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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 8867

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Francesca Lionetto

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: material characterization; ultrasonic wave propagation; polymer rheology; curing kinetics of thermosetting matrices; polymer matrix composites; polymer composite processing and joining; heat transfer modelling; polymer based nanocomposites; hybrid welding of dissimilar materials; micro and nanoplastics; sustainability
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Dear Colleagues,

The current demand for lightweight and high-performance structures leads to increasing applications of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), made possible also by novel production methods, automation with repeatable quality, reduced cost of carbon fibers, out-of-autoclave processes like resin transfer molding and resin infusion technologies, re-use of waste fibers, development in preform technology, high-performance fast curing resins, etc.

Moreover, the diffusion of multi-material design, where metallic and non-metallic materials are used together to fabricate the same component, has driven the research towards efficient joining technologies of metals to carbon fiber-reinforced composites. More recently, the introduction of nanofillers into conventional carbon fiber reinforced polymers offers the opportunity for combining the potential benefits of nanoscale reinforcement with well-established fibrous composites to create multi-scale or hierarchical composites, characterized by enhanced structural and functional properties.

This Special Issue aims to present recent advances in carbon fiber reinforced polymers, focusing on the emerging trends both in carbon fibers and matrix development and in composite manufacturing technologies. Original articles and review papers will deal with the following themes without being limited to them:

Processing and characterization of fibers (from low-cost precursors or re-use of waste or recycled carbon) and polymer matrices;
Microstructure evaluation;
Physical and structural characterization and testing;
Optimization of properties and processes including simulation over different length-scales;
Novel applications of carbon fibers reinforced polymers;
Multiscale composites;
Advanced manufacturing processes;
Novel joining methods, cutting-edge joining and assembly processes;
Applications of CFRPs in different fields, also including renewable energy, infrastructure, and transportation;
Durability of carbon fiber reinforced polymers.
recycling of carbon fibers and new end of use solutions
innovative matrices for CFRPs
life cycle assessment.

I kindly invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Francesca Lionetto
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

carbon fibers
thermosetting resins
thermoplastic matrix composites
manufacturing technologies
joining
multiscale composites
recycling
sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers in Materials (32 articles)

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Dispersibility and Chemical Functional Group of Nonwoven Fabrics Composed of Recycled Carbon Fibers

by Kyungeun Kim, Gyungha Kim and Daeup Kim

Materials 2024, 17(17), 4209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174209 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 734

Abstract

In this study, recycled carbon fibers (rCFs) recovered from waste carbon composites were used to manufacture wet-laid nonwoven fabrics. The aim was to improve dispersibility by investigating the changes in the dispersibility of carbon fibers (CFs) based on the content of the dispersant carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and the binder polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the length and basis weight of the CFs. In addition, the chemical property changes and oxygen functional group mechanisms based on the content of the CMC dispersant and PVA binder were investigated. The nonwoven fabrics made with desized CFs exhibited significantly improved dispersibility. For nonwoven fabrics produced with a fixed binder PVA content of 10%, optimal dispersibility was achieved at a dispersant CMC concentration of 0.4%. When the dispersant CMC concentration was fixed at 0.4% and the binder PVA content at 10%, the best dispersibility was observed at a CF length of 3 mm, while the maximum tensile strength was achieved at a fiber length of 6 mm. Dispersibility remained almost consistent across different basis weights. As the dispersant CMC concentration increased from 0.2% to 0.6%, the oxygen functional groups, such as carbonyl group (C=O), lactone group (O=C-O), and natrium hydroxide (NaOH), also increased. However, hydroxyl group (C-O) decreased. Moreover, the contact angle decreased, while the surface free energy increased. On the other hand, when the dispersant CMC concentration was fixed at 0.4%, the optimal binder PVA content was found to be 3%. As the binder PVA content increased from 0% to 10%, the formation of hydrogen bonds between the CMC dispersant and the PVA binder led to an increase in C=O and O=C-O bonds, while C-O and NaOH decreased. As the amount of oxygen increased, the contact angle decreased and the surface free energy increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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11 pages, 3260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Fiber–Matrix Interface Strength via Single-Fiber Pull-Out Test in 3D-Printed Thermoset Composites: A Simplified Methodology

by Kaan Nuhoglu, Neyton M. Baltodano, Jr. and Emrah Celik

Materials 2024, 17(10), 2433; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102433 - 18 May 2024

Viewed by 1196

Abstract

The emergence of additive manufacturing technologies for fiber-reinforced thermoset composites has greatly bolstered their utilization, particularly within the aerospace industry. However, the ability to precisely measure the interface strength between the fiber and thermoset matrix in additively manufactured composites has been constrained by the cumbersome nature of single-fiber pull-out experiments and the need for costly instrumentation. This study aims to introduce a novel methodology for conducting single-fiber pull-out tests aimed at quantifying interface shear strength in additively manufactured thermoset composites. Our findings substantiate the viability of this approach, showcasing successful fiber embedding within composite test specimens and precise characterization of fiber pull-out strength using a conventional mechanical testing system. The test outcome revealed an average interfacial strength value of 2.4 MPa between carbon fiber and the thermoset epoxy matrix, aligning with similar studies in the existing literature. The outcome of this study offers an affordable and versatile test methodology to revolutionize composite material fabrication for superior mechanical performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 25317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimising Recycling Processes for Polyimine-Based Vitrimer Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Composites: A Comparative Study on Reinforcement Recovery and Material Properties

by Ákos Pomázi, Dániel István Poór, Norbert Geier and Andrea Toldy

Materials 2024, 17(10), 2372; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102372 - 15 May 2024

Viewed by 1048

Abstract

We investigated the recycling process of carbon fibre-reinforced polyimine vitrimer composites and compared composites made from virgin and recycled fibres. The vitrimer matrix consisted of a two-component polyimine-type vitrimer system, and as reinforcing materials, we used nonwoven felt and unidirectional carbon fibre. Various diethylenetriamine (DETA) and xylene solvent ratios were examined to find the optimal dissolution conditions. The 20:80 DETA–xylene ratio provided efficient dissolution, and the elevated temperature (80 °C) significantly accelerated the process. Scaling up to larger composite structures was demonstrated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed effective matrix removal, with minimal residue on carbon fibre surfaces and good adhesion in recycled composites. The recycled nonwoven composite exhibited a decreased glass transition temperature due to the residual solvents in the matrix, while the UD composite showed a slight increase. Dynamic mechanical analysis on the recycled composite showed an increased storage modulus for nonwoven composites at room temperature and greater resistance to deformation at elevated temperatures for the UD composites. Interlaminar shear tests indicated slightly reduced adhesion strength in the reprocessed composites. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of recycling vitrimer composites, emphasising the need for further optimisation to ensure environmental and economic sustainability while mitigating residual solvent and matrix effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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19 pages, 18262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Core–Shell Rubber Nanoparticle-Modified CFRP/Steel Ambient-Cured Adhesive Joints: Curing Kinetics and Mechanical Behavior

by Abass Abayomi Okeola, Jorge E. Hernandez-Limon and Jovan Tatar

Materials 2024, 17(3), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030749 - 4 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1523

Abstract

Externally bonded wet-layup carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening systems are extensively used in concrete structures but have not found widespread use in deficient steel structures. To address the challenges of the adhesive bonding of wet-layup CFRP to steel substrates, this study investigated the [...] Read more.

T_{g}

) and mechanical properties of ambient-cured epoxy/CSR blends. The effects of silane coupling agent and CSR on the adhesive bond properties of CFRP/steel joints were also investigated. The results indicate that CSR nanoparticles have a mild catalytic effect on the curing kinetics of epoxy under ambient conditions. The effect of CSR on the

T_{g}

of epoxy was negligible. Epoxy adhesives modified with 5 to 20%wt. of CSR nanoparticles were characterized with improved ductility over brittle neat epoxy; however, the addition of CSR nanoparticles reduced tensile strength and modulus of the adhesives. An up to 250% increase in the single-lap shear strength of CFRP/steel joints was accomplished in CSR-modified joints over neat epoxy adhesive joints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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18 pages, 20311 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Study on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates at Ultra-Low Temperatures

by Wenhao Zhao, Sanchun Lin, Wenfeng Wang, Yifan Yang, Xuan Yan and Heng Yang

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072654 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

This study uses experimental methods, theoretical research, and numerical prediction to study the dynamic mechanical properties and damage evolution of CFRP laminates at ultra-low temperatures. Based on the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) device, we set up an ultra-low temperature dynamic experimental platform with a synchronous observation function; the dynamic mechanical properties of laminates were tested, and the damage evolution process was observed. The experimental results are as follows: The compression strength and modulus increase linearly with the increase in strain rate and show a quadratic function trend of increasing and then decreasing with the decrease in temperature. The damage degree of the dynamic bending sample increases obviously with the impact velocity and decreases first and then increases with the decrease in temperature. Based on the low-temperature dynamic damage constitutive, failure criterion, and interlayer interface damage constitutive of the laminates, a numerical model was established to predict the dynamic mechanical properties and damage evolution process of CFRP laminates at ultra-low temperatures, and the finite element analysis (FEA) results are consistent with the experimental results. The results of this paper strongly support the application and safety evaluation of CFRP composites in extreme environments, such as deep space exploration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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11 pages, 6832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Optimization of Drilling Parameters for Laminated Composite Materials

by Jiali Yu, Tao Chen and Yiming Zhao

Materials 2023, 16(5), 1796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16051796 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1501

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites have been widely used in aerospace, construction, transportation and other industries due to their excellent mechanical properties and flexible structural design. However, due to the influence of the molding process, the composites are easily delaminated, which greatly reduces the structural stiffness of the components. This is a common problem in the processing of fiber-reinforced composite components. In this paper, through the combination of finite element simulation analysis and experimental research, drilling parameter analysis was carried out for prefabricated laminated composites, and the influence of different processing parameters on the processing axial force was qualitatively compared. The inhibition rule of variable parameter drilling on the damage propagation of initial laminated drilling was explored, which further improves the drilling connection quality of composite panels with laminated materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (2nd Edition))

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