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Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition)

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 15323

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Prof. Dr. Yanxiang Wang

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Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: polymer materials in the application of composite materials; functional fiber composite materials preparation and characterization; carbon fiber and its composite; fiber reinforced composites; organic fiber composite; modification of chemical fibers and polymer materials
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Prof. Dr. Yujun Bai

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Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: advanced energy materials; materials chemistry; applied materials and interfaces; materials science and engineering; composite oxides
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Materials is devoted to “Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites” to develop structural applications for textile fiber composite materials, fundamental approaches for analysis and design for tensile, shear, and flexural design are needed; the nature of fiber composite materials, the conventional fibers and nanoscale fiber composite lie in chemistry and physics in fibers and textiles, high-performance fibers and composites, carbon nanotube fibers and graphene fibers, multifunctional and multi-material fibers, environmentally friendly fibers, and fiber-related materials. This Special Issue aims to encourage the exchange of ideas among material scientists, energy/environmental/biomedical researchers, engineers, and other researchers who are active at the frontiers of all fiber-related fields. The latest knowledge on advances in theoretical, experimental, and structural design and analysis of fiber composites is also welcome.

Potential topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: polymer materials in the application of composite materials; functional fiber composite materials preparation and characterization; carbon fiber and its composite; fiber-reinforced composites; organic fiber composites; modification of chemical fibers and polymer materials; laboratory testing methods; laminated materials; nanotechnologies in fibers and polymers; design, fabrication, and application of nanofibers; natural fibers and biomimetic polymers; smart fibers; textiles; and wearable intelligent devices.

There are no particular restrictions on the thematic areas of this Special Issue as long as the submissions are related to the structural design and analysis of fiber composites. The readers and authors of Materials are encouraged to send their latest research studies in these areas, with an emphasis on experimental validation and empirical proof for all areas related to the structural design and analysis of fiber composites.

Prof. Dr. Yanxiang Wang
Prof. Dr. Yujun Bai
Guest Editors

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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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

carbon fiber
laminated
fibers
textiles
polymer composites

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Structural Design and Analysis of Fiber Composites in Materials (11 articles)

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6547 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Flexural Performance of CFRP-Reinforced Timber Composite Beams

by Hao Zhang, Yan Cao, Hai Fang, Honglei Xie and Chen Chen

Materials 2026, 19(6), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061196 - 18 Mar 2026

Viewed by 284

Abstract

The development of lightweight, high-strength structural systems is a persistent pursuit in modern civil engineering. This paper presents an experimental study on a novel hybrid beam concept in which a sawn timber core is fully bonded with an externally applied Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminate, fabricated through a controlled hand lay-up process. The design seeks to exploit the complementary characteristics of the two materials: timber provides compressive resistance and serves as a permanent formwork, while the CFRP carries tensile stresses with high efficiency. Fourteen hybrid beams, with variations in the number of longitudinal CFRP layers (one, two or, three), the presence or absence of longitudinal CFRP layers bonded along the top and bottom surfaces, and the presence or absence of circumferential wrapping in the pure bending region, were tested under four-point bending alongside two solid timber control beams. The results demonstrate that circumferential wrapping is a critical design detail. Wrapped beams consistently failed by tensile rupture of the CFRP—the intended failure mode—and exhibited ultimate moments 15–20% higher than their unwrapped counterparts. Beams with two longitudinal CFRP layers offered the most favorable balance between strength enhancement and material efficiency; adding a third layer shifted the failure mode to crushing of the timber core, indicating a core-limited condition. All hybrid beams showed pronounced linear-elastic behavior up to sudden brittle failure, with performance variability attributable to the inherent inhomogeneity of wood and the sensitivity of the hand lay-up process. The study provides quantitative data and mechanistic insights that support the design and application of bonded CFRP–timber hybrid beams as efficient structural members. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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24 pages, 15952 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation of the Bending, Torsional, and Hydrostatic Pressure Responses of Hybrid Kenaf/Flax/Glass Fiber Composite Shell Structures for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles

by Yang Huang, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, Andrzej Łukaszewicz, Jerzy Józwik and Khairunnisak Latiff

Materials 2026, 19(2), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020411 - 20 Jan 2026

Viewed by 620

Abstract

Recently, with concern for the environment and the request for sustainable materials, more researchers and manufacturers have focused on the substitute solution of synthetic fiber reinforcement composites in industry applications. Green hybrid composites with natural components can present excellent sustainability, possess superior mechanical behavior, and reduce hazards. Hybridization technology allows new materials to inherit their raw materials’ characteristics and generate new properties. The current study designed novel double-walled shell structures (DS1R4L, DS2R8L, and DS5R12L), containing two thin walls and different numbers of ring and longitudinal stiffeners, as unmanned maritime vehicle (UMV) components. A normal single-walled cylindrical shell was used as a control. These models will be made of hybrid kenaf/flax/glass-fiber-reinforced composites, GKFKG and GFKFG, created in the ANSYS Workbench. The mechanical responses (deformation, stress, and strain characteristics) of models were examined under three loading conditions (end force, end torque, and hydrostatic pressure) to evaluate the influence of both material change and structural configuration. Compared to the single-walled structure, the double-walled configurations display minimized deflection and torsional angle. Moreover, GKFKG-made structures are better than GFKFG-made ones. The research contributes positively to advancing the application of hybrid kenaf/flax/glass-fiber-reinforced composites in UMV structures and promotes the development of green sustainable materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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13 pages, 1756 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Corrosion Effects on the Electrical Performance of Wearable Photovoltaic Cells: A Comparative Analysis of Current Consistency and Resistance

by Amit Talukder, Charles Freeman, Caroline Kobia and Reuben F. V. Burch

Materials 2025, 18(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020267 - 9 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1776

Abstract

Wearable photovoltaic (PV) cells offer a sustainable and lightweight solution for energy-harvesting applications, including safety gear and protective textiles. Despite their growing adoption, the application of PV cells in marine environments is limited due to the corrosive conditions that can degrade performance. This study evaluates the impact of corrosion on commercially sourced PV cells by analyzing maximum current and electrical resistance. This study used eight samples of two types of PV panel cells and tested them in corrosion conditions, and current and electrical resistance values were recorded. A paired sample t-test was used to assess variations in current and electrical resistance, while a repeated MANOVA compared the performance of two sample types during corrosion. The results reveal that corrosion significantly reduced current values and increased electrical resistance in Sample Type (1), while Sample Type (2) remained relatively stable. The MANOVA findings show a significant decrease in current for both samples, though the magnitude of reduction is similar between types. However, when combining both sample types, corrosion has no significant effect on electrical resistance. These results highlight the need for developing more durable, corrosion-resistant PV cells suitable for marine applications, emphasizing their potential for sustainable and practical use in harsh environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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20 pages, 12505 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Quality Investigation of Pultruded Carbon Fiber Panels Subjected to Four-Point Flexure via Fiber Optic Sensing

by Zachariah Arwood, Stephen Young, Darren Foster and Dayakar Penumadu

Materials 2025, 18(1), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010166 - 3 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1879

Abstract

Pultruded carbon fiber-reinforced composites are attractive to the wind energy industry due to the rapid production of highly aligned unidirectional composites with enhanced fiber volume fractions and increased specific strength and stiffness. However, high volume carbon fiber manufacturing remains cost-prohibitive. This study investigates the feasibility of a pultruded low-cost textile carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite as a promising material in spar cap production was undertaken based on mechanical response to four-point flexure loading. As spar caps are primarily subjected to flexural loading, large-span four-point flexure was considered, and coupon testing was restricted to tensile modulus and compression strength assessment. High-resolution spatial fiber optic strain sensing was utilized to determine spatial strain distribution during four-point flexure, revealing consistent strain along the length of the part and proved to be an excellent option for process manufacturing quality examination. Additionally, holes with diameters of 2.49 mm, 5.08 mm, and 1.93 mm were drilled through the thickness of full-width parts to determine the feasibility of structural health monitoring of pultruding parts internal to wind blades via fiber optic strain sensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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12 pages, 4246 KB

Open AccessArticle

Laboratory Investigation on Dynamic Complex Modulus of FRPU Composite

by Jarosław Górszczyk, Konrad Malicki and Arkadiusz Kwiecień

Materials 2024, 17(24), 6229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17246229 - 20 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1741

Abstract

Civil engineering structures are subject to both static and dynamic loadings. This applies especially to buildings in seismic areas as well as bridges, viaducts, and road and railway structures loaded with road or rail traffic. One of the solutions used to repair and strengthen such structures in the event of emergency damage are fibre-reinforced polyurethanes (FRPUs). The article proposes a laboratory method for determining the dynamic complex modulus of FRPU composite tape. The theoretical basis for determining the complex modulus for the tested material is presented. Laboratory tests were carried out using the tensile method for four cyclic loading frequencies and a cyclic load ratio equal to 0.5. Under the assumed test conditions, the material showed a viscoelastic performance with a dominant elastic part (storage modulus). For a frequency of 0.1 Hz, the viscous part (loss modulus) was about 8% of the storage modulus value, while for a frequency of 10 Hz, this value was about 5%. For a loading frequency of 0.1 Hz, the elastic part of the complex modulus was about 1160 MPa, while for a frequency of 10 Hz, it was about 1790 MPa. With the increase in loading frequency, the absolute value of the complex modulus increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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19 pages, 4141 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Curing Behaviors of Benzoxazine Nitrile-Based Resin Featuring Fluorene Structures and the Excellent Properties of Their Glass Fiber-Reinforced Laminates

by Mingzhen Xu, Lunshuai He, Jiaqu Zhang, Zexu Fan and Bo Li

Materials 2024, 17(24), 6167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17246167 - 17 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Benzoxazine and o-phthalonitrile resin are two of the most eminent polymer matrices within high-performance fiber-reinforced resin-based composite materials. Studying the influence modalities of their structures and forming processes on performance can furnish a theoretical basis for the design and manufacturing of superior performance composite materials. In this study, we initially incorporated a fluorene structure into the molecular main chain through molecular design to prepare a fluorene-containing benzoxazine nitrile-based resin. The polymerization reaction behavior and process of this resin were monitored meticulously using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. Meanwhile, by manipulating the pre-polymerization reaction conditions, the impact of the pre-polymerization reaction on the polymerization behavior of the resin monomer was investigated, respectively. Subsequently, diverse glass fiber-reinforced resin-based composite materials were fabricated via hot-pressing in combination with a programmed temperature rise process. Through the characterization of structural strength and thermomechanical properties, it was found that the composite laminates all manifested outstanding bending strength (~600 MPa) and modulus (>30 GPa). Nevertheless, with the elevation of the post-curing temperature, the structural strength and modulus of the composite materials displayed distinct variation laws. This study also discussed the variation laws of the thermal properties of the composite materials by analyzing the glass transition temperature and crosslinking density. Additionally, the interface bonding effect between the glass fiber and the resin matrix was deliberated through the analysis of the cross-sectional morphology of the composite laminates. The results demonstrated that this work proposes an improved matrix resin system with outstanding thermal stability and mechanical properties that broadens the foundation and ideas for subsequent research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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14 pages, 14063 KB

Open AccessArticle

High Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves Based on 3D PMMA@Mxene@Co₃O₄ Composite Microsphere

by Jinghe Guo, Yanxiang Wang, Lanzhou Wang, Bohan Ding, Yongbo Wang, Yue Sun, Shichao Dai, Donglong Wang and Shishuai Bi

Materials 2024, 17(22), 5427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225427 - 6 Nov 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2586

Abstract

With the increasing demand for effective electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers due to the proliferation of electronic devices and 5G communication systems, traditional wave-absorbing materials can no longer meet the current requirements. Thus, this research introduces a three-dimensional (3D) composite material consisting of PMMA@Mxene@Co₃O₄ microspheres, prepared through in situ self-assembly and hydrothermal growth. The strong electrical conductivity of Mxene, combined with the magnetic loss of Co₃O₄, ensures enhanced dielectric–magnetic synergy, leading to excellent EMW absorption. The study investigates the influence of varying Co₃O₄ content on the electromagnetic properties of the composite. Experimental results show that the optimal sample, with a thickness of 2.5 mm, achieves a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of −52.88 dB at 6.88 GHz and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.28 GHz. This work highlights the potential of 3D PMMA@Mxene@Co₃O₄ composites as high-performance microwave absorbers, providing a promising solution to EMW pollution. The findings offer valuable insights into material design strategies, demonstrate a promising pathway for developing lightweight, high-performance EMW absorbing materials by optimizing impedance matching and utilizing advanced microstructure design techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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11 pages, 5219 KB

Open AccessArticle

A New Approach to Implementing 3D-Printed Material Structures for Protective Gloves with the Use of Ultrasonic and Contact Welding Processes: A Preliminary Study

by Emilia Irzmańska, Agnieszka Cichocka, Adam K. Puszkarz, Olga Olejnik and Paulina Kropidłowska

Materials 2024, 17(22), 5404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225404 - 5 Nov 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1943

Abstract

This study presents a new approach to developing protective material structures for personal protective equipment (PPE), and in particular for protective gloves, with the use of ultrasonic and contact welding processes. The goal was to assess the quality of joints (welds) obtained between a synthetic polyamide knitted fabric (PA) and selected polymers (PLA, ABS, PET-G) in the developed materials using X-Ray microtomography (micro-CT). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to determine the joint area produced by the selected welding methods for the examined materials. In this article, we assumed that obtaining a greater contact area seems to be the most promising from the point of view of future PPE utility tests characterizing protective glove structures. This research is a continuation of our previous study focused on functional 3D-printed polymeric materials for protective gloves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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18 pages, 7020 KB

Open AccessArticle

Axial Impact Response of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Structures in High-Speed Trains Based on Filament Winding Process

by Aiqin Tian, Kang Sun, Quanwei Che, Beichen Jiang, Xiangang Song, Lirong Guo, Dongdong Chen and Shoune Xiao

Materials 2024, 17(20), 4970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17204970 - 11 Oct 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

The continuous increase in the operating speed of rail vehicles demands higher requirements for passive safety protection and lightweight design. This paper focuses on an energy-absorbing component (circular tubes) at the end of a train. Thin-walled carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tubes were prepared using the filament winding process. Through a combination of sled impact tests and finite element simulations, the effects of a chamfered trigger (Tube I) and embedded trigger (Tube II) on the impact response and crashworthiness of the structure were investigated. The results showed that both triggering methods led to the progressive end failure of the tubes. Tube I exhibited a mean crush force (MCF) of 891.89 kN and specific energy absorption (SEA) of 38.69 kJ/kg. In comparison, the MCF and SEA of Tube II decreased by 21.2% and 21.9%, respectively. The reason for this reduction is that the presence of the embedded trigger in Tube II restricts the expansion of the inner plies (plies 4 to 6), thereby affecting the overall energy absorption mechanism. Based on the validated finite element model, a modeling strategy study was conducted, including the failure parameters (DFAILT/DFAILC), the friction coefficient, and the interfacial strength. It was found that the prediction results are significantly influenced by modeling methods. Specifically, as the interfacial strength decreases, the tube wall is more prone to circumferential cracking or overall buckling under axial impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Design and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Composites (Second Edition))

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