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Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition

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A Special Issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360) belonging to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2026) | Viewed by 13868

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Dr. Hongxu Wang

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Interests: impact dynamics; composite materials; 3D printed materials; energy absorption structures; shock waves
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Dr. Changfang Zhao

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering Mechanics, CNMM and AML, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: fiber reinforced plastics; mechanical metamaterials; polymer metamaterial; thin-walled structures; constitutive model of materials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composite materials have found widespread applications across diverse engineering sectors, including the automotive, aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, owing to their high specific stiffness and strength. In such applications, composite structures are often subjected to dynamic loads, such as dropped tools, hailstones, windborne debris, and bird strikes. These dynamic events can cause severe damage, compromising the stiffness, strength, load-bearing capacity, structural integrity, and overall service life of composite structures. Therefore, understanding the dynamic mechanical behavior of polymer composites is essential for structural safety and has attracted increasing research interest in recent years.

Building upon the success of the 1st Edition of this Special Issue (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/special_issues/polymer_composite_structure_dynamic), this 2nd Edition aims to provide a platform for sharing the latest research advances in this field. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and case studies that address the dynamic mechanical behavior of polymer composites under high strain rate conditions involving impact, blast, and shock loading. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, fiber-reinforced polymer laminates, sandwich panels, lightweight cellular solids, bioinspired composite materials, 3D-printed composites, etc. Submissions addressing innovative experimental techniques, advanced modeling and simulation approaches, diagnostic methods, and design optimization strategies for polymer composites in dynamic loading scenarios are also of particular interest.

Dr. Hongxu Wang
Dr. Changfang Zhao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

composite laminates
sandwich structures
cellular and porous materials
bioinspired materials and structures
3D-printed composite materials
fiber metal laminates
dynamic mechanical behavior
strain rate effect
impact resistance
penetration mechanics
crashworthiness and energy absorption
shock response and spall fracture
finite element modeling
optimization of composites

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Related Special Issue

Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures in Polymers (7 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5155 KB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Glass Fiber Hybridization for Enhanced Low-Velocity Impact Resistance in CFRP T-Stiffened Panels

by Yuhuan Yuan, Yangsheng Gao, Debin Song, Wei Xi, Jia Huang and Jiali Tang

Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101259 - 21 May 2026

Viewed by 633

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the low-velocity impact response of aerospace-grade carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) T-stiffened panels. Through drop-weight impact tests at 20 J and 35 J energies and Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) numerical simulations, a comparative analysis was performed on two composite configurations: the pure CFRP baseline (Configuration A) and the hybrid configuration incorporating surface glass fiber layers (Configuration B). High-fidelity correlation between experimental and numerical results was achieved, validating the progressive damage evolution of the matrix and fiber constituents. The main findings demonstrate that the hybrid Configuration B exhibits significantly superior impact resistance compared to the monolithic CFRP Configuration A. The introduction of surface glass fiber layers produces a synergistic hybrid effect in the composite system. This surface layer acts as a protective buffer, effectively attenuating the impact load before it propagates to the underlying carbon fiber laminate. As a result, the hybrid structure absorbs more energy and effectively suppresses rapid crack propagation. Under 35 J impact energy, Configuration B avoids the brittle failure of the matrix observed in Configuration A, achieving a 24% increase in permanent energy absorption. This surface hybridization strategy provides an effective method for improving damage tolerance and preserving the structural integrity of advanced composite stiffened panels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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23 pages, 4931 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bio-Inspired Cross-Spiral Carbon Fiber Composites: Impact Resistance and Damage Tolerance Under Multiple Low-Velocity Impact

by Lanlan Jiang, Dongfeng Li and Zaoyang Guo

Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101162 - 9 May 2026

Viewed by 832

Abstract

This study investigates the impact resistance and damage tolerance of bio-inspired cross-spiral (CS) laminates under multiple low-velocity impacts. Two impact conditions were considered: repeated impacts at the same location and double impacts at different locations. Low-velocity impact tests, ultrasonic C-scan inspection, and compression-after-impact (CAI) tests were conducted to evaluate the impact response, internal damage, and residual compressive strength. The results show that repeated impacts at the same location intensified deformation and damage accumulation. When the number of impacts increased from 1 to 15, the peak force and maximum central displacement increased by 20.26% and 26.21%, respectively, while the absorbed energy decreased by 70.96% and the damage area increased by 113.67%. The variations in response parameters and damage area became less pronounced as the number of impacts increased. Under double impacts at different locations, increasing the impact spacing reduced damage coupling between the two impacts. When the spacing increased from 0 mm to 80 mm, the CAI strength increased by 11.02%. Overall, repeated impacts at the same location reduced the residual compressive load-bearing capacity, whereas larger impact spacing helped improve the CAI performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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30 pages, 9800 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Mechanical Performance and Blast Resistance of Aramid, Carbon, and UHMWPE Fabrics

by Jiang Xie, Jinzheng Liu, Hanyuan Pan, Chao Jiang, Binyuan Gao, Yilun Jiang and Zhenyu Feng

Polymers 2026, 18(5), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18050612 - 28 Feb 2026

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1488

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical performance and blast resistance of high-performance aramid, carbon, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber fabrics, responding to the need for lightweight and flexible materials in anti-explosion containers for aviation and critical infrastructure. The experimental methodology integrated quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests to characterize the strain-rate effect, followed by near-field air blast tests on both single-material and hybrid multi-ply fabric specimens to analyze their dynamic response, failure modes, and overpressure attenuation. Key findings revealed that carbon fabric exhibited high stiffness but was strain-rate insensitive and susceptible to brittle perforation failure, whereas aramid and UHMWPE fabrics demonstrated strain-rate sensitivity, with UHMWPE showing superior ductility and energy absorption. The hybrid multi-ply configuration (A-C-U sequence) achieved the least amount of failure, effectively utilizing the wave impedance of aramid fabric for initial shock reflection, high stiffness of carbon fabric for stress homogenization, and plasticity of UHMWPE fabric for energy dissipation. Additionally, all fabrics attenuated peak overpressure by over 80%, with enhancement observed for increased thickness. The study concludes that the strategic layering of different fabrics creates a synergistic effect, mitigating the weaknesses of individual fabrics and establishing an effective design paradigm for advanced blast-resistant structures, further enhancing the protective performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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21 pages, 21342 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Buckling Analysis of Thin Film/Polydimethylsiloxane Substrate Structures in Curved State with Finite Thickness

by Haohao Bi, Wenjie Li and Liuyun Wang

Polymers 2026, 18(3), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18030411 - 5 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 787

Abstract

Curved sensors hold significant positions in various fields of modern science and technology, such as medical care, soft robotics, and electronic devices. Meanwhile, flexible electronic devices with film/polydimethylsiloxane substrate structures have been widely applied in the configuration design and performance enhancement of sensors. It is essential to consider the dynamic buckling behavior of film/substrate structures under bending conditions for the optimization of sensor functions. In this study, the dynamic behaviors of thin film/substrate structures with finite thickness in the curved state are investigated. Firstly, the dynamic equations considering damping and external excitation are established based on the principle of minimum energy and the Lagrange function. Secondly, the dynamic responses under different parameters are analyzed. Finally, the effects of the frequency of external excitation, pre-strain, the amplitude of external excitation strain, and the Young’s modulus and thickness of the substrate on the critical value of chaos occurrence are discussed respectively. This study is aimed at providing novel insights for the design of curved sensors based on thin film/substrate structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 7070 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Optimization of the Properties of Fiber-Content-Dependent PPS/PTFE/MoS₂ Self-Lubricating Composites

by Zheng Wang, Shuangshuