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J. Compos. Sci.
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Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints
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Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 4291

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hamed Aghajani Derazkola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Mechanics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
Interests: friction modelling; material forming; friction stir processing; solid state additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploration of mechanical properties in composite materials, both metallic and polymeric, stands at the forefront of modern materials science and engineering. As the demand for lightweight, durable, and high-performance materials grows, understanding the complex behaviors of composites under various loading conditions becomes crucial. This special issue invites contributions that delve into the simulation and experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of composite materials, focusing on both metallic and polymeric matrices. We aim to showcase cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of material behavior, including stress-strain (different strain rates and temperature ranges) responses, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and impact resistance.

Additionally, this issue seeks to explore innovative methods for joining composite materials, a critical aspect in the design and manufacturing of advanced structures. Papers that cover traditional and novel joining techniques, the assessment of joint integrity, and the impact of joining processes on the overall mechanical properties of composites are particularly welcome. By bridging simulation and experimental studies, this special issue aspires to offer a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and advancements in the field, providing valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals engaged in the development and application of composite materials.

Dr. Hamed Aghajani Derazkola
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. 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

  • mechanical properties
  • strain rates
  • temperature dependent material behavior
  • fatigue
  • fracture
  • impact resistance
  • simulation
  • experimental study

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 8011 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Optimization of Vibration Damping in Epoxy-Based Nano Cement Composite Dampers for Sustainable Structures
by Sandhya R. Jalgar, Anand M. Hunashyal, U. Satisha Prabhu, B. M. Gurumurthy, Pavan Hiremath and Nithesh Naik
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(5), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9050202 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Traditional cement-based materials often fall short in delivering both high mechanical strength and effective vibration damping. Although nano-modified composites have shown promise, a gap remains in understanding the interaction between nanofillers and polymeric phases in epoxy-based cement systems. This study investigates the development [...] Read more.
Traditional cement-based materials often fall short in delivering both high mechanical strength and effective vibration damping. Although nano-modified composites have shown promise, a gap remains in understanding the interaction between nanofillers and polymeric phases in epoxy-based cement systems. This study investigates the development of epoxy-based cement composite dampers with enhanced mechanical strength and vibration damping for structural applications. The composite integrates nano-SiO2 and graphene to improve the energy dissipation, structural integrity, and long-term performance. A comprehensive experimental and mathematical modeling approach was employed to evaluate the storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping factor (tan δ) using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results indicated that incorporating 2.0 wt.% nano-SiO2 and 0.05 wt.% graphene leads to an optimum increase in both mechanical and damping properties, achieving a 92% enhancement in compressive strength and a 38% improvement in damping factor compared to conventional cement composites. Beyond this optimal composition, agglomeration effects reduce the reinforcement efficiency. Microstructural investigations using TEM and EDX confirmed the homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers, leading to enhanced matrix densification and improved interfacial bonding. A validated mathematical model was proposed to predict viscoelastic behavior, correlating well with experimental findings. These results highlight the potential of epoxy-based cement composites for high-performance damping applications in sustainable infrastructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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20 pages, 19306 KiB  
Article
Integrated Development of Mechanical Strength and Thermoelectric Properties in Cement Composites Incorporating Graphene Oxide and Manganese Dioxide
by Jude Shalitha Perera, Anuradha Silva, Priyan Mendis, Shanaka Kristombu Baduge, Aathavan Kuhanandha, Lochlan Hau and Philip Trinh
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(4), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9040196 - 21 Apr 2025
Viewed by 114
Abstract
Cement-based thermoelectric materials are gaining popularity among materials scientists due to their robust mechanical characteristics and suitability for thermal energy harvesting in building applications. However, despite advancements in the development of these materials, a significant knowledge gap persists regarding their mechanical characterisation. This [...] Read more.
Cement-based thermoelectric materials are gaining popularity among materials scientists due to their robust mechanical characteristics and suitability for thermal energy harvesting in building applications. However, despite advancements in the development of these materials, a significant knowledge gap persists regarding their mechanical characterisation. This research aimed to enhance the thermoelectric performance of cement composites through the incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) and manganese dioxide (MnO2), while ensuring adequate compressive strength was maintained. An experimental investigation was conducted to simultaneously assess both properties of cement composites using identical specimens. Additionally, microstructural analysis of the samples was performed to further understand the integrated development of these two properties. To evaluate the integrative properties, a Pareto analysis was performed to identify the Pareto-optimal solutions for specific applications. Additionally, a new index, termed the Thermoelectric Strength Index (TSI), was developed to compare materials in applications where both thermoelectric efficiency and mechanical robustness are important. The findings indicated that while both GO and MnO2 enhanced the thermoelectric properties of cement, their reactions with the cement phases produced distinct relationships with compressive strength, especially when GO and MnO2 were added together. The TSI demonstrated that MnO2 was superior for simultaneously enhancing mechanical strength and thermoelectric performance, with the 7.5 wt.% formulation yielding the best results. This study demonstrates the complex interrelationship between the mechanical strength and thermoelectric properties of the investigated fillers, underscoring the necessity for a holistic approach in the development of thermoelectric cement composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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11 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
An Upcycling Strategy for Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibers: All-Polymer Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties
by Chiara Gnoffo, Rossella Arrigo and Alberto Frache
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120527 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 783
Abstract
