Multifunctional Composites for Aerospace: Advanced Processing and Predictive Engineering

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 705

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Chair, Professional Section, ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Lucknow, India
Interests: advanced manufacturing processes; non-traditional machining; surface engineering; micro-machining; additive manufacturing; biomaterials; aerospace materials
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Guest Editor
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna, India
Interests: carbon nanotube reinforced ceramic matrix and metal matrix composites; thermal spraying; tribology of materials; process-structure-property relationship

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Guest Editor
Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), R. Imaculada Conceicao, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Interests: traditional machining and non-traditional machining; difficult-to-machine materials; machining fluids and tribology; cutting tool engineering; aerospace materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite high-quality contributions to this Special Issue titled “Multifunctional Composites for Aerospace: Advanced Processing and Predictive Engineering.” This Special Issue aims to bring together state-of-the-art advancements in the design, processing, and performance optimization of multifunctional composites tailored for high-performance aerospace applications.

Submissions are particularly encouraged that are focused on smart and sustainable mechanical processing of advanced composite materials, including additive manufacturing and various machining approaches (conventional, non-traditional, and hybrid). Emphasis is placed on the processing–structure–property correlations that arise from these fabrication techniques, as well as on innovations that improve performance, material utilization, and process efficiency.

Studies are also welcomed in which predictive models are developed, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to understand and optimize composite behavior, both during processing and under operational conditions. Investigations into microstructural evolution, phase distribution, fiber–matrix interaction, interfacial integrity, and thermal/mechanical durability of composites are especially encouraged, as these are central to enabling multifunctional applications in aerospace.

Through this Special Issue, a specialized platform is provided for disseminating advanced research at the intersection of composite material science and processing engineering. The goal is to foster innovation and global collaboration that will drive the next generation of high-performance composites for structurally demanding and functionally critical environments.

Dr. Rahul Davis
Dr. Anup Kumar Keshri
Prof. Dr. Alisson Rocha Machado
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • multifunctional composites
  • aerospace composite materials
  • hybrid machining of composites
  • additive manufacturing of composites
  • smart processing of composites
  • surface engineering of composites
  • surface integrity and topography
  • fiber–matrix interface behavior
  • structure–property relationships
  • thermo-mechanical properties of composites
  • AI-driven materials design
  • machine learning in composites engineering
  • predictive modeling in composite processing
  • micromechanical analysis of composites
  • green and sustainable composite manufacturing
  • functionally graded composites
  • lightweight structural composites
  • advanced characterization techniques

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1879 KB  
Article
A Quantitative Framework for Process Control in the Structural Bonding of Aerospace Composites with MGS L418 Epoxy
by Ruben Favela
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(11), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9110603 - 4 Nov 2025
Viewed by 500
Abstract
The structural integrity of adhesively bonded composites is critically dependent on manufacturing process fidelity. While the MGS L418 epoxy system is widely used in aerospace applications, a quantitative hierarchy of its process variables is absent from the literature, leading to reliance on qualitative [...] Read more.
The structural integrity of adhesively bonded composites is critically dependent on manufacturing process fidelity. While the MGS L418 epoxy system is widely used in aerospace applications, a quantitative hierarchy of its process variables is absent from the literature, leading to reliance on qualitative guidelines and inherent performance variability. This study closes this gap through a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. A 26-2 fractional factorial Design of Experiments (DOE) quantified the effects of six variables on single-lap shear strength. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) established a definitive hierarchy: induction time was the dominant factor, with a sub-optimal 15 min period causing a 74% strength reduction (p < 0.000). Surface preparation was the second most significant factor, with mechanical abrasion increasing strength by 17% (p = 0.000). Ambient humidity was a marginal factor (p = 0.013), linked to amine blush formation. The interaction effects were statistically insignificant, simplifying the control strategy. This work provides a validated, quantitative model that defines a robust process window, prioritizing induction time and surface preparation to de-risk manufacturing and ensure the reliability of safety-critical bonded structures. Full article
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