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Advanced Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Characterization, and Application

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Dear Colleagues,

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have advantages such as high specific strength and modulus, outstanding corrosion resistance and durability, flexible designability, and excellent lightweight effects. FRP composites have been widely used in fields including aerospace, transportation, construction, and marine engineering. However, FRP composites still face many challenges and issues in areas such as design methods, manufacturing technologies, performance characterizations, and structural applications. There is an urgent need for continuous technological innovation and optimization to address the various problems hindering the development of FRP composites. We welcome the submission of articles considering any of the following: design methods for FRP composites; manufacturing processes for FRP composites; property characterizations for composites; and industry applications for FRP composites.

Dr. Zhen Wang
Guest Editor

Dr. Guohua Zhu
Guest Editor Assistant

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17 pages, 19395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Laser Processing Parameters on the Quality of Titanium Alloy Cladding Layer on Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

by Jiayan Li, Xuan Su, Fenxiang Wang, Donghe Zhang, Yingke Wang, Haoran Song, Jie Xu and Bin Guo

Polymers 2025, 17(9), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17091195 - 27 Apr 2025

Viewed by 75

Abstract

To address the insufficient bonding performance between TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) coating and carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP) matrices that limits engineering applications of composite structures, TC4 coatings were fabricated on CFRP polymer composites via laser cladding and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the interface morphology, microstructure, and phase composition. The influence of laser processing parameters on the cladding quality was assessed based on the mechanical performance of the TC4 coating. The findings revealed that insufficient laser power (<230 W) or excessive scanning speed (>1.4 m/min) led to incomplete melting of TC4 powder, preventing the formation of intermetallic compound (IMC) layers. Conversely, excessive laser power (>270 W) or a low scanning speed (<1.0 m/min) caused thermal decomposition of the CFRP due to its limited thermal resistance, leading to interfacial defects such as cracks and pores. The interface between the CFRP and TC4 coating primarily comprised granular TiC and acicular α′ martensite, with minor TiS₂ detected. Optimal mechanical performance was achieved at a laser power of 250 W and a scanning speed of 1.2 m/min, yielding a maximum interfacial shear strength of 18.5 MPa. These findings provide critical insights for enhancing the load-bearing capacity of TC4/CFRP aeronautical composites, enabling their reliable operation in extreme aerospace environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Characterization, and Application)

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30 pages, 6502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Medical Materials: AI-Driven Assessment for Mechanical Performance of UVC-Treated Date Palm Epoxy Composites

by Mohamed A. Aboamer, Abdulrahman Hakami, Meshari Algethami, Ibrahim M. Alarifi, Tarek M. A. A. El-Bagory, Ahmad Alassaf, Bakheet A. Alresheedi, Ahmad K. AlOmari, Abdulaziz Abdullah Almazrua and Nader A. Rahman Mohamed

Polymers 2025, 17(8), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17081125 - 21 Apr 2025

Viewed by 170

Abstract

This study investigates the AI-assisted analyses of radiation disinfection effects on the mechanical properties of recycled date kernel powder–epoxy composites for medical applications, utilizing Euclidean distances and the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. Tensile and compression tests were conducted on twenty specimens following ASTM standards, with the data analyzed using a t-test to evaluate the impact of the UVC disinfection process on the material’s mechanical properties. The application of AI through the KNN algorithm successfully identified the three most representative curves out of five for both tensile and compression tests. This targeted curve selection minimized variability and focused on the most relevant data, enhancing the reliability of the analysis. Following the application of UVC and AI, tensile tests showed a 20–30% increase in ultimate stress. Similarly, compression tests revealed a 25% increase in transition stress, an 18–22% improvement in ultimate stress, and approximately a 12% rise in fracture stress. This research underscores the potential of combining AI, sustainable materials, and UVC technology to develop advanced composites for medical applications. The proposed methodology offers a robust framework for evaluating material performance while promoting the creation of eco-friendly, high-performance materials that meet the stringent standards of medical use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Characterization, and Application)

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