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Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: Properties and Applications
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Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: Properties and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 1614

Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Manuel De Sena Cruz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: composite materials and structures; durability and long-term behaviour; computational mechanics; standardization; inspection and diagnosis; repairing and strengthening RC structures with composite materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luís Correia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, ISISE, ARISE, Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: structural durability; composite materials; long-term performance; fiber-reinforced polymers; numerical simulations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in construction has advanced significantly, thanks to ongoing innovations in material systems and engineering applications. While most FRP composites use carbon or glass fibres and are still based on thermoset resins, new developments in FRP systems continue to improve their performance, durability, and sustainability. These materials offer proven advantages, such as enhanced corrosion resistance, longer lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs, particularly in harsh environments. FRP composites are increasingly used in prestressed concrete applications, enabling more efficient and durable designs. Additionally, the growing focus on recyclability and sustainability is driving new research on eco-friendly FRP systems, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. This Special Issue highlights the latest advancements in fibre-reinforced composite materials, emphasizing innovation and their proven benefits for the construction industry. It aims to show the ongoing efforts in optimizing the use of composites in structural applications for both new and existing structures, exploring their properties, long-term performance, and potential for future breakthroughs.

Dr. José Manuel De Sena Cruz
Dr. Luís Correia
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • FRP materials and systems
  • structural applications of FRPs
  • innovative FRP solutions
  • advanced contributions to FRP knowledge
  • FRP material testing
  • durability and performance of FRPs
  • finite element analysis of FRPs
  • sustainable FRP materials
  • recyclability of FRP composites
  • case studies
  • standardization

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4530 KB  
Article
Extended Study on the Development of 3D-Printed Overlay Structures in Protective Gloves Using Ultrasonic and Contact Welding with Additional Fatigue Bending Tests
by Agnieszka Cichocka, Olga Olejnik, Emilia Irzmańska, Paulina Kropidłowska and Jakub Saramak
Materials 2026, 19(4), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19040700 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 459
Abstract
This study investigates the development of advanced protective gloves by applying novel 3D-printed PET-G mesh overlay structures onto three textile substrates—polyamide (PA), polyester (PES), and cotton—using ultrasonic welding and contact welding. The focus was on assessing weld quality, thickness uniformity, and functional durability. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the development of advanced protective gloves by applying novel 3D-printed PET-G mesh overlay structures onto three textile substrates—polyamide (PA), polyester (PES), and cotton—using ultrasonic welding and contact welding. The focus was on assessing weld quality, thickness uniformity, and functional durability. Weld morphology and bonding integrity were evaluated using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT), while bending fatigue tests assessed mechanical performance under cyclic loading. The results show that ultrasonic welding produces more uniform welds, enhancing fatigue resistance, particularly on cotton and polyamide substrates. Non-uniform welds with thicker or uneven areas, typical of contact welding, correlated with reduced mechanical durability. These findings highlight the potential of additively manufactured overlay structures for hybrid protective gloves, demonstrating that weld thickness uniformity and substrate compatibility are key factors in optimizing mechanical performance. This work extends our previous research by introducing new 3D-printed overlay architectures and provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of additively manufactured polymeric structures in PPE development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: Properties and Applications)
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13 pages, 1550 KB  
Article
Study of the Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Lightweight Concrete with Various Combinations of Polypropylene Fibers
by Kristýna Hrabová, Jaromír Láník and Petr Lehner
Materials 2026, 19(3), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19030611 - 4 Feb 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 538
Abstract
This article examines how hybrid polypropylene fibers of three different lengths affect the mechanical and fracture properties of lightweight structural concrete with lightweight ceramic aggregate. Four mixtures were produced: a reference lightweight concrete and three fiber-reinforced variants with total dosages of 3, 6, [...] Read more.
This article examines how hybrid polypropylene fibers of three different lengths affect the mechanical and fracture properties of lightweight structural concrete with lightweight ceramic aggregate. Four mixtures were produced: a reference lightweight concrete and three fiber-reinforced variants with total dosages of 3, 6, and 9 kg/m3 in a fixed length ratio of 4:1:1. Standard tests determined the bulk density, cube compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters using a three-point bend test. Compared to the reference concrete, the fibers did not significantly change the compressive strength but consistently increased the tensile strength and energy absorption after cracking. The highest fracture energy and toughness were obtained at the highest dosage, while excessive fiber content reduced the static compressive modulus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: Properties and Applications)
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Other

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54 pages, 10258 KB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of Hybrid Polymeric Woven Composites: Mechanical Performance, Numerical Simulation, and Future Perspectives
by Chala Amsalu Tefera, Sławomir Duda and Sebastian Sławski
Materials 2026, 19(9), 1887; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19091887 - 3 May 2026
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Hybrid polymeric woven composites (HPWCs) are increasingly important in automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy structures where low weight, impact tolerance, damage containment, and superior mechanical properties are required. By combining dissimilar fibres within woven architectures, HPWCs can achieve a more favourable balance of [...] Read more.
Hybrid polymeric woven composites (HPWCs) are increasingly important in automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy structures where low weight, impact tolerance, damage containment, and superior mechanical properties are required. By combining dissimilar fibres within woven architectures, HPWCs can achieve a more favourable balance of stiffness, strength, and energy absorption than single-fibre woven systems; however, experimental evidence and predictive modelling remain insufficiently integrated, particularly under dynamic and post-impact loading. This systematically searched critical review provides an HPWC-focused synthesis that links architecture-driven mechanical behaviour, damage development, and multiscale numerical simulation within a single framework. The effects of reinforcement architecture, fibre pairing, and matrix selection on tensile, flexural, compressive, interlaminar, strain rate-dependent, and impact responses are examined, with particular emphasis on barely visible impact damage and post-impact residual strength. Macroscale, mesoscale, and microscale finite element strategies are critically compared in terms of predictive fidelity, computational cost, and suitability for design-orientated assessment. The main contribution of this review lies in integrating experimental characterisation with modelling limitations, validation requirements, and industrial relevance, thereby clarifying where current approaches are effective and where critical gaps remain. Practical implications for lightweight structural design, impact-resistant components, and future validation-driven research are highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: Properties and Applications)
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