In this work, an effective route for achieving high-performance all-polymer materials through the proper manipulation of the material microstructure and starting from a waste material is proposed. In particular, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fibers from discarded safety belts were used as reinforcing phase [...] Read more.
In this work, an effective route for achieving high-performance all-polymer materials through the proper manipulation of the material microstructure and starting from a waste material is proposed. In particular, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fibers from discarded safety belts were used as reinforcing phase in melt-compounded high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based systems. The formulated composites were subjected to hot- and cold-stretching for obtaining filaments at different draw ratios. The performed characterizations pointed out that the material morphology can be profitably modified through the application of the elongational flow, which was proven able to promote significant microstructural evolutions of the rPET dispersed domains, eventually leading to the obtainment of micro-fibrillated all-polymer composites. Furthermore, tensile tests demonstrated that hot-stretched and, especially, cold-stretched materials show significantly enhanced tensile modulus and strength as compared to the unfilled HDPE filaments, likely due to the formation of a highly oriented and anisotropic microstructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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17 pages, 3577 KiB  
Article
A Molecular Dynamics Study on Auxetic Behaviors of Origami Graphene/Cu Nanocomposites
by Bai-Wei Na, Hai-Ning Zhang, Yin Fan and Yeqing Wang
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120513 - 6 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 909
Abstract
Graphene is considered to be one of the most promising reinforcement phases for nanocomposites due to its unique two-dimensional planar structure with excellent mechanical properties. After the design of origami, the 2D material will obtain a negative Poisson’s ratio in the in-plane direction [...] Read more.
Graphene is considered to be one of the most promising reinforcement phases for nanocomposites due to its unique two-dimensional planar structure with excellent mechanical properties. After the design of origami, the 2D material will obtain a negative Poisson’s ratio in the in-plane direction and become a metamaterial with unusual mechanical properties. Inspired by this, an origami pattern is adopted for graphene at an atomic scale using a molecular dynamics (MD) approach, and then origami graphene is embedded into a single-crystal copper matrix to obtain origami graphene/copper nanocomposites with auxetic behaviors. In the modeling, the periodic boundary condition is chosen to exhibit the Poisson’s ratio of the whole system. Under the isothermal–isobaric ensemble, the interactions between C-C, Cu-Cu, and C-Cu atoms are, respectively, determined by three potential functions: AIREBO, EAM, and LJ. The effect of the origami graphene/copper interfacial gap on the critical strain of incremental Poisson’s ratio, critical strain of engineering Poisson’s ratio, and moduli of the origami graphene/copper nanocomposites is studied to determine the optimum distance between the two phases. The influences of the mass fraction of carbon atom and temperature on those properties are discussed in detail after the MD model is confirmed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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18 pages, 3612 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Adhesive Quantity on Adhesion Quality and Mechanical Characteristics of Woven Kevlar Fabric-Reinforced Laminated Structures
by Feyi Adekunle and Abdel-Fattah M. Seyam
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120505 - 2 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 874
Abstract
This study investigated the adhesion and mechanical properties of woven fabric-reinforced laminates (FRLs) made with four distinct Kevlar fabrics of varying areal densities (36 g/m2, 60 g/m2, 140 g/m2, and 170 g/m2) under different fabric-to-adhesive [...] Read more.
This study investigated the adhesion and mechanical properties of woven fabric-reinforced laminates (FRLs) made with four distinct Kevlar fabrics of varying areal densities (36 g/m2, 60 g/m2, 140 g/m2, and 170 g/m2) under different fabric-to-adhesive weight ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:1.5) in both the warp and weft directions. A novel aspect of this research lies in our systematic study of the effect of adhesive quantity on FRLs, a topic that has received limited attention despite its critical role in laminate performance. Additionally, the application of a newly developed yarn pullout test alongside the standard T-peel test provides unique insights into the interfacial behavior of laminates. The results show that in lower areal density fabrics (36 g/m2 and 60 g/m2), adhesive quantity minimally affects the pullout and T-peel forces or tear strength, indicating that structural integrity can be maintained with reduced adhesive application. In contrast, higher areal density fabrics (140 g/m2 and 170 g/m2) benefit from an increased adhesive ratio, with a transition from 1:0.5 to 1:1 significantly enhancing the pullout resistance, while further increases to 1:1.5 yielded diminishing returns. Tensile strength remained consistent across all samples, highlighting that it is largely dictated by the inherent properties of the fibers and fabric structure rather than the adhesive. This study concludes that a 1:1 fiber-to-adhesive ratio offers an optimal balance of adhesion quality and mechanical performance for FRLs. By addressing the understudied impact of adhesive quantity on FRLs and introducing the yarn pullout test, this research provides novel and practical guidelines for optimizing FRLs in applications demanding high structural integrity and adaptability under challenging conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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12 pages, 2455 KiB  
Article
Effect of Mechanically Exfoliated Graphite Flakes on Morphological, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Epoxy
by Ayşenur Gül and Ali Reza Kamali
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110466 - 11 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1344
Abstract
Carbon-reinforced polymer composites form an important category of advanced materials, and there is an increasing demand to enhance their performance using more convenient and scalable processes at low costs. In the present study, graphitic flakes were prepared by the mechanical exfoliation of synthetic [...] Read more.
Carbon-reinforced polymer composites form an important category of advanced materials, and there is an increasing demand to enhance their performance using more convenient and scalable processes at low costs. In the present study, graphitic flakes were prepared by the mechanical exfoliation of synthetic graphite electrodes and utilized as an abundant and potentially low-cost filler to fabricate epoxy-based composites with different additive ratios of 1–10 wt.%. The morphological, structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of these composites were investigated. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the composites increases by adding graphite, and this increase mainly depends on the ratio of the graphite additive. The addition of graphite was found to have a diverse effect on the mechanical properties of the composites: the tensile strength of the composites decreases with the addition of graphite, whilst their compressive strength and elastic modulus are enhanced. The results demonstrate that incorporating 5 wt% of commercially available graphite into epoxy not only raises the thermal conductivity of the material from 0.223 to 0.485 W/m·K, but also enhances its compressive strength from 66 MPa to 72 MPa. The diverse influence of graphite provides opportunities to prepare epoxy composites with desirable properties for different applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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