Degradation Mechanisms, Durability Enhancement and Decommission of Composite Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The extensive use of composite materials across key sectors including aerospace, automotive, wind, and marine, valued for their high performance, has reached a critical juncture. While their adoption grows, managing the significant EoL waste stream from aging structures such as wind turbines and aircraft becomes increasingly urgent, particularly as traditional landfilling faces sustainability pressures, driving the need for circular approaches. Furthermore, maintaining the safety and reliability of these materials in demanding applications hinges on deeply understanding how they degrade under operational stresses and environmental factors. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires a focused examination of the primary degradation mechanisms, including moisture, temperature variations, UV radiation, fatigue, and creep, alongside advancements in durability enhancement via additives and coatings, improved damage assessment (NDT), effective repair techniques, and comprehensive strategies for decommissioning and EoL management.

We are, therefore, interested in articles that investigate degradation mechanisms, durability enhancement, and the decommission of composite materials. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Temperature Effects: Investigating the impact of elevated temperatures, cryogenic conditions, and thermal cycling on composite properties and integrity;

- UV Radiation: Investigating the effects of UV radiation on polymer matrices (photo-oxidation, chain scission, crosslinking) leading to material degradation (discoloration, erosion, micro-cracking, reduced properties), including strategies for surface protection (e.g., coatings, veils);

- Fatigue and Cyclic Loading: Analyzing fatigue behavior and progressive damage accumulation (matrix cracking, interfacial debonding, delamination, fiber fracture) under cyclic loading conditions;

- Creep and Stress Relaxation: Analyzing time-dependent deformation and stress reduction under sustained loads;

- Moisture Absorption (Hygrothermal Effects): Examining the impact of moisture absorption on polymer matrices and interfaces, including plasticization (Tg reduction), swelling, hydrolysis, micro-cracking, and interface degradation, potentially involving chemical reactions such as hydrolysis in certain resins;

- Additives and Modifiers: Exploring the roles of UV stabilizers, antioxidants, flame retardants, moisture-resistant fillers, and other modifiers in enhancing durability and performance;

- Damage Assessment (NDT/NDE): Focusing on developing and applying non-destructive techniques for detecting and characterizing defects, degradation, and residual life;

- Common Repair Techniques: Evaluating the effectiveness, durability, and application of bonded, bolted/riveted, resin infusion, and other repair methodologies for composite structures;

- Decommissioning and End-of-Life (EoL) Management: Addressing logistics, landfill avoidance strategies, advancements in thermal/mechanical/chemical recycling, and innovative reuse and repurposing pathways for composite materials and structures.

Dr. Francisco Lahuerta Calahorra
Dr. Rogier Nijssen
Guest Editors

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• composite materials
• degradation mechanisms
• durability enhancement
• decommissioning
• end-of-life
• aging
• fatigue
• repair techniques
• non-destructive testing
• recycling