Journal of Composites Science

5 pages, 195 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue on Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Modeling and Simulation of Composite Materials

by Haifeng Zhao, Marcin Kamiński, Konstantinos Tserpes and Salim Belouettar

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030125 - 26 Feb 2026

Abstract

Advanced composite materials, consisting of stiff reinforcements embedded in a compliant matrix, exhibit superior mechanical and functional performance compared with monolithic materials [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Modeling and Simulation of Composite Materials)

19 pages, 3800 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Silica Fume, Perlite, and Polypropylene Fibers on the Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Polystyrene Concrete Composite

by Awad Jadooe, Mortada Sabeh Whwah, Hajir A Al-Hussainy, Abbas Jalal Kaishesh, Hugo Alexandre Silva Pinto, Luís Filipe Almeida Bernardo and Anmar Dulaimi

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030124 - 26 Feb 2026

Abstract

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of lightweight cement-based composite concrete (LWC), expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads are used as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in this paper. 50%, 70%, and 90% of EPS foam beads by volume are used to partially replace normal [...] Read more.

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of lightweight cement-based composite concrete (LWC), expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads are used as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in this paper. 50%, 70%, and 90% of EPS foam beads by volume are used to partially replace normal fine aggregate in different EPS concrete compositions. In addition, Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was substituted with silica fume (SF) in EPS concrete at varying weight percentages of 15%. Nine mixes are made in order to examine the properties of EPS concrete. In the testing program, fresh density, slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, and absorption are all determined. Although workability is improved, the mechanical properties of concrete are generally decreased when EPS beads are used. The addition of silica fume (SF) successfully counteracted the mixture’s overall decline in mechanical properties across all the mixtures that have been used. More solid material can be found per square inch of surface area in materials with a higher density, which results in more continuous heat-conduction pathways. In comparison to the control mix, the compressive strength of the polystyrene modified mixes showed a noticeable decline, falling by roughly 62% for P-50%, 69% for P-70%, and 71% for P-90%. In contrast, mixes P-90%-1.2, P-90%-1.4, and P-90%-1.6 reduced absolute strength compared to P-90%; their performance is nonetheless noteworthy because of their extraordinarily high EPS content. Despite having lesser absolute strengths than P-90%, mixes of P-90%-1.2, P-90%-1.4, and P-90%-1.6 nevertheless performed admirably considering their remarkably high EPS content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lightweight Composites Materials: Sustainability and Applications, Volume II)

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23 pages, 4530 KB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning Approach for Mechanical Property Prediction of a Bio-Epoxy and Glass Fiber Composite Reinforced with Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

by Wilson Navas-Pinto, Pablo Díaz-Leime, Germán Omar Barrionuevo, Jhon Luna-Jaén, Xavier Sánchez-Sánchez, Carlos Navas-Cárdenas and Duncan E. Cree

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030123 - 25 Feb 2026

Abstract

Glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRPs) have drawn significant attention given their lightweight, mechanical resistance and tunable properties through constituent selection. Due to environmental concerns, research efforts have focused on incorporating sustainable materials, such as bio-epoxy resins, to reduce the ecological impact of GFRPs. [...] Read more.

Glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRPs) have drawn significant attention given their lightweight, mechanical resistance and tunable properties through constituent selection. Due to environmental concerns, research efforts have focused on incorporating sustainable materials, such as bio-epoxy resins, to reduce the ecological impact of GFRPs. This study characterizes a GFRP containing a bio-epoxy resin matrix, various loadings of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, and a stabilized arrangement of glass fiber. The unreinforced composite exhibited a tensile strength and modulus of 214 MPa, and 13 GPa, respectively, and a flexural strength and modulus of 375 MPa and 14.5 GPa, respectively. The addition of TiO₂ produced an improvement in mechanical response for all the composites. The formulation with 1 wt.% TiO₂ showed the best tensile response with an improvement of 13% and 14% for its tensile strength, and modulus, respectively; meanwhile, the composites with 2 wt.% TiO₂ attained an improvement of 19% and 40% for the flexural strength and modulus, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant changes in the fracture mechanism of the composites, while energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed an even nanoparticle distribution. Additionally, machine learning (ML) models were developed to predict the mechanical response as a function of the TiO₂ content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning Applications in the Design and Analysis of Composite Materials)

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11 pages, 2661 KB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Improvement of Paper Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using H₂/Ar-Treated n-Type Semiconducting Carbon-Nanotube Composite Paper

by Chihiro Shimizu and Takahide Oya

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030122 - 25 Feb 2026

Abstract

This paper presents paper-based dye-sensitized solar cells (paper DSSCs) fabricated using carbon nanotube (CNT) composite paper produced from mixtures of CNT and pulp dispersions. DSSC is composed of a dye-adsorbed semiconducting electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte. In this study, our DSSC [...] Read more.

This paper presents paper-based dye-sensitized solar cells (paper DSSCs) fabricated using carbon nanotube (CNT) composite paper produced from mixtures of CNT and pulp dispersions. DSSC is composed of a dye-adsorbed semiconducting electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte. In this study, our DSSC is constructed using n-type semiconducting CNT composite paper as the semiconducting electrode, metallic CNT composite paper as the counter electrode, and ordinary paper for keeping the electrolyte. In our previous study, potassium hydroxide was used to convert semiconducting CNT composite paper to n-type, but the performance was limited. Therefore, we aim to achieve a more stable and higher-performing paper DSSC by annealing the semiconducting CNT composite paper in a hydrogen–argon atmosphere to induce n-type properties. For this, CNT composite paper was prepared using the cationic surfactants DODMAC( dimethyl octadecyl ammonium=chloride, cationic surfactant) and DDAC as dispersing agents. The fabricated DSSCs were evaluated in terms of photoelectric conversion efficiency and fill factor (FF). As a result, DSSCs using DODMAC increased the efficiency from 5.04 × 10⁻³% to 13.37 × 10⁻³% and the FF from 0.13 to 0.21. When DDAC was used, the efficiency increased to 17.11 × 10⁻³% and the FF improved to 0.27. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Carbon Composites)

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15 pages, 482 KB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal–Transverse Natural Waves in a Cylindrical Shell in Contact with a Viscous Fluid

by Tulkin Ruziyev, Ismoil Safarov, Mukhsin Teshayev, Bahodir Rakhmanov, Abdurakhim Marasulov, Sherzod Ablokulov and Firuza Nurova

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030121 - 25 Feb 2026

Abstract

Natural waves are widely used in seismology and seismic exploration as tools for nondestructive testing of the surface layer. The study examines longitudinal and transverse vibrations of a polymer pipeline transporting petroleum products, which is modeled as a viscoelastic cylindrical shell filled with [...] Read more.

Natural waves are widely used in seismology and seismic exploration as tools for nondestructive testing of the surface layer. The study examines longitudinal and transverse vibrations of a polymer pipeline transporting petroleum products, which is modeled as a viscoelastic cylindrical shell filled with a viscous fluid. This work examines the longitudinal–transverse vibrations of a viscoelastic cylindrical shell filled with a viscous fluid, considering the viscous properties of both the fluid and the cylindrical shell during longitudinal–transverse oscillations. The differential equations governing the longitudinal–transverse vibrations of a cylindrical shell in contact with a viscous fluid are derived based on thin-shell equations satisfying the Kirchhoff–Love hypotheses, while the motion of the viscous fluid obeys the Navier–Stokes equations. The viscoelastic properties of the shell are described using the Boltzmann–Volterra hereditary integral. After applying the “freezing method” to the system of integro-differential equations, we obtain ordinary differential equations with complex coefficients, which are subsequently solved by the method of separation of variables and Godunov’s orthogonal sweep combined with Müller’s and Gauss’s methods in complex arithmetic. It is established that for small viscosity, the frequencies of both modes are close to each other in the low-frequency region, while at high frequencies, the phase velocity of the first mode tends toward the velocity of the dry shell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Modelling and Characterization)

23 pages, 1653 KB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Frequencies of Prestressed Thin-Walled Angle-Ply Composite Beam-Type Structures

by Goranka Štimac Rončević, Damjan Banić and Goran Turkalj

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030120 - 25 Feb 2026

Abstract

This paper introduces an enhanced beam formulation for predicting the natural frequencies of thin-walled composite beam-type structures under initial loading. Each wall of the cross-section is idealized as a thin, symmetric, and balanced angle-ply laminate. The formulation is based on Hooke’s law and [...] Read more.

