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Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Simulation and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2022) | Viewed by 23710

Special Issue Editors

Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: composites; finite element method; design optimization; additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Interests: advanced finite element simulations; structural analysis of metallic structures; continuum mechanics; fatigue; damage mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Post-Graduation Program in Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: development of raw materials, products and processes; advanced ceramics; nanostructured materials; wear and erosion; biomaterials; porcelain; refractory materials; glass and vitro ceramics; synthesis of materials (thermal spray, Sol-Gel, combustion, CVD); recycling
Department of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Interests: finite element analysis; nano materials; nano technology; materials science; modeling; mathematical modeling; experimentation; ansys; labview, transportatiom; civil engineering; structural engineering; mechanical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decades, the fast-paced evolution of industry has intimately relied on the technology of new materials, which contribute to productive supply chains due to their features such as lower price, enhanced sustainability and improved mechanical performance. With the aim of expanding materials technology development beyond methods based exclusively on processing and heat treatments, much of the attention of researchers and technologists has been focused on investigating the usage of composite materials in innovative applications, as they offer unique features that cannot be found in a single material. The broad spectrum of properties that can be tailored by designing composite materials include the high toughness-to-weight ratio of fiber-reinforced polymers, and the elevated wear resistance of cermets, both of which are arousing the interest of industry in many sectors. Recently, the use of composite materials has significantly increased worldwide, gradually replacing more traditional materials in various fields such as automotive, naval, water sports and renewable energies, which now rely on more light-weight composites to provide energy efficiency in their structures. Weight reduction, high strength and rigidity, corrosion and abrasion resistance, enhanced thermal conductivity and elevated endurance to fatigue are just some of the characteristics that have been investigated to date. Contributions to this Special Issue will consider innovation and originality in the world of composite materials, including experimental characterization, numerical simulation techniques, novel industrial applications and sustainability.

Dr. Ana Pavlovic
Dr. Miroslav Zivkovic
Dr. Carlos Pérez Bergmann
Dr. Dragan Marinkovic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

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

  • Composite structures
  • Numerical simulations
  • Fiber-reinforced composites
  • Polymeric composites
  • Ceramic composites
  • Experimental mechanical assessment
  • Bending testing
  • Impact testing
  • Fatigue testing
  • Damage modeling
  • Cermets
  • Sustainability
  • Lifecycle assessment

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 7820 KiB  
Article
An Accuracy Comparison of Micromechanics Models of Particulate Composites against Microstructure-Free Finite Element Modeling
by Yunhua Luo
Materials 2022, 15(11), 4021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15114021 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1472
Abstract
Micromechanics models of composite materials are preferred in the analysis and design of composites for their high computational efficiency. However, the accuracy of the micromechanics models varies widely, depending on the volume fraction of inclusions and the contrast of phase properties, which have [...] Read more.
Micromechanics models of composite materials are preferred in the analysis and design of composites for their high computational efficiency. However, the accuracy of the micromechanics models varies widely, depending on the volume fraction of inclusions and the contrast of phase properties, which have not been thoroughly studied, primarily due to the lack of complete and representative experimental data. The recently developed microstructure-free finite element modeling (MF-FEM) is based on the fact that, for a particulate-reinforced composite, if the characteristic size of the inclusions is much smaller than the composite representative volume element (RVE), the elastic properties of the RVE are independent of inclusion shape and size. MF-FEM has a number of advantages over the conventional microstructure-based finite element modeling. MF-FEM predictions have good to excellent agreement with the reported experiment results. In this study, predictions produced by MF-FEM are used in replace of experimental data to compare the accuracy of selected micromechanics models of particulate composites. The results indicate that, only if both the contrasts in phase Young’s moduli and phase Poisson’s ratios are small, the micromechanics models are able to produce accurate predictions. In other cases, they are more or less inaccurate. This study may serve as a guide for the appropriate use of the micromechanics models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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12 pages, 4976 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on the Influence of Fiber Path Curvature on the Mechanical Properties of Composites
by Huaqiao Wang, Jihong Chen, Zhichao Fan, Jun Xiao and Xianfeng Wang
Materials 2021, 14(10), 2602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14102602 - 17 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Automated fiber placement (AFP) has been widely used as an advanced manufacturing technology for large and complex composite parts and the trajectory planning of the laying path is the primary task of AFP technology. Proposed in this paper is an experimental study on [...] Read more.
