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J. Compos. Sci.
Special Issues
Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions
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Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 3086

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chensong Dong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
Interests: composites; hybrid; natural; optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of the Journal of Composites Science dedicated to the evolving field of hybrid composite materials, encompassing both traditional approaches and emerging methodologies. This Special Issue aims to showcase high-quality research ranging from fundamental experimental and analytical studies to advanced data-driven, intelligent, and sustainable solutions for hybrid composites.

Hybrid composites, which combine multiple material systems to achieve synergistic and tailored properties, have long been a subject of active research due to their ability to overcome the limitations of individual constituent materials. Conventional studies focusing on material design, manufacturing processes, microstructural characterisation, mechanical, thermal, and durability performance, as well as application-driven investigations, remain highly relevant and strongly encouraged.

At the same time, recent advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation are opening new pathways for accelerated materials discovery, predictive performance modelling, and intelligent manufacturing of hybrid composites. In parallel, increasing emphasis on sustainability and circular economy principles is driving research into bio-based, recycled, and low-carbon hybrid composite systems.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions covering a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Experimental, analytical, and numerical studies of hybrid composites
  • Traditional materials design, processing, and characterisation techniques
  • Mechanical, thermal, environmental, and long-term performance evaluation
  • AI- and machine-learning-assisted materials design and optimisation
  • Multiscale modelling, data-driven approaches, and digital twins
  • Intelligent manufacturing, process monitoring, and quality assurance
  • Sustainable hybrid composites, life-cycle assessment, and eco-design
  • Novel hybrid architectures, processing routes, and application case studies

By bringing together established methodologies and emerging technologies, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state and future directions of hybrid composites research.

We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners from academia and industry to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies. Through this collective effort, the Special Issue seeks to foster knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continued advancement of hybrid composite materials for both high-performance and sustainable applications.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Chensong Dong
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • experimental, analytical, and numerical studies of hybrid composites
  • traditional materials design, processing, and characterisation techniques
  • mechanical, thermal, environmental, and long-term performance evaluation
  • AI- and machine-learning-assisted materials design and optimisation
  • multiscale modelling, data-driven approaches, and digital twins
  • intelligent manufacturing, process monitoring, and quality assurance
  • sustainable hybrid composites, life-cycle assessment, and eco-design
  • novel hybrid architectures, processing routes, and application case studies

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  • 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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

20 pages, 4161 KB  
Article
Flexural Behaviour of Carbon/Glass Intralayer Hybrid Composites: Effects of Hybrid Ratio and Fibre Dispersion
by Chensong Dong
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050242 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 547
Abstract
Intralayer hybridisation provides a powerful strategy for tailoring the stiffness–strength–ductility balance of fibre-reinforced composites through architecture control. This study investigates the flexural behaviour of carbon/glass intralayer hybrid composites with varying carbon-to-glass (C:G) ratios and degrees of dispersion using a finite element modelling framework [...] Read more.
Intralayer hybridisation provides a powerful strategy for tailoring the stiffness–strength–ductility balance of fibre-reinforced composites through architecture control. This study investigates the flexural behaviour of carbon/glass intralayer hybrid composites with varying carbon-to-glass (C:G) ratios and degrees of dispersion using a finite element modelling framework supported by experimental validation against published flexural test data. Four hybrid ratios (C:G = 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4) and multiple dispersion levels were examined under three-point bending to quantify the effects of intralayer architecture on flexural strength, modulus, and strain to failure. The results show that carbon-rich hybrids retain high flexural stiffness and strength while achieving substantial improvements in failure strain and damage tolerance compared with pure carbon laminates. In these systems, flexural strength is strongly influenced by dispersion, with moderate-to-high dispersion improving strain compatibility, delaying tensile-side carbon fibre fracture, and enhancing strength. In contrast, glass-dominated hybrids exhibit flexural behaviour that is largely insensitive to dispersion, with strength and modulus following near rule-of-mixtures trends and failure governed by progressive glass fibre and matrix damage. Across all hybrid ratios, flexural modulus is controlled primarily by fibre volume fraction, whereas flexural strength and failure strain depend sensitively on intralayer architecture when carbon fibres remain the dominant load-bearing phase. These findings clarify the respective roles of hybrid ratio and dispersion in governing flexural performance and extend recent studies by demonstrating a systematic transition from dispersion-dominated to ratio-dominated behaviour as glass content increases. The results provide mechanistic insight and practical design guidance for optimising intralayer hybrid composites for lightweight, damage-tolerant structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions)
26 pages, 33913 KB  
Article
Open-Hole Tension/Compression Response of Hybrid Pseudo-Woven Meso-Architectured Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminates Manufactured via Automated Fiber Placement
by Karan Kodagali, Cyrus Vakili Rad and Subramani Sockalingam
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050222 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 625
Abstract
Hybrid composite laminates combining pseudo-woven meso-architectured composite (MAC) and unidirectional (UD) sub-laminates manufactured via automated fiber (AFP) placement are attractive as they combine the increased toughness of MAC and higher stiffness of UD while also reducing the manufacturing time. MACs are manufactured via [...] Read more.
Hybrid composite laminates combining pseudo-woven meso-architectured composite (MAC) and unidirectional (UD) sub-laminates manufactured via automated fiber (AFP) placement are attractive as they combine the increased toughness of MAC and higher stiffness of UD while also reducing the manufacturing time. MACs are manufactured via a modified AFP process involving tow skips to create a woven-like architecture using unidirectional tows and introduce shallow crimp angles and complex fiber angle distributions in the architecture. Previous studies on hybrid MAC laminates have shown increased impact damage resistance/tolerance under high- and low-velocity impacts. This work presents an experimental study on the open-hole tension (OHT) and open-hole compression (OHC) response of T800-SC-24k carbon/epoxy laminates of nominal thickness 4.55 mm manufactured via AFP manufacturing. Two hybrid laminate configurations consisting of a UD core and pseudo-woven MAC sub-laminates on the outer surfaces are compared against a traditional UD quasi-isotropic control laminate. One of the hybrid laminate configurations has a plain-woven-like architecture while the other has a complex 3D woven type architecture. The hybrid laminates exhibited a marginal 7% increase in OHT strength and up to a 16% reduction in normal loading direction strains around the hole relative to the control. All three configurations showed comparable OHC strengths. Despite the complex meso-architecture of the MAC sub-laminates, failure in both OHT and OHC is found to be governed primarily by the UD core, which dominates load-carrying capability and failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate that the hybrid laminates maintained or improved in-plane OHT/OHC performance while previously demonstrating better damage resistance and tolerance under impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions)
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Review

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35 pages, 1483 KB  
Review
Cross-Study Machine Learning Analysis of Structure–Property–Performance Relationships in Macroporous PolyHIPE-Based Magnetic Polymer Composites
by Carolina L. Recio-Colmenares, Roxana B. Recio-Colmenares and César A. García-García
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030128 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 749
Abstract
Elucidating the complex structure–property–performance relationships in multifunctional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) remains a formidable challenge. This difficulty stems from the intricate coupling between formulation variables, porous morphology, physicochemical attributes, and functional outcomes, particularly under the “small-data” constraints inherent to experimental materials research. This [...] Read more.
Elucidating the complex structure–property–performance relationships in multifunctional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) remains a formidable challenge. This difficulty stems from the intricate coupling between formulation variables, porous morphology, physicochemical attributes, and functional outcomes, particularly under the “small-data” constraints inherent to experimental materials research. This study introduces a robust, interpretable machine learning (ML) framework tailored for the analysis of macroporous polyHIPE-based magnetic composites. All analyses were conducted exclusively on curated experimental data reported in the literature. By leveraging a curated dataset synthesized from multiple independent studies with harmonized characterization protocols, we integrated processing parameters and quantitative morphological descriptors to predict two critical engineering outputs: dye removal efficiency (%) and saturation magnetization (Ms). Nonlinear ensemble ML models were rigorously trained and evaluated using repeated cross-validation and cross-study validation strategies to ensure predictive robustness and domain transferability. The superior performance of nonlinear models over linear baselines underscores that composite functionality is governed by synergistic, non-additive interactions. Model-agnostic interpretability analyses further revealed that pore interconnectivity and accessible surface area are the primary determinants of adsorption performance. Conversely, while increased magnetic nanoparticle loading enhances magnetic responsiveness, it induces a significant trade-off with adsorption efficiency. These findings demonstrate that uncertainty-aware ML can extract generalizable, physically grounded design insights from heterogeneous experimental literature, providing a streamlined, data-driven pathway for the rational design and screening of multifunctional porous materials without necessitating additional experimental overhead. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions)
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Other

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38 pages, 2811 KB  
Systematic Review
High-Performance Composite Gears: A Systematic Review of Materials, Processing, and Performance
by Azamat Kaliyev, Ilyas Yessengabylov, Assem Kyrykbayeva, Sharaina Zholdassova, Chingis Kharmyssov and Maksat Temirkhan
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(4), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10040195 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 892
Abstract
Composite gears have emerged as game-changing mechanical components across various engineering fields due to their multifunctional physical properties, such as low density, thermal resistance, and mechanical robustness. Although traditional metallic gears are well established and reliable, their efficiency is limited in certain applications. [...] Read more.
Composite gears have emerged as game-changing mechanical components across various engineering fields due to their multifunctional physical properties, such as low density, thermal resistance, and mechanical robustness. Although traditional metallic gears are well established and reliable, their efficiency is limited in certain applications. In contrast, composite gears reinforced with carbon, glass, or polymer fibers offer superior strength-to-weight ratios, enhanced corrosion and wear resistance, and improved vibration damping characteristics. The studies demonstrate that hybrid and fiber-reinforced composite gears can achieve weight reductions of 20–50% compared with steel gears, while maintaining comparable stiffness and load-carrying capability. Polymer and reinforced composite gear systems show operating temperature reductions of up to 40% due to improved tribological behavior and thermal dissipation. In metal–matrix composite systems, compressive strength improvements up to around 60% have been reported. Additionally, composite architectures provide improved fatigue life, reduced transmission error, and enhanced vibration damping. Developments in gear design, composite materials, and their integration into composite gear systems were identified through a structured literature survey using Scopus and Google Scholar, systematically compiling manufacturing methods, material performance characteristics, and applications. Targeted keywords related to gears, composites, additive and hybrid manufacturing, lightweight design, and power transmission yielded 132 relevant publications, which were subsequently refined through screening and cross-referencing, with the final section focusing specifically on composite gear applications. The review highlights key opportunities, current challenges, and potential future directions for the development of high-performance composite gear systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Composites—from Fundamental Studies to Intelligent and Sustainable Solutions)
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