This paper introduces an enhanced beam formulation for predicting the natural frequencies of thin-walled composite beam-type structures under initial loading. Each wall of the cross-section is idealized as a thin, symmetric, and balanced angle-ply laminate. The formulation is based on Hooke’s law and a geometrically nonlinear framework, taking into account restrained warping and large-rotation effects, respectively. Shear deformation effects are incorporated by applying the Timoshenko–Ehrenfest beam theory for bending and a modified Vlasov theory for nonuniform torsion. Coupling between transverse shear forces and warping-induced torsional moments arising from cross-sectional asymmetry is explicitly included. A consistent mass matrix, accounting for coupling between translational, rotational, and warping degrees of freedom, is derived using a kinetic-energy-based approach for the thin-walled beam element. Within the framework of Hamilton’s variational principle, the governing equations of the structure in global coordinates are formulated, and the associated eigenvalue problem is derived. The proposed formulation is validated through selected benchmark examples, demonstrating its effectiveness in predicting the natural frequencies of geometrically nonlinear, shear-deformable thin-walled beam and frame structures under initial loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Fiber Composites)

18 pages, 1591 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Degeneracy in Two-Point Statistics for Small Two-Phase Composite Structures

by Ethan R. Cluff, Ryan L. Weber, Christopher G. Nyborg, Blake A. Jensen, Sterling G. Baird and David T. Fullwood

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030119 - 25 Feb 2026

Abstract

Volume fraction, or one-point statistics, is commonly used to homogenize composites. However, it contains no geometric information regarding the spatial distribution of the phases. The spatial distribution can be characterized using higher-order statistics. Two-point statistics (

f_{2}

) quantify average relative phase [...] Read more.

Volume fraction, or one-point statistics, is commonly used to homogenize composites. However, it contains no geometric information regarding the spatial distribution of the phases. The spatial distribution can be characterized using higher-order statistics. Two-point statistics (

f_{2}

) quantify average relative phase positions, and the geometric features encoded in

f_{2}

influence material properties. However, just as a single volume fraction can describe multiple unique microstructures, some

f_{2}

map to multiple distinct microstructures. The existence of multiple microstructures possessing the same

f_{2}

is termed `degeneracy’ and is problematic for microstructure-sensitive design because unique microstructures may map to the same

f_{2}

yet exhibit different properties. This study quantifies how pervasive degeneracy is in

f_{2}

through exhaustive enumeration of all

2^{36} \approx 6.9 \times 10^{10}

possible

6 \times 6

binary microstructures, and tests other metrics as ways to uniquely characterize microstructures with degenerate

f_{2}

. We determined that using nondirectional

f_{2}

(i.e., orientation-averaged

f_{2}

) substantially increases degeneracy, nearly doubling the probability that a randomly selected microstructure will share the same

f_{2}

as some other symmetry-inequivalent microstructure. Notably, the fraction of nontrivially degenerate microstructures does not increase monotonically with system size—a counterintuitive finding that challenges prior theoretical predictions. Finally, for the small microstructures examined, we determined that three-point statistics will fully resolve the degeneracy at a computational cost that scales as

n^{4}

(where n is side length), while two-point cluster functions resolve the majority of degeneracies with substantially lower computational overhead. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Journal of Composites Science in 2025)

23 pages, 3154 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Dielectric, and Impedance Properties of Sintered Al₆Si₂O₁₃ Composite for Electronic Applications

by Nassima Riouchi, Oussama Riouchi, Abderrahmane Elmelouky, Mohammed Mansori, Boštjan Genorio, Petranka Petrova, Soufian El Barkany, Mohamed Abou-Salama and Mohamed Loutou

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030118 - 24 Feb 2026

Abstract

Mullite (Al₆Si₂O₁₃), an aluminosilicate with remarkable thermal and dielectric properties, is a promising material for advanced electronic applications. This study focuses on a sintered mullite composite and examines its structural, morphological, dielectric, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction [...] Read more.

Mullite (Al₆Si₂O₁₃), an aluminosilicate with remarkable thermal and dielectric properties, is a promising material for advanced electronic applications. This study focuses on a sintered mullite composite and examines its structural, morphological, dielectric, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirm a well-defined crystalline structure and a homogeneous microstructure. Impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal a high relative permittivity at low frequencies, dominated by interfacial and jump polarization mechanisms. Electrical conductivity follows Jonscher’s double-power law, reflecting mixed ionic and electronic conduction due to contributions from grains and grain boundaries. Analysis of the Nyquist diagrams shows a marked decrease in resistances with increasing temperature: The grain resistance decreases from 21.87 MΩ to 4.85 MΩ, while that of the grain boundaries decreases from 89.44 MΩ to 5.94 MΩ between 450 °C and 900 °C. In addition, the relative permittivity increases sharply with temperature, from 25 × 10³ to 350 × 10³ at 1 kHz and from 200 to 1 × 10³ at 1 MHz over the same temperature range, highlighting the dominant influence of temperature and low frequencies on polarization mechanisms. These results confirm the strong potential of sintered mullite for electronic applications. The activation energy of the grain and grain boundary were determined to be E_a,g = 0.18 eV and E_a,bg = 0.22 eV, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Manufacturing and Processing)

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29 pages, 5104 KB

Open AccessArticle

Direct Tensile Behavior of High Recycled-Glass Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Reinforced with Recycled Polyethylene and Commercial Fibers

by Jesús Redondo-Mosquera, Francisco Esparza-Cervantes, Jesús E. Altamiranda-Ramos, Luis Castillo-Suárez and Joaquín Abellán-García

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030117 - 24 Feb 2026

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) provides exceptional strength and durability; however, its high cement and silica fume contents raise cost and environmental concerns. This study investigates the direct tensile behavior of a sustainability-driven UHPC in which 52% of the solid constituents are replaced with recycled [...] Read more.

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) provides exceptional strength and durability; however, its high cement and silica fume contents raise cost and environmental concerns. This study investigates the direct tensile behavior of a sustainability-driven UHPC in which 52% of the solid constituents are replaced with recycled glass and tensile performance is tailored using recycled and commercial fiber systems. A previously optimized recycled-glass UHPC matrix complying with ASTM C1856 was reinforced with recycled polyethylene fibers of varying lengths, commercial polypropylene and polypropylene–polyethylene fibers, brass-coated high-strength steel microfibers, and hooked-end steel macrofibers at fiber volume fractions of 1%, 2%, and 3%. Direct tensile tests were performed under displacement control in accordance with JSCE-08, and first-crack stress, peak tensile stress, tensile strain capacity, and energy absorption were derived from the stress–strain response. The most significant finding is that stable strain-hardening and multiple cracking can still be achieved in a UHPC matrix incorporating very high recycled-glass contents when appropriate steel fiber systems are used. Hooked-end steel fibers at 3% volume fraction reached peak tensile strengths of approximately 12 MPa and toughness values close to 40 kJ/m³, demonstrating that post-cracking performance comparable to conventional UHPC can be preserved despite aggressive matrix modification. In contrast, polymeric and recycled polyethylene fibers primarily enhanced first-crack stress but did not generate sustained post-cracking hardening, indicating their suitability for crack control and serviceability rather than structural tensile strengthening. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Cementitious Composites)

27 pages, 1462 KB

Open AccessReview

Aquaporin-Inspired Chitosan/Cellulose Composite Membranes for Fuel Cells

by Mehrdad Ghamari, Senthilarasu Sundaram, Ashkan Sami, Karthikeyan Palaniswamy and Reza Salehiyan

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030116 - 24 Feb 2026

Abstract

The commercialization of proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells is constrained by the limitations of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes like Nafion, which suffer from high methanol crossover, humidity-dependent conductivity, high cost, and poor environmental sustainability. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of aquaporin-inspired chitosan/cellulose (AQP-CS) composite membranes [...] Read more.

The commercialization of proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells is constrained by the limitations of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes like Nafion, which suffer from high methanol crossover, humidity-dependent conductivity, high cost, and poor environmental sustainability. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of aquaporin-inspired chitosan/cellulose (AQP-CS) composite membranes as a transformative, bio-inspired alternative. The central design paradigm integrates a sustainable chitosan/cellulose matrix—which offers inherent mechanical stability, tunable proton conduction, and excellent fuel barrier properties—with biomimetic water channels engineered for selective hydration transport. This synergistic architecture aims to fundamentally decouple water management from proton conduction, directly addressing the core performance flaw of conventional membranes. The review is structured to explicitly trace the logical pathway from the foundational material properties of chitosan and cellulose to the functional requirements for integrating synthetic aquaporin-mimetic components. Experimental evidence from advanced chitosan composites, demonstrating proton conductivities up to 0.131 S cm⁻¹ alongside drastically reduced methanol permeability, validates the potential of this approach. Consequently, AQP-CS composites establish a novel framework for developing next-generation fuel cell membranes that combine high performance with ecological design. However, key challenges in the stable integration of biomimetic channels, long-term operational durability, and scalable manufacturing must be resolved to enable practical deployment and mark a significant leap toward sustainable energy conversion technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Applications)

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23 pages, 10518 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hemp Granule Size and Mass Fraction Effects on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Behavior of PLA-Based Biocomposites for Thermoforming

by Zainab Rbihi, Fouad Erchiqui, Denis Rodrigue and Hamid Kaddami

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(3), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10030115 - 24 Feb 2026

Abstract

In this work, polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with hemp granules of different sizes (1 mm and 2 mm) and contents (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) were systematically investigated. The study aimed to elucidate how granule size and concentration affect the rheological, thermal, [...] Read more.

In this work, polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with hemp granules of different sizes (1 mm and 2 mm) and contents (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) were systematically investigated. The study aimed to elucidate how granule size and concentration affect the rheological, thermal, and heat-transfer properties of the composites, with a focus on rheological parameters relevant to thermoforming. The results showed that increasing filler content enhanced stiffness, storage modulus (G′), and complex viscosity (η*), with smaller granules providing better reinforcement due to improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion. Thermal analyses confirmed a nucleating effect of hemp, slightly increasing crystallinity, while higher contents reduced thermal stability. The effect of filler content and size on heat transfer was discussed with respect to heating and cooling sensitivity during thermoforming, a key aspect of processability. The originality of this work lies in its integrated characterization strategy, which highlights the combined effect of granule size and concentration on the viscoelastic response and processing-relevant parameters of PLA-based biocomposites. These insights contribute to the development of sustainable biocomposites with improved potential for thermoforming applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Composites)

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23 pages, 7584 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Durability Performance of Recycled Tetra Pak PolyAl–Rice Husk Wood-like Boards for Urban Furniture

by Alba Loriente Lujan, Miguel Ángel Pérez Puig, Fidel Salas and Oscar Loriente

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020114 - 23 Feb 2026

Abstract

Global outdoor furniture consumes large amounts of virgin wood and polyolefins, while multilayer beverage cartons and rice husks are often landfilled or burnt despite their polymeric and lignocellulosic value. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of converting both waste streams into pilot-scale, [...] Read more.

Global outdoor furniture consumes large amounts of virgin wood and polyolefins, while multilayer beverage cartons and rice husks are often landfilled or burnt despite their polymeric and lignocellulosic value. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of converting both waste streams into pilot-scale, wood-like boards for low-load urban furniture using an industrially relevant extrusion plus compression-moulding route, and to identify a balanced PolyAl–rice husk formulation. Hybrid composites based on recycled Tetra Pak PolyAl and ground rice husk were manufactured as full-thickness boards and characterised in terms of density, tensile and flexural behaviour, Shore D hardness, and moisture uptake. A preliminary UV screening was also performed using short-term narrow-band UVC irradiation at 254 nm, which should not be interpreted as outdoor weathering. Increasing rice husk content enhanced hardness and stiffness but increased water uptake, evidencing the expected stiffness–durability trade-off in lignocellulosic-filled systems. Overall, the intermediate 70PolyAl–30rice husk composition provided the most balanced performance for the targeted low-load applications, supporting an industrial symbiosis pathway that valorises two locally available residues into a potentially scalable product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Applications)

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21 pages, 4277 KB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Aware Triboinformatics Framework for Wear Prediction of MWCNT Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Run-Wise AFM Descriptors and Machine Learning

by Kiran Keshyagol, Pavan Hiremath, Sushan Shetty, Jayashree P. K., Srinivas Shenoy Heckadka, Suhas Kowshik and Arunkumar H. S.

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020113 - 23 Feb 2026

Abstract

Accurate prediction of wear behavior in polymer nanocomposites remains challenging due to the coupled influence of operating conditions and evolving surface morphology. In this study, a surface-aware triboinformatics framework is proposed to predict the dry sliding wear behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) [...] Read more.

Accurate prediction of wear behavior in polymer nanocomposites remains challenging due to the coupled influence of operating conditions and evolving surface morphology. In this study, a surface-aware triboinformatics framework is proposed to predict the dry sliding wear behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced epoxy composites by integrating operating parameters with run-wise atomic force microscopy (AFM) surface descriptors. Wear experiments were conducted using a Taguchi L16 design by varying CNT content (0–0.75 wt.%), applied load (10–40 N), sliding speed (183–458 rpm), and sliding distance (500–1250 m). AFM-derived parameters, including Ra, Rq, Z-range, and surface area difference, were extracted from the worn surface corresponding to each experimental run. Multiple regression-based machine learning models were evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation, with ensemble-based models providing the best predictive performance (R² > 0.85 with low RMSE and MAE). Feature importance and partial dependence analyses identified CNT content as the dominant factor controlling wear reduction, followed by Z-range and Ra, highlighting the critical role of surface damage severity. Neat epoxy exhibited a maximum wear loss of 0.444 mg, whereas the 0.75 wt.% CNT composite showed values as low as 0.003 mg under comparable conditions, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 99%. The proposed framework enables mechanistically interpretable wear prediction and supports the design of durable polymer composites, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Carbon Composites)

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16 pages, 9109 KB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Interlaminar Fracture Toughening Through Distinct Fiber Bridging Effect of rCF Staple Fiber Yarn Composite

by Christian Becker, Joachim Hausmann and Nicole Motsch-Eichmann

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020112 - 21 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of fiber bridging on the interlaminar strength of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) made from recycled carbon staple fiber yarn (rCF), compared to CFRP made from new fibers (vCF). Double-cantilever beam (DCB) tests measure the resistance of both materials [...] Read more.

This study investigates the influence of fiber bridging on the interlaminar strength of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) made from recycled carbon staple fiber yarn (rCF), compared to CFRP made from new fibers (vCF). Double-cantilever beam (DCB) tests measure the resistance of both materials against crack formation and the corresponding energy release rate (ERR). Several microscopic tools (SEM, CT) were then used to analyze the fracture surfaces and characterize the underlying failure mechanisms of the fiber bridges. The resulting ERR of rCFRP is four times (2140 J/m² compared to 587 J/m²) higher than that of vCFRP. SEM images of the fracture surface reveal that the fracture mechanism is fiber debonding followed by fiber pull-out with constant friction. This finding is confirmed by calculating the fiber bridging stress using the mathematical formulation of this effect resulting in a fiber bridge tension of approximately 70 N/mm². The main reason for the increased ERR of rCFRP compared to vCFRP is the extensive occurrence of fiber bridges in rCFRP due to the inhomogeneity of the rCF roving. This results in a pronounced nesting effect between adjacent rCF layers. The influence of the nesting effect on the ERR was investigated by testing samples with an increased layer orientation difference of 3° and 5°. This results in an ERR decrease of 26% in rCF and 30% in vCF. The nesting effect can be eliminated in vCFRP, but in rCFRP higher layer orientation, nesting is still visible. This finding suggests that the coarse, inhomogeneous structure of the rCFRP roving causes nesting regardless of the layer orientation and leads to a pronounced tendency to form fiber bridges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Recycling Methods or Reuse of Composite Materials)

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23 pages, 7174 KB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Steel Industry Waste in Mortars for Application in Buildings: A Sustainable Alternative Analyzed by Microstructural, Chemical, and Mechanical Characterization

by Ana Laura M. Amorim, João Victor B. L. Oliveira, Rebecca Caroline M. Coelho, Bruno S. Teti, Esdras C. Costa, Nathan B. Lima, Kleber G. B. Alves and Nathalia B. D. Lima

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020111 - 21 Feb 2026

Abstract

Civil construction is considered one of the industries with the most significant environmental impact. In this sense, the main goal of this study was to investigate three different mortar sets incorporating industrial lamination waste, assessing their chemical, physical, and microstructural properties, as well [...] Read more.

Civil construction is considered one of the industries with the most significant environmental impact. In this sense, the main goal of this study was to investigate three different mortar sets incorporating industrial lamination waste, assessing their chemical, physical, and microstructural properties, as well as their mechanical performance to develop sustainable mortars. Cylindrical and prismatic specimens were produced using various incorporation methods: reference mortar, mortars with mill scale addition, partial replacement of cement with mill scale residue, and partial replacement of sand with residue, at proportions of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. In addition, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analyses were performed. Physical and mechanical tests included those for bulk density, consistency index, water absorption by capillarity, axial compressive strength, and flexural tensile strength. XRF analyses showed an increase in iron oxide content and a decrease in calcium oxide with the addition of mill scale. XRD analyses confirmed the presence of compounds such as alite and portlandite, which are common in cementitious mortars. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups through absorption bands associated with Si–O stretching. SEM images showed slight morphological changes in the composites as the amount of industrial lamination waste increased. The addition of industrial lamination waste affected the spread index and density of the mixtures, while water absorption by capillarity decreased in some formulations with mill scale. Concerning mechanical performance, the strength of the mortars varied with increasing amounts of industrial lamination waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Cementitious Composites)

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21 pages, 10153 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication and Mechanical Properties of Porous Fe Skeleton-Reinforced Mg-Zn-Ca-Sr Bulk Metallic Glass Composites

by Tiebao Wang, Leyao Wang, Lichen Zhao and Xin Wang

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020110 - 21 Feb 2026

Abstract

Mg-Zn-Ca bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have attracted significant attention in the field of biodegradable metallic biomaterials due to their desirable in vivo degradability and high strength. However, their relatively high brittleness limits further practical applications. In this work, porous Fe skeleton-reinforced Mg-Zn-Ca bulk [...] Read more.

Mg-Zn-Ca bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have attracted significant attention in the field of biodegradable metallic biomaterials due to their desirable in vivo degradability and high strength. However, their relatively high brittleness limits further practical applications. In this work, porous Fe skeleton-reinforced Mg-Zn-Ca bulk metallic glass composites (BMGCs) were fabricated by pressure infiltration using porous Fe skeleton as the toughening phase and Mg₆₆Zn₃₀Ca₃Sr₁ alloy as the matrix. It was found that electroless copper plating improved the interfacial wettability between molten Mg and Fe, as well as the infiltration-forming capability of the BMGCs. Quasi-static compression tests showed that the BMGC exhibited a compressive strength of 500 MPa, a plastic strain of 0.2%, and a yield strength of 420 MPa, representing a significant improvement over the matrix BMG alloy. The fracture surface displayed a vein-like pattern, indicating a noticeable transition from brittle to ductile fracture behavior. Thus, the porous Fe skeleton-reinforced Mg-Zn-Ca BMGC shows promise as a potential biodegradable biomedical material. Moreover, the preparation route presented here offers a new perspective for developing degradable Mg-Zn-Ca-based BMGCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Metal Composites)

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27 pages, 9446 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Evaluation of Lime–NaCl Catalyzed and Xanthan Gum–Fiber Reinforced Soil Stabilization: Experimental and Machine Learning Assessment of Strength and Stiffness

by Jair Arrieta Baldovino, Oscar E. Coronado-Hernandez and Oriana Palma Calabokis

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020109 - 21 Feb 2026

Abstract

The sustainable stabilization of clayey soils has become a critical strategy for improving their mechanical performance while reducing environmental impact. This study compares two distinct stabilization systems applied to the same low-plasticity clay (CL) from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: (i) lime catalyzed with [...] Read more.

The sustainable stabilization of clayey soils has become a critical strategy for improving their mechanical performance while reducing environmental impact. This study compares two distinct stabilization systems applied to the same low-plasticity clay (CL) from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: (i) lime catalyzed with sodium chloride (NaCl) and (ii) xanthan gum (XG) reinforced with polypropylene fibers (PPF). A series of laboratory tests was performed to evaluate the unconfined compressive strength (q_u) and small-strain stiffness (G_o) of both systems under controlled compaction and curing conditions. The lime–NaCl system demonstrated accelerated early-age strength and stiffness development, reaching q_u values above 2.5 MPa and G_o exceeding 10 GPa after 28 days of curing, mainly attributed to enhanced pozzolanic reactions catalyzed by NaCl. Conversely, the XG–PPF blends exhibited progressive improvements in mechanical performance, achieving notable gains after 90 days due to the polymeric bonding of XG and the fiber–matrix reinforcement that enhanced ductility and post-peak behavior. When normalized through the porosity–binder index, both systems exhibited power-law trends, with the lime–NaCl mixtures displaying higher exponents indicative of cementation-controlled behavior, while the XG–PPF mixtures showed lower exponents consistent with interparticle bonding and network formation. These results highlight the complementary mechanisms of chemical and biopolymeric stabilization, providing insights into the selection of sustainable binders tailored to specific design requirements in tropical clays. This research demonstrated that the implementation of machine learning models enhanced the fitting accuracy of the two soil stabilization methods when compared with traditional mathematical regression models commonly used in geotechnical engineering. Among the tested approaches, the neural network and Gaussian process regression models exhibited the best performance, achieving R² values ranging from 0.917 to 0.980 during the validation stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Fiber Composites)

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17 pages, 3701 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parametric Analysis of Nonresonant Modal Response of a CFRP Beam Under High-Frequency External Forcing

by Qamar Maqbool, Rashid Naseer and Imran Akhtar

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020108 - 20 Feb 2026

Abstract

The dynamic response of a supercritical composite shaft is inherently nonlinear and constitutes a critical aspect of its structural and operational design. In this work, a flexible composite shaft operating in an ultra-supercritical turbine regime is idealized as a cantilever beam. A combined [...] Read more.

The dynamic response of a supercritical composite shaft is inherently nonlinear and constitutes a critical aspect of its structural and operational design. In this work, a flexible composite shaft operating in an ultra-supercritical turbine regime is idealized as a cantilever beam. A combined experimental, numerical, and analytical framework is employed to characterize the nonlinear flexural response of the CFRP cantilever subjected to high-frequency external base excitation. The governing equations of motion are formulated by incorporating inertia-related nonlinear effects. Despite excitation in the vicinity of the third flexural mode, the system response is predominantly governed by the first bending mode, indicating strong nonresonant modal coupling. As the excitation amplitude is increased from 0.8 g to 2.8 g, the modulation sidebands around the third-mode frequency space out from 1.8 Hz to 4.1 Hz, while the amplitude of the induced nonresonant response associated with the first mode decreases monotonically from 2.2 g to 0.02 g. This intermodal energy transfer between widely separated modes is attributed to the presence of cubic nonlinearities inherent to the laminated composite material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Carbon Composites)

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29 pages, 9557 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Computational-Experimental Investigation of Crack Kinking Under Mode I Loading in Thick Adhesively Bonded GFRP Composite Joints

by Akash Sharma, Ali Shivaie Kojouri, Jialiang Fan, Anastasios P. Vassilopoulos, Veronique Michaud, Kalliopi-Artemi Kalteremidou, Danny Van Hemelrijck and Wim Van Paepegem

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10020107 - 19 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study developed a combined computational-experimental approach to investigate crack kinking in thick adhesively bonded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite joints, focusing on the adhesive joints found at wind turbine blade trailing edges. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were performed on composite [...] Read more.

This study developed a combined computational-experimental approach to investigate crack kinking in thick adhesively bonded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite joints, focusing on the adhesive joints found at wind turbine blade trailing edges. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were performed on composite joints with a 10-mm thick epoxy adhesive, representative of trailing-edge joints. Finite Element (FE) models included cross-ply GFRP composites and an adhesive layer. Subsequently, both the composite/adhesive interfaces and voids were explicitly modelled, allowing separate and combined evaluations of their effects on crack kinking. A cohesive zone model was used to capture the fracture along the composite/adhesive interfaces, while a Drucker-Prager plasticity model combined with a ductile damage model was used for the adhesive. The numerical findings indicated that crack kinking in FE simulations with explicit interfaces was primarily governed by the lower fracture resistance of the composite/adhesive interface relative to that of the bulk adhesive. Voids with a total volume fraction of approximately 1% were modelled by randomly deleting cubic 1 mm C3D8R elements in the adhesive layer to reproduce the voids typically observed in thick adhesive joints. The predicted crack paths closely matched experimental results. Simulations with voids revealed that voids above or below the adhesive midplane caused crack deflection toward the nearest interface. In models combining both features, cracks were consistently redirected toward the composite/adhesive boundary near voids, reproducing experimental observations. These results provide new insights into trailing-edge adhesive joint failure and establish a foundation for better modelling and design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Applications)

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