Polymer Composites: Fiber Architecture, Interfacial Engineering, and Processing

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 264

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Interests: self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers; biopolymer structure, phase transitions, and rheology; polymeric steric/entropic repulsion in colloidal systems; nanocellulose chemistry, alteration, and performance
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Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Interests: organic and inorganic polymer; composite; nanomaterial; functional material
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Guest Editor
Natural Bioactive Materials Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
Interests: polymer composites; nanocomposites; biocomposites; fire-retardant polymers
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composites are increasingly central to high-performance applications across sectors, from transportation, energy, and construction to consumer goods and emerging technologies. This Special Issue invites original research on advances in fiber-reinforced polymer composites, with a focus on materials design, interfacial phenomena, and scalable processing technologies. We encourage submissions addressing a wide range of fiber types, including glass; carbon; aramid; basalt; natural polymer fibers; ultra-high-strength monocrystalline fibers, such as silicon carbide; and high-performance polyethylene. The interactions between fiber architecture and polymer matrix structure, including thermosets and thermoplastics, crystallinity, cross-linking density, and contraction behavior, are a key determinant of composite performance and reliability.

A major theme of this Issue is fiber–matrix adhesion. We welcome investigations into chemical bonding, mechanical interlocking, reactive interface chemistry (e.g., acid treatments), and electrostatic effects. Contributions addressing the influence of fiber dimensions, orientation (random, unidirectional, orthogonal), surface preparation (e.g., organosilanes, phosphates, titanates), and polymer viscosity or wettability on adhesion and overall composite strength are encouraged. The relationships between microstructural parameters—such as fiber length, diameter, content, and spatial distribution—and mechanical properties, particularly tensile and impact strength, are also of interest. Studies that link interfacial engineering to durability, environmental resistance, or regulatory standards are highly relevant to both applied research and policy development.

We invite contributions on composite processing techniques, covering both established and emerging methods. For thermosetting systems, this includes manual lay-up, spray lay-up, vacuum infusion, the autoclave consolidation of prepregs, compression molding, pultrusion, sheet molding compounds, and filament winding. For thermoplastic composites, injection molding and extrusion are of particular interest, especially in relation to fiber dispersion, orientation, and interface control. Contributions bridging fundamental understanding and practical technology for large-scale manufacturing, performance standards, or life-cycle considerations are encouraged.

Dr. Kristofer Paso
Dr. Patrycja Bazan
Dr. P. M. Visakh
Guest Editors

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. Journal of Composites Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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
  • fiber composites
  • polyethylene
  • fiber-reinforced
  • mechanical properties
  • composite processing techniques

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 2875 KiB  
Article
Potential Use of Residual Powder Generated in Cork Stopper Industry as Valuable Additive to Develop Biomass-Based Composites for Injection Molding
by Ismael Romero-Ocaña, Miriam Herrera, Natalia Fernández-Delgado and Sergio I. Molina
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(7), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9070330 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 139
Abstract
This study presents the development of a sustainable composite material by incorporating by-products from the cork industry into acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of plastic composites while maintaining their performance. ABS, a petroleum-based polymer, was used [...] Read more.
This study presents the development of a sustainable composite material by incorporating by-products from the cork industry into acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of plastic composites while maintaining their performance. ABS, a petroleum-based polymer, was used as the matrix, and maleic anhydride (MAH) with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) served as a compatibilizing system to improve interfacial adhesion with cork microparticles. Composites were prepared with 10% w/w cork in various particle sizes and characterized via FTIR, X-ray computed tomography, SEM, mechanical testing, and thermal analysis. The best performing formulation (CPC-125) showed a reduction of only ~16% in tensile modulus and ~7% in tensile strength compared with ABS-g-MAH, with a more pronounced decrease in strain at break (3.23% vs. 17.47%) due to the cork’s inherent rigidity. Thermogravimetric and calorimetric analysis confirmed that thermal stability and processing temperatures remained largely unaffected. These results demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating cork microparticles as a bio-based reinforcing filler in ABS composites, offering a promising strategy to reduce the use of virgin plastics in applications compatible with conventional injection molding. Full article
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