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Advanced Composites: From Material Characterization to Structural Application (Third Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 1718

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Chief Researcher, Head of the Laboratory of Innovative Building Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Sauletekio av. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Professor of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Sauletekio av. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: cement-based composites; FRP materials; characterization; long-term effects; fracture mechanics; high-temperature effects; constitutive and numerical modeling; statistical data analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After our successful first two volumes of the Special Issue “Advanced Composites: From Material Characterization to Structural Application”, we decided to launch an additional Special Issue as a collection on this topic. The modern industry allows for the synthesis of composite materials with a wide range of mechanical properties applicable in medicine, aviation, automotive, etc. Structural use of innovative engineering technologies, however, requires a new design concept related to the development of materials with mechanical properties tailored for the purposes of construction. This is in contrast to the current design practice, in which design solutions are associated with the application of existing materials, the physical characteristics of which are generally imperfectly suited to the application requirements. The choice of construction materials has considerable room for improvement from a scientific viewpoint (following heuristic approaches).

The identification of fundamental relationships between the structure of advanced composites and the corresponding physical properties is the focus of this Special Issue. This second volume continues the successful series of publications focused on the development of sustainable composites with valorised manufacturability for a breakthrough from conventional practices and corresponding to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 ideology. The articles published in the previous volume revealed that the application of nanoparticles improves the mechanical performance of composite materials; fibrous reinforcement improves the ductility of structural components; advanced woven fabrics efficiently reinforce soft body armour; heat-resistant aluminium composites ensure the safety of overhead power transmission lines; chemical additives can help with detecting temperature impact on concrete structures; and so on. The publication series aims to combine the innovative achievements of experts in the fields of materials and structural engineering to raise the scientific and practical value of the gathered results of the interdisciplinary research.

Prof. Dr. Viktor Gribniak
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • composites
  • fibres
  • nanoparticles
  • manufacturing technology
  • material characterization
  • materials structure
  • structural application
  • tests

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3201 KiB  
Article
Impact of Yttrium Oxide on the Synthesis and Sintering Properties of Cordierite–Mullite Composite Ceramics
by Hui Zhang, Lu Feng, Weibo Mao, Quanming Liu, Liang Zhao and Hong Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(3), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030687 - 4 Feb 2025
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Abstract
To enhance the mechanical properties and high-temperature performance of cordierite–mullite composite ceramics, yttrium oxide (Y2O3), a rare earth metal oxide, was employed as a sintering aid to fabricate these composites via in situ synthesis and non-pressure sintering. This study [...] Read more.
To enhance the mechanical properties and high-temperature performance of cordierite–mullite composite ceramics, yttrium oxide (Y2O3), a rare earth metal oxide, was employed as a sintering aid to fabricate these composites via in situ synthesis and non-pressure sintering. This study systematically investigated the formation mechanisms of the cordierite and mullite phases and examined the effects of yttrium oxide on the densification behavior, mechanical properties, volumetric stability, and thermal shock resistance. The results indicate that incorporating yttrium oxide (1.5–6.0 wt%) not only promoted the formation of the cordierite phase but also refined the microstructure and enhanced the thermal shock stability at a sintering temperature of 1350 °C. An optimal addition of 3 wt% yttrium oxide ensures that the primary phases are cordierite and mullite, with a microstructure characterized by uniformly distributed micropores, hexagonal short-columnar cordierite, and interlocking rod-like mullite, thereby significantly improving both the mechanical properties and thermal shock stability. Specifically, the room-temperature compressive strength increased by 121%, the flexural strength increased by 177%, and, after three thermal shock cycles at 1100 °C, the retention rates for compressive and flexural strengths were 87.66% and 71.01%, respectively. This research provides a critical foundation for enhancing the mechanical properties and high-temperature service performance of cordierite–mullite saggers used in lithium battery cathode materials. Full article
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13 pages, 7782 KiB  
Article
The Effect of p-Toluenesulfonic Acid and Phosphoric Acid (V) Content on the Heat Resistance and Thermal Properties of Phenol Resin and Phenol-Carbon Composite
by Łukasz Rybakiewicz and Janusz Zmywaczyk
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235914 - 3 Dec 2024
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Abstract
This work presents the results of research on the influence of the amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid and phosphoric acid (V) added to the phenol-formaldehyde resin (pH 7.3–7.8) on its thermal properties and on the phenol-formaldehyde-carbon composite produced on its basis. This material undergoes [...] Read more.
This work presents the results of research on the influence of the amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid and phosphoric acid (V) added to the phenol-formaldehyde resin (pH 7.3–7.8) on its thermal properties and on the phenol-formaldehyde-carbon composite produced on its basis. This material undergoes pyrolysis under high temperature. The addition of a catalyst to the phenol-formaldehyde resin affects its curing rate and degree of cross-linking, but how it affects the thermal properties of the resin depending on the temperature is the subject of this work. This article presents the results of thermal tests for phenol-formaldehyde resin and phenol-formaldehyde-carbon composite. It was examined how the content of the catalyst used during the production process affects the individual thermal parameters of the mentioned materials. The results include experimental tests of thermal diffusivity with uncertainty (±3%), specific heat capacity (±2.5%), thermal expansion with resolution 2 nm analyzed in the temperature range −40–115 °C and thermogravimetric TG/DTA analysis with resolution 0.03 µg in the temperature range from room temperature (RT = 23 °C) to 550 °C. Individual thermal tests showed changes in the thermal properties caused by changes in the catalyst content of the tested materials and the influence of the addition of carbon fibers on the properties of the composite compared to the pure phenol-formaldehyde resin. It was found that there is a certain maximum level of catalyst weight fraction at which the greatest decrease in thermal diffusivity occurs. In the case of phenolic-formaldehyde-carbon composite at −40 °C, an increase in catalyst weight fraction from 2 to 4 wt% caused a decrease in thermal diffusivity by 18.2%, and for phenol-formaldehyde resin, it was 2.8% with an increase in catalyst fraction from 4 to 10 wt%. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 3103 KiB  
Review
Interpenetrating Composites: A Nomenclature Dilemma
by Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth
Materials 2025, 18(2), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020273 - 9 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Interpenetrating phase composites are a novel class of heterogeneous structures that have recently gained attention. In these types of composites, one of the phases is topologically continuous and can maintain its structural integrity even if the other phase is removed. These composites are [...] Read more.
Interpenetrating phase composites are a novel class of heterogeneous structures that have recently gained attention. In these types of composites, one of the phases is topologically continuous and can maintain its structural integrity even if the other phase is removed. These composites are generally fabricated by casting, where the reinforcement penetrates into the precursor matrix as a continuous phase. However, the following dilemma arises: if the same two phases are combined by other powder metallurgical routes (due to differences in the fabrication and interfacial conditions), can they still be called interpenetrating phase composites? The reinforcement is added to the precursor matrix, as in any of the conventional composite processing methods. Most importantly, the reinforcement does not interpenetrate the matrix phase. The present Review discusses the various fabrication routes employed for the fabrication of these interpenetrating phase composites and attempts to identify the correct nomenclature for these composites fabricated via the powder metallurgical approach. Full article
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