Reviewers know the identities of the authors, but authors do not know the identities of the reviewers.

5. How many reviewers evaluate each manuscript?

Normally, each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent expert reviewers.

Additional reviewers may be invited when reviews are conflicting or further expertise is required.

6. How long does the review process take?

Although timelines may vary, the journal aims to provide a first editorial decision within 4–8 weeks after submission.

The actual duration depends on reviewer availability, revision requirements, and manuscript complexity.

7. Can I suggest reviewers?

Yes.

Authors may suggest potential reviewers during submission. However, the final selection of reviewers remains entirely at the discretion of the editorial team.

8. Can I submit a manuscript that has been posted as a preprint?

Yes.

JCP allows submission of manuscripts that have previously been deposited on recognized preprint servers such as arXiv, engrXiv, SSRN, or other discipline-specific repositories.

Authors should disclose the existence of the preprint during submission.

Publication Ethics

1. Does the journal screen for plagiarism?

Yes.

All submissions may be checked using plagiarism detection tools and editorial assessment procedures before entering peer review.

2. Does the journal have an AI policy?

Yes.

Authors must disclose any use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in manuscript preparation.

AI systems cannot be listed as authors and may not assume responsibility for scholarly content.

Please see the journal's AI Policy for details.

3. What happens if research misconduct is suspected?

The journal investigates allegations of plagiarism, fabricated data, image manipulation, authorship disputes, peer review manipulation, and other forms of research misconduct in accordance with publication ethics standards.

Depending on the outcome, manuscripts may be rejected or published articles may be corrected, retracted, or subject to an Expression of Concern.

Open Access and APCs

1. Does JCP charge an Article Processing Charge (APC)?

JCP currently operates under a launch promotion period.

Articles accepted on or before 31 July 2027 are published free of charge.

2. What will the APC be after the launch period?

Beginning 1 August 2027, the standard APC is expected to be USD 800 per accepted article.

Any future changes will be announced on the journal website.

3. Are APC waivers available?

Yes.

Full or partial APC waivers may be available for:

• Authors from low-income economies

• Early-career researchers

• Invited authors

• Special promotional programs

Waiver requests should be submitted before peer review begins.

4. Does paying an APC influence editorial decisions?

No.

Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal scope.

Payment of APCs has no influence on acceptance or rejection decisions.

Publication and Indexing

1. Does JCP assign DOIs?

Yes.

Published articles are assigned Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to ensure persistent citation and discoverability.

2. Is JCP applying for an ISSN?

Yes.

The journal is currently undergoing the ISSN registration process.

The ISSN will be displayed on the journal website once officially assigned.

3. Is JCP indexed in Scopus or Web of Science?

As a newly established journal, JCP is currently focused on building a high-quality publication record and editorial foundation.

Applications to indexing and abstracting databases will be considered after the journal has established a consistent publication history.

4. How soon after acceptance will my article be published?

Following acceptance and completion of production, articles are typically published online within a few working days after author proof approval.

Editorial Board and Reviewers

1. How can I join the Editorial Board?

Researchers with relevant expertise and a strong publication record may contact the Editorial Office or be invited by the Editor-in-Chief.

Editorial Board appointments are based on scholarly qualifications and the needs of the journal.

2. How can I become a reviewer?

Researchers with expertise in joining technologies, corrosion science, materials engineering, or related fields are welcome to register as reviewers.

Reviewer applications may be submitted through the journal website or by contacting the Editorial Office.

Contact

How can I contact the journal?

Editorial Office

Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP)

Email: jcp@sunlitpub.com

Publisher: Sunlit Grove Publishing