Current and Future Developments of Composites Materials: Design, Modelling and Manufacturing Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

During the last thirty years, composite materials have been widely used in different industrial sectors due to their excellent properties in terms of lightness, stiffness, static and fatigue strength, the possibility of designing the material to satisfy prescribed requirements, etc. Although composite materials with high performances are mainly used in the surface and air transport sector, other interesting applications can be found in the field of civil engineering (e.g., in buildings and bridges) or in renewable energy systems and biomechanical devices. Regardless of the application, two factors appear to be decisive for the future of composite materials: the development of modern, rapid and efficient manufacturing methods and the development of materials, design methods and modelling strategy to search for efficient and reliable solutions in terms of performances, waste minimisation and, more generally, in terms of green economy. Recent developments in terms of manufacturing technologies (e.g., out-of-autoclave curing, automated fibre placement and automated tape laying, continuous filament fabrication and other similar additive manufacturing processes, etc.) and material constituents (e.g., renewable raw materials, multi-functional materials, etc.) try to reach these objectives.

This Special Issue aims to provide a clear picture of the research progress on recent and future developments in the field of composites materials. Research articles on analytical, numerical and experimental works aiming at characterising, modelling and designing non-conventional composite materials and manufacturing processes are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Anita Catapano
Guest Editor

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