Automated fiber placement (AFP) has been widely used as an advanced manufacturing technology for large and complex composite parts and the trajectory planning of the laying path is the primary task of AFP technology. Proposed in this paper is an experimental study on the effect of several different path planning placements on the mechanical behavior of laminated materials. The prepreg selected for the experiment was high-strength toughened epoxy resin T300 carbon fiber prepreg UH3033-150. The composite laminates with variable angles were prepared by an eight-tow seven-axis linkage laying machine. After the curing process, the composite laminates were conducted by tensile and bending test separately. The test results show that there exists an optimal planning path among these for which the tensile strength of the laminated specimens decreases slightly by only 3.889%, while the bending strength increases greatly by 16.68%. It can be found that for the specific planning path placement, the bending strength of the composite laminates is significantly improved regardless of the little difference in tensile strength, which shows the importance of path planning and this may be used as a guideline for future AFP process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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23 pages, 41312 KiB  
Article
In-Plane Shear Strength of Single-Lap Co-Cured Joints of Self-Reinforced Polyethylene Composites
by Felipe Vannucchi de Camargo, Eduardo da Silva Fernandes, Carla Schwengber ten Caten, Annelise Kopp Alves, Carlos Pérez Bergmann and Giangiacomo Minak
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061517 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1956
Abstract
The present study introduces the analysis of single-lap co-cured joints of thermoplastic self-reinforced composites made with reprocessed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and reinforced by ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, along with a micromechanical analysis of its constituents. A set of optimal processing conditions for manufacturing [...] Read more.
The present study introduces the analysis of single-lap co-cured joints of thermoplastic self-reinforced composites made with reprocessed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and reinforced by ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, along with a micromechanical analysis of its constituents. A set of optimal processing conditions for manufacturing these joints by hot-press is proposed through a design of experiment using the response surface method to maximize their in-plane shear strength by carrying tensile tests on co-cured tapes. Optimal processing conditions were found at 1 bar, 115 °C, and 300 s, yielding joints with 6.88 MPa of shear strength. The shear failure is generally preceded by multiple debonding-induced longitudinal cracks both inside and outside the joint due to accumulated transversal stress. This composite demonstrated to be an interesting structural material to be more widely applied in industry, possessing extremely elevated specific mechanical properties, progressive damage of co-cured joints (thus avoiding unannounced catastrophic failures) and ultimate recyclability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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28 pages, 7304 KiB  
Article
True Strength of Ceramic Fiber Bundles: Experiments and Simulations
by Leandro Neckel, Cristian A. Faller, Matej Babič, Oscar R. K. Montedo, Carlos P. Bergmann and Rolf Janssen
Materials 2021, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010064 - 25 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
A study on the strength of ceramic fiber bundles based on experimental and computational procedures is presented. Tests were performed on single filaments and bundles composed of two fibers with different nominal fiber counts. A method based on fiber rupture signals was developed [...] Read more.
A study on the strength of ceramic fiber bundles based on experimental and computational procedures is presented. Tests were performed on single filaments and bundles composed of two fibers with different nominal fiber counts. A method based on fiber rupture signals was developed to estimate the amount of filament rupture during the test. Through this method, the fiber bundle true strength was determined and its variation with the initial fiber count observed. By using different load-sharing models and the single filament data as input parameter, simulations were also developed to verify this behavior. Through different approaches between experiments and simulations, it was noted that the fiber bundle true strength increased with the fiber count. Moreover, a variation of the fibers’ final proportion in the bundles relative to the initial amount was verified in both approaches. Finally, discussions on the influence of different load-sharing models on the results are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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21 pages, 11692 KiB  
Article
Predicting Composite Component Behavior Using Element Level Crashworthiness Tests, Finite Element Analysis and Automated Parametric Identification
by Ravin Garg, Iman Babaei, Davide Salvatore Paolino, Lorenzo Vigna, Lucio Cascone, Andrea Calzolari, Giuseppe Galizia and Giovanni Belingardi
Materials 2020, 13(20), 4501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204501 - 11 Oct 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3457
Abstract
Fibre reinforced plastics have tailorable and superior mechanical characteristics compared to metals and can be used to construct relevant components such as primary crash structures for automobiles. However, the absence of standardized methodologies to predict component level damage has led to their underutilization [...] Read more.
Fibre reinforced plastics have tailorable and superior mechanical characteristics compared to metals and can be used to construct relevant components such as primary crash structures for automobiles. However, the absence of standardized methodologies to predict component level damage has led to their underutilization as compared to their metallic counterparts, which are used extensively to manufacture primary crash structures. This paper presents a methodology that uses crashworthiness results from in-plane impact tests, conducted on carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy flat plates, to tune the related material card in Radioss using two different parametric identification techniques: global and adaptive response search methods. The resulting virtual material model was then successfully validated by comparing the crushing behavior with results obtained from experiments that were conducted by impacting a Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) crash box. Use of automated identification techniques significantly reduces the development time of composite crash structures, whilst the predictive capability reduces the need for component level tests, thereby making the development process more efficient, automated and economical, thereby reducing the cost of development using composite materials. This in turn promotes the development of vehicles that meet safety standards with lower mass and noxious gas emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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17 pages, 7562 KiB  
Article
Wear Behaviour of ZA27/SiC/Graphite Composites under Lubricated Sliding Conditions
by Nenad Miloradović, Rodoljub Vujanac and Ana Pavlović
Materials 2020, 13(17), 3752; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173752 - 25 Aug 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1710
Abstract
The composites samples based on ZA27 alloy were subjected to tribological tests and the observed results are presented in this paper. The samples (ZA27/5%SiC and ZA27/5%SiC/5%Gr) were obtained by compo-casting technique. Their wear behaviour was compared to the base alloy. The wear tests [...] Read more.
The composites samples based on ZA27 alloy were subjected to tribological tests and the observed results are presented in this paper. The samples (ZA27/5%SiC and ZA27/5%SiC/5%Gr) were obtained by compo-casting technique. Their wear behaviour was compared to the base alloy. The wear tests were done by using a block-on-disc tribometer under lubricated sliding conditions. Tribological investigation were conducted for three normal loads (40 N, 80 N, and 120 N), three sliding speeds (0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s, and 1 m/s), and sliding distance of 1200 m. The tested materials were analysed by the scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and the energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The presence of oil lubricant improved the wear resistance and friction behaviour of both composites and base alloy. The tested composites show much higher wear resistance than the corresponding matrix material. It was established that the ZA27/5%SiC/5%Gr hybrid composite has best tribological properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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19 pages, 8248 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Properties of Composite Steel–Polymer Concrete Beams
by Paweł Dunaj, Stefan Berczyński, Marcin Chodźko and Beata Niesterowicz
Materials 2020, 13(7), 1630; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071630 - 01 Apr 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2704
Abstract
This paper presents a method for modeling the dynamic properties of steel–polymer concrete beams, the basic structural components of machine tools, assembly lines, vibratory machines, and other structures subjected to time-varying loads during operation. The presented method of modeling steel–polymer concrete beams was [...] Read more.
This paper presents a method for modeling the dynamic properties of steel–polymer concrete beams, the basic structural components of machine tools, assembly lines, vibratory machines, and other structures subjected to time-varying loads during operation. The presented method of modeling steel–polymer concrete beams was developed using the finite element method. Three models of beams differing in cross-sectional dimensions showed high agreement with experimental data: relative error in the case of natural frequencies did not exceed 5% (2.2% on average), the models were characterized by the full agreement of mode shapes and high agreement of frequency response functions with the results of experimental tests. Additionally, the developed beam models supported the reliable description of complex structures, as demonstrated on a spatial frame, obtaining a relative error for natural frequencies of less than 3% (on average 1.7%). Full agreement with the mode shapes and high agreement with the frequency response functions were achieved in the analyzed frequency range. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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14 pages, 3358 KiB  
Article
A New Approach of Mathematical Analysis of Structure of Graphene as a Potential Material for Composites
by Mieczysław Jaroniek, Leszek Czechowski, Łukasz Kaczmarek, Tomasz Warga and Tomasz Kubiak
Materials 2019, 12(23), 3918; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12233918 - 27 Nov 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2135
Abstract
The new analysis of a simplified plane model of single-layered graphene is presented in this work as a potential material for reinforcement in ultralight and durable composites. However, owing to the clear literature discrepancies regarding the mechanical properties of graphene, it is extremely [...] Read more.
The new analysis of a simplified plane model of single-layered graphene is presented in this work as a potential material for reinforcement in ultralight and durable composites. However, owing to the clear literature discrepancies regarding the mechanical properties of graphene, it is extremely difficult to conduct any numerical analysis to design parts of machines and devices made of composites. Therefore, it is necessary to first systemize the analytical and finite element method (FEM) calculations, which will synergize mathematical models, used in the analysis of mechanical properties of graphene sheets, with the very nature of the chemical bond. For this reason, the considered model is a hexagonal mesh simulating the bonds between carbon atoms in graphene. The determination of mechanical properties of graphene was solved using the superposition method and finite element method. The calculation of the graphene tension was performed for two main directions of the graphene arrangement: armchair and zigzag. The computed results were verified and referred to articles and papers in the accessible literature. It was stated that in unloaded flake of graphene, the equilibrium of forces exists; however, owing to changes of inter-atom distance, the inner forces occur, which are responsible for the appearance of strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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19 pages, 3294 KiB  
Article
Behavior of Cross Arms Inserted in Concrete-Filled Circular GFRP Tubular Columns
by Fang Xie, Ju Chen, Qian-Qian Yu and Xinlong Dong
Materials 2019, 12(14), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12142280 - 16 Jul 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2387
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials nowadays have attracted much attention in both retrofitting of aged infrastructure and developing of new structural systems attributed to the outstanding mechanical properties. Extensive studies have been performed on concrete-filled glass FRP (GFRP) tubes for the potential application in [...] Read more.
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials nowadays have attracted much attention in both retrofitting of aged infrastructure and developing of new structural systems attributed to the outstanding mechanical properties. Extensive studies have been performed on concrete-filled glass FRP (GFRP) tubes for the potential application in piling, poles, highways overhead sign structures and bridge components. The new hybrid member also provides an alternative solution for traditional transmission structures. However, the connection between concrete-filled GFRP tubes and cross arms has not been fully understood. In this paper, an experimental study and theoretical analysis were conducted on the behavior of cross arms inserted in concrete-filled circular GFRP tubular columns. Steel bars with a larger stiffness in comparison with GFRP tubes were selected here for the cross arm to simulate a more severe scenario. The structural responses of the system when the cross arms were subjected to concentrated loads were carefully recorded. Experimental results showed that the concrete-filled GFRP tubes could offer a sufficient restraint to the deformation of the cross arm. No visible cracks were found on the GFRP tube at the corner of the cross arm where the stress and strain concentrated. Theoretical solutions based on available theories and equations were adopted to predict the displacement of the cross arms and a good agreement was achieved between the prediction results and experimental findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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17 pages, 7311 KiB  
Article
Dealing with the Effect of Air in Fluid Structure Interaction by Coupled SPH-FEM Methods
by Cristiano Fragassa, Marko Topalovic, Ana Pavlovic and Snezana Vulovic
Materials 2019, 12(7), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12071162 - 10 Apr 2019
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3106
Abstract
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and the finite element method (FEM) are often combined with the scope to model the interaction between structures and the surrounding fluids (FSI). There is the case, for instance, of aircrafts crashing on water or speedboats slamming into waves. [...] Read more.
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and the finite element method (FEM) are often combined with the scope to model the interaction between structures and the surrounding fluids (FSI). There is the case, for instance, of aircrafts crashing on water or speedboats slamming into waves. Due to the high computational complexity, the influence of air is often neglected, limiting the analysis to the interaction between structure and water. On the contrary, this work aims to specifically investigate the effect of air when merged inside the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) computational models. Measures from experiments were used as a basis to validate estimations comparing results from models that include or exclude the presence of air. Outcomes generally showed a great correlation between simulation and experiments, with marginal differences in terms of accelerations, especially during the first phase of impact and considering the presence of air in the model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Materials)
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