Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume)

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2024) | Viewed by 11661

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pietro Russo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Council of Research, Pozzuoli, Italy
Interests: polymer composites; microstructure; thermal properties; mechanical properties; microscopy; fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs); reinforcement; interface microstructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the increasing demand for high-performing materials and structures has stoked interest in the development and use of polymer composites in a wide range of industrial fields. These materials, combining at least two different phases, have the peculiarity to meet diverse design requirements with significant weight savings as well as a high strength-to-weight ratio. However, despite these strengths, some features, such as the difficult prediction of durability under structural loads, still severely limit their use.

This consideration is even more true for eco-friendly composites more recently developed in light of environmental concerns aimed at preserving fossil resources in favor of renewable ones. Their increased attraction is witnessed by numerous papers dealing with composites from biomatrices and/or reinforced with natural fibers in place of synthetic ones, but this trend is not yet reflected in a relevant range of industrial applications because of many challenges such as moisture, weathering, and biological attacks.

A further extension of the composites market cannot ignore a careful estimate of microstructural details, as well as a preliminary analysis of the final performances, especially in terms of thermal and mechanical properties.

This Special Issue aims at collecting recent advancements made in the field of polymer composites through both original research papers and reviews.

Dr. Pietro Russo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

polymer composites
microstructure
thermal properties
mechanical properties
microscopy
fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs)
reinforcement
interface microstructure

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties in Materials (12 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 5425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Epoxy Resin on the Burning Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Aramid Fiber Composite

by Xuke Lan, Chenxi Bian, Yunxian Yang, Qi Zhang and Guangyan Huang

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4028; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164028 - 13 Aug 2024

Viewed by 398

Abstract

Aramid fiber/epoxy resin (AF/EP) composite has been heavily used as an impact protection material due to its excellent mechanical properties and lightweight merits. Meanwhile, it is also necessary to concern the flammability of matrix resin and the wick effect of aramid fiber, which would constitute a fire risk in harsh environments. In this work, a multifunctional flame-retardant modifier (EAD) was incorporated into the AF/EP system to improve the flame retardation. The addition of 5 wt% EAD made the AF/EP composite exhibit a high limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 37.5%, self-extinguishment, as well as decreased total heat release and total smoke release. The results from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that the treated composites maintained good thermal stability. Due to the combined action of covalent and noncovalent bonds in the matrix-rich region, the interfacial bonding improved, which endowed AF/EP composite with strengthening and toughening effects. Compared with the control sample AF/EP, the tensile strength and ballistic parameter (V₅₀) of the sample with 5 wt% EAD increased by 17% and 10%, accompanied with ductile failure mode. Furthermore, the flame-retardant mechanism was obtained by analyzing the actions in condensed and gaseous phases. Thanks to good compatibility and interfacial adhesion, the incorporation of EAD solved the inconsistent issue between flame retardancy and mechanical properties, which further expanded the application of AF/EP composite in the protection field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rate-Dependent Tensile Properties of Aluminum-Hydroxide-Enhanced Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Coatings for Solid Rocket Motors

by Ran Wang, Yiming Zhang, Ningfei Wang and Yi Wu

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3790; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153790 - 1 Aug 2024

Viewed by 370

Abstract

Quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests on aluminum-hydroxide-enhanced ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) coatings were conducted using a universal testing machine and a Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB) over a strain rate range of 10⁻³ to 10³ s⁻¹. This comprehensive study explored the tensile performance of enhanced EPDM coatings in solid rocket motors. The results demonstrated a significant impact of strain rate on the mechanical properties of EPDM coatings. To capture the hyperelastic and viscoelastic characteristics of EPDM coatings at large strains, the Ogden hyperelastic model was used to replace the standard elastic component to develop an enhanced Zhu–Wang–Tang (ZWT) nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model. The model parameters were fitted using a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The improved constitutive model’s predictions closely matched the experimental data, accurately capturing stress–strain responses and inflection points. It effectively predicts the tensile behavior of aluminum-hydroxide-enhanced EPDM coatings within a 20% strain range and a wide strain rate range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Chemical Treatments on the Mechanical Properties of Jute/Polyester Composites

by André Luis Lima Flores, Agnė Kairytė, Jurga Šeputytė-Jucikė, Sylwia Makowska, Alessandra Lavoratti, Rafael de Avila Delucis and Sandro Campos Amico

Materials 2024, 17(10), 2320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102320 - 14 May 2024

Viewed by 858

Abstract

Natural fiber composites have been extensively studied for structural applications, with recent exploration into their potential for various uses. This study investigates the impact of chemical treatments on the properties of Brazilian jute woven fabric/polyester resin composites. Sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid were utilized to treat the jute fabrics, followed by resin transfer molding (RTM) to form the composites. Evaluation included water absorption, flexural strength, tensile strength, and short-beam strength. The alkaline treatment induced changes in the chemical composition of the fibers’ surface. Chemical treatments resulted in increased flexural and short-beam strength of the composites, with no significant alterations in tensile properties. The hydrogen peroxide treatment exhibited lower water absorption, suggesting its potential as a viable option for enhancing the performance of these composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 5691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polymer-Infiltrated Tetrapodal Zinc Oxide in Different Variants

by Franziska Scherer, Sebastian Wille, Lena Saure, Fabian Schütt, Benjamin Wellhäußer, Rainer Adelung and Matthias Kern

Materials 2024, 17(9), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092112 - 29 Apr 2024

Viewed by 746

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of weight ratio, the shape of the precursor particles, and the application of a phosphate-monomer-containing primer on the mechanical properties of polymer infiltrated ceramic networks (PICNs) using zinc oxide. Two different types of zinc oxide particles were used as precursors to produce zinc oxide networks by sintering, each with two different densities resulting in two different weight ratios of the PICNs. For each of these different networks, two subgroups were built: one involving the application of a phosphate-monomer-containing primer prior to the infiltration of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA and one without. Elastic modulus and flexural strength were determined by using the three-point bending test. Vertical substance loss determined by the chewing simulation was evaluated with a laser scanning microscope. There was a statistically significant influence of the type of precursor particles on the flexural strength and in some cases on the elastic modulus. The application of a primer lead to a significant increase in the flexural strength and in most cases also in the elastic modulus. A higher weight ratio of zinc oxide led to a significantly higher elastic modulus. Few statistically significant differences were found for the vertical substance loss. By varying the shape of the particles and the weight fraction of zinc oxide, the mechanical properties of the investigated PICN can be controlled. The use of a phosphate-monomer-containing primer strengthens the bond between the infiltrated polymer and the zinc oxide, thus increasing the strength of the composite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 15319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Additive Manufacturing of Composite Polymers: Thermomechanical FEA and Experimental Study

by Saeed Behseresht and Young Ho Park

Materials 2024, 17(8), 1912; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081912 - 20 Apr 2024

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1379

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive approach for simulating the additive manufacturing process of semi-crystalline composite polymers using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). By combining thermomechanical Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with experimental validation, our main objective is to comprehend and model the complex behaviors of 50 wt.% carbon fiber-reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide (CF PPS) during FDM printing. The simulations of the FDM process encompass various theoretical aspects, including heat transfer, orthotropic thermal properties, thermal dissipation mechanisms, polymer crystallization, anisotropic viscoelasticity, and material shrinkage. We utilize Abaqus user subroutines such as UMATHT for thermal orthotropic constitutive behavior, UEPACTIVATIONVOL for progressive activation of elements, and ORIENT for material orientation. Mechanical behavior is characterized using a Maxwell model for viscoelastic materials, incorporating a dual non-isothermal crystallization kinetics model within the UMAT subroutine. Our approach is validated by comparing nodal temperature distributions obtained from both the Abaqus built-in AM Modeler and our user subroutines, showing close agreement and demonstrating the effectiveness of our simulation methods. Experimental verification further confirms the accuracy of our simulation techniques. The mechanical analysis investigates residual stresses and distortions, with particular emphasis on the critical transverse in-plane stress component. This study offers valuable insights into accurately simulating thermomechanical behaviors in additive manufacturing of composite polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 6627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characterization of Quartz-Reinforced Hybrid Composites Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resin from Post-Consumer PET Recyclate

by Przemysław Pączkowski and Karolina Głogowska

Materials 2024, 17(5), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051116 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1021

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research on hybrid composites made of unsaturated polyester resin based on post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate). The polymeric materials were reinforced with quartz flour, which is a common inorganic mineral filler. An environmentally friendly cobalt polymer solution was used to cure the polyester matrix. The results showed the quantitative influence of the quartz filler on the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of the quartz–polyester composites. A change in the surface wettability and the polarity of the polymeric materials was also noticed, with some deterioration of their gloss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 5740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication and Characterization of Diaphragm Headphones Based on Graphene Nanocomposites

by Shun-Fa Hwang, Hsien-Kuang Liu, Wei-Chong Liao and Yi Kai Cheng

Materials 2024, 17(4), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040933 - 17 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1081

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to fabricate innovative diaphragm headphones using graphene oxide paper (GOP) and GOP/epoxy nanocomposites (GOPC). Initially, graphene oxide suspension is fabricated, and the vacuum filtration method is adopted to make GOP. Then, vacuum bag molding is used to fabricate GOPC from GOP. Hot pressing and associated molds are adopted to fabricate line-indented (GOPC-L) or curve-indented patterns (GOPC-C) on the GOPC. The performances of one kind of GOP and three kinds of GOPC diaphragm headphones are analyzed based on their sound pressure level (SPL) curves achieved by the Soundcheck measurement system. There are four important processing parameters that will influence the performance of the diaphragm, including material type GOP versus GOPC, indented pattern type, sonication time on suspension, and graphene weight fraction in suspension. Compliances of various diaphragms are measured by the Klippel LPM laser measurement system. The results indicate that effects of sonication time and graphene weight fraction on SPL of GOP and GOPC headphones are in reverse, and this is associated with their difference on compliance (modulus), mass, damping ratio, and microstructure uniformity. Either GOPC-L or GOPC-C seems to improve the microstructure of the GOPC, and leads to better SPL performance. The correlation between the previous four factors and SPLs of four kinds of diaphragm headphones is proposed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the microstructure of these diaphragms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 10334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flame-Retardant and Transparent Unsaturated Polyester Based on P/N Liquid Flame Retardants and Modified Halloysite Nanotubes

by Yanli Dou, Aixun Ju, Zheng Zhong, Yutong Huo and Weiguo Yao

Materials 2024, 17(3), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030761 - 5 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) with excellent flame retardant is mainly obtained by adding large amounts of flame retardants, usually at the expense of mechanical properties. In this work, a reactive flame retardant containing phosphorus and nitrogen (DOPO-N) was successfully synthesized and incorporated in UPR as a crosslinker. The mechanical and flame-retardant properties of UPR composites were enhanced. UPR/30DOPO-N passed a UL-94 V-1 rating with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 30.8%. The tensile strength of UPR/30DOPO-N increased by 24.4%. On this basis, a small amount of modified HNTs (VHNTs) was added to further improve the flame-retardant properties of the composite. With the introduction of 3 wt% VHNTs, the composite passed the UL-94 V-0 rating. The peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of it decreased by 60.7% and 48.3%, respectively. Moreover, the detailed flame-retarding mechanism of DOPO-N and VHNTs was investigated by thermogravimetric infrared spectroscopy (TG-IR), Raman spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that DOPO-N played a role in quenching the flame in the gas phase and cooperated with VHNTs to enhance the barrier effect in the condensed phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 9744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Non-Linear Elasticity of Unidirectional Continuous Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Composites and of Carbon Fibres

by Vincent Keryvin and Adrien Marchandise

Materials 2024, 17(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010034 - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 910

Abstract

A database of non-linear elastic parameters in axial tension and compression is provided for continuous carbon fibre polymer composites and carbon fibres of different stiffnesses. Composite laminates manufactured by conventional or automated processes are tested in bending, and parameters are extracted for strains of less than 0.5%. While fibre composites with fibres of standard and intermediate moduli exhibit a stiffening of ∼15 GPa/% (of strain) and a softening of ∼20 GPa/%, those with high-modulus carbon fibres exhibit much higher values of ∼50 GPa/% for both. This database is useful for designing composite structures in a stiffness-based design and for correlating the processing of carbon fibres with their nanostructure and induced properties. The latter is discussed in terms of reorientation of crystallites of graphene sheets vis-à-vis the carbon fibre axis during loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 15406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Study of Healing Effect on Delamination Defect in Infusible Thermoplastic Composite Laminates

by Paulius Griskevicius, Kestutis Spakauskas, Swarup Mahato, Valdas Grigaliunas, Renaldas Raisutis, Darius Eidukynas, Dariusz M. Perkowski and Andrius Vilkauskas

Materials 2023, 16(20), 6764; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206764 - 19 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1301

Abstract

The integrity of delaminated composite structures can be restored by introducing a thermally-based healing effect on continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPC). The phenomenon of thermoplastics retaining their properties after melting and consolidation has been applied by heating the delaminated composite plates above their glass transition temperature under pressure. In the current investigation, the composite is comprised of Methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based infusible lamination resin combined with benzoyl peroxide initiator, which polymerizes into a Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. For the reinforcement, unidirectional 220 gr/m² glass filament fabric was used. Delamination damage is artificially induced during the fabrication of laminate plates. The distributed delamination region before and after thermally activated healing was determined by using non-destructive testing with active thermography. An experimental approach is employed to characterize the thermal healing effect on mechanical properties. Experimentally determined technological parameters for thermal healing have been successfully applied to repair delamination defects on composite plates. Based on the compression-after-impact (CAI) test methodology, the intact, damaged, and healed composite laminates were loaded cyclically to evaluate the healing effect on stiffness and strength. During the CAI test, the 3D digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used to measure the displacement and deformation fields. Experimental results reveal the difference between the behavior of healed and damaged specimens. Additionally, the numerical models of intact, damaged, and healed composite laminates were developed using the finite element code LS-Dyna. Numerical models with calibrated material properties and tie-break contact constants provide good correlation with experimental results and allow for the prediction of the mechanical behavior of intact, damaged, and healed laminated plates. The comparison analysis based on CAI test results and modal characteristics obtained by the 3D Laser Doppler Vibrometer (Polytec GmbH, Karlsbad, Germany) proved that thermal healing partially restores the mechanical properties of damaged laminate plates. In contrast, active thermography does not necessarily indicate a healing effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 1671 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Angle Deviations of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Angular Laminates

by Shun-Fa Hwang

Materials 2023, 16(13), 4844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134844 - 5 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1409

Abstract

After manufacturing, fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminates may have residual stresses, resulting in warpage in flat structures and angle changes in angular sections. These shape distortions may cause fitting mismatch problems under high-level assembly, and extra efforts to fix these problems may be needed. The present paper only makes an overview of the angle deviation of angular composite laminates made of either thermoset matrix with autoclave curing or thermoplastic matrix with thermoforming. Depending on the positive or negative angle deviation, spring-back or spring-in behavior is observed. There are many parameters, including intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, that could affect the angle deviation. In the first part of this review paper, experimental results concerning the effects of the part angle, part thickness, lay-up sequence, corner angle, flange size, tool material, tool surface, and cure cycle are summarized. Spring-in angles are generally obtained in this part. In the second part, several prediction methods, such as simple equations and finite element methods, are compared to indicate the considered parameters. Some have good agreement and some have larger errors. The crucial differences may be dependent on the micromechanical theories and the input properties of the composite and the constituents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Polymer Composites: Microstructural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties (Second Volume)

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI