Composite Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced composite materials are of particular interest in basic science as well as in applied research due to their high technological potential in the production of novel materials with tailor-made properties and with performance profiles far beyond those of the existing ones. The aim and scope of the research in this field is the development of materials with superior thermo mechanical, physical and chemical properties. The combination of different types of materials can lead to a great variety of composites, basically distinguished mainly by their constitution. Thus, the most prominent examples are denoted as polymer matrix composites (PMC), metal matrix composites (MMC) and ceramic matrix composites (CMC). In these cases, the composite comprises a matrix material in which one or more phases of another material are dispersed. The dispersed phase can be present in a variety of different morphologies such as fibers, whiskers, particles or platelets. Ideally, the resulting physical or chemical performance of the composite material is superior to that of the pure component phases. Depending on the size of the individual constituents, we distinguish between nano/nano-, nano/micro- and micro/micro-omposites.

In this special issue, novel trends related to synthesis and processing suitable for the production of advanced composites as well as the property profile of their derived novel materials are highlighted and discussed.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Riedel
Guest Editor