materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Composites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 4081

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China
Interests: reinforced concrete; advanced civil infrastructure materials; sustainable structures; machine learning; durability

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UKCRIC Advanced Infrastructure Materials Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Interests: fiber; reinforced concrete; pullout test; thin-walled beam; rigidity; warping; thermosets; epoxides; molecular dynamics

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Institute of Urbanization and Urban Safety, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: Fiber-reinforced composite materials and structures; high-performance steel structure; prefabricated steel structure and composite structure; evaluation and reinforcement of engineering
School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Interests: composite materials; structural design; property characterization; multi-scale analysis; machine learning; non-destructive testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the realm of cutting-edge engineering, the imperative to develop advanced materials with superior properties has reached a paramount status. Fibrous composites, highly esteemed for their low specific gravity, enhanced strength, increased stiffness, heightened corrosion resistance, extended life cycle, and, notably, their lightweight structure, emerge as pivotal in this pursuit. Beyond these intrinsic advantages, the captivating attributes of design flexibility, consolidation feasibility, and multifunctionality solidify the prominence of these materials in advanced engineering. Consequently, the exploration of fabricating and evaluating the performance of fiber-reinforced composites assumes multifaceted significance. This endeavor not only contributes to the optimization of these composites but also underscores their indispensable role in addressing industry-specific requirements through a nuanced understanding of fabrication techniques.

The primary objective of this Special Issue is to bring together cutting-edge research on the fabrication and performance evaluation of fiber-reinforced composites. We seek to explore the diverse aspects of this field and highlight its significance in addressing contemporary challenges.

Original research articles and reviews are eagerly welcomed for this Special Issue. Submissions may delve into a range of research areas, including but not limited to:

(i) Novel fabrication techniques for fiber-reinforced composites.
(ii) Performance evaluation methodologies and testing protocols.
(iii) Innovations in composite material design and optimization.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions, which will undoubtedly enrich the discourse surrounding the fabrication and performance evaluation of fiber-reinforced composites.

Dr. Jiaxing Ma
Dr. Chao Wu
Prof. Dr. Xiaogang Liu
Dr. Lik-Ho Tam
Guest Editors

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • fiber-reinforced composites, fabrication techniques
  • performance evaluation
  • design flexibility
  • failure analysis
  • experimental and numerical modeling
  • composite applications

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • 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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 3231 KiB  
Article
Some Peculiarities of Using the Extended Finite Element Method in Modelling the Damage Behaviour of Fibre-Reinforced Composites
by Vladislav Kozák and Jiří Vala
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1787; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081787 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
The present study utilises the extended finite element method (XFEM) to model fibre-reinforced composites, with a focus on crack initiation and propagation. Silicon nitride-based ceramics were selected as a model material; they represent a broad class of short fibre ceramics and have received [...] Read more.
The present study utilises the extended finite element method (XFEM) to model fibre-reinforced composites, with a focus on crack initiation and propagation. Silicon nitride-based ceramics were selected as a model material; they represent a broad class of short fibre ceramics and have received a lot of attention in recent decades. Some peculiarities when using the XFEM, including its selected modifications, are discussed in response to applied external stresses, mainly in the viscoelastic range. Promising approaches are recommended, which lead to a more accurate description of these materials under operating conditions, focusing on the correct calculation of the macroscopic stress ahead of the propagating crack front. The authors draw on years of experience with the material and investigate the possible improvements and modifications to the XFEM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 37894 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Vibration Characteristics for Rotating Braided Fiber-Reinforced Composite Annular Plates with Perforations
by Haibiao Zhang, Zhen Li, Shixun Wang, Tao Liu and Qingshan Wang
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225402 - 5 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1080
Abstract
In the current study, a comprehensive numerical model for analyzing the vibrational characteristics of braided fiber-reinforced composite (BFRC) rotating annular plate with perforations under diverse boundary constraints was introduced. This model employs the differential quadrature finite element method (DQFEM), which was developed based [...] Read more.
In the current study, a comprehensive numerical model for analyzing the vibrational characteristics of braided fiber-reinforced composite (BFRC) rotating annular plate with perforations under diverse boundary constraints was introduced. This model employs the differential quadrature finite element method (DQFEM), which was developed based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and coordinate transformation approach. The BFRC material, specifically a two-dimensional biaxial orthogonal fabric, was utilized to fabricate the annular plate with two distinct types of holes: circular and sector-shaped. The model’s convergence, accuracy, numerical stability, and reliability were confirmed through comparative assessments utilizing data from the literature, from ABAQUS software, and from experimental findings. The analysis focuses on studying the influences of structural properties, material parameters, and boundary restraints on the frequencies of vibration for BFRC rotating annular plates with holes. This theoretical model helps provide scientific basis and technical guidance for the stability and lightweight design of rotating annular plates, such as rotor structures in aircraft engines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3120 KiB  
Article
Study on the Shear Strength of Loess Solidified by Guar Gum and Basalt Fiber
by Yu Xi, Mingming Sun, Huanhuan Li, Gang Li, Pengzhou Wang and Li Li
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133116 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1239
Abstract
Loess is widely distributed in the northwest and other regions, and its unique structural forms such as large pores and strong water sensitivity lead to its collapsibility and collapse, which can easily induce slope instability. Guar gum and basalt fiber are natural green [...] Read more.
Loess is widely distributed in the northwest and other regions, and its unique structural forms such as large pores and strong water sensitivity lead to its collapsibility and collapse, which can easily induce slope instability. Guar gum and basalt fiber are natural green materials. For these reasons, this study investigated the solidification of loess by combining guar gum and basalt fiber and analyzed the impact of the guar gum content, fiber length, and fiber content on the soil shearing strength. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the microstructure of loess was examined, revealing the synergistic solidification mechanism of guar gum and basalt fibers. On this basis, a shear strength model was established through regression analysis with fiber length, guar gum content, and fiber content. The results indicate that adding guar gum and basalt fiber increases soil cohesion, as do fiber length, guar gum content, and fiber content. When the fiber length was 12 mm, the fiber content was 1.00%, and the guar gum content was equal to 0.50%, 0.75%, or 1.00%, the peak strength of the solidified loess increased by 82.80%, 85.90%, and 90.40%, respectively. According to the shear strength model, the predicted and test data of the shear strength of solidified loess are evenly distributed on both sides of parallel lines, indicating a good fit. These findings are theoretically significant and provide practical guidance for loess solidification engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3144 KiB  
Article
Constructing Stiff β-Sheet for Self-Reinforced Alginate Fibers
by Xuelai Xie, Min Cui, Tianyuan Wang, Jinhong Yang, Wenli Li, Kai Wang and Min Lin
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3047; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133047 - 21 Jun 2024
Viewed by 986
Abstract
The application of alginate fibers is limited by relatively low mechanical properties. Herein, a self-reinforcing strategy inspired by nature is proposed to fabricate alginate fibers with minimal changes in the wet-spinning process. By adapting a coagulation bath composing of CaCl2 and ethanol, [...] Read more.
The application of alginate fibers is limited by relatively low mechanical properties. Herein, a self-reinforcing strategy inspired by nature is proposed to fabricate alginate fibers with minimal changes in the wet-spinning process. By adapting a coagulation bath composing of CaCl2 and ethanol, the secondary structure of sodium alginate (SA) was regulated during the fibrous formation. Ethanol mainly increased the content of β-sheet in SA. Rheological analysis revealed a reinforcing mechanism of stiff β-sheet for enhanced modulus and strength. In combination with Ca2+ crosslinking, the self-reinforced alginate fibers exhibited an increment of 39.0% in tensile strength and 71.9% in toughness. This work provides fundamental understanding for β-sheet structures in polysaccharides and a subsequent self-reinforcing mechanism. It is significant for synthesizing strong and tough materials. The self-reinforcing strategy involved no extra additives and preserved the degradability of the alginate. The reinforced alginate fibers exhibited promising potentials for biological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Composites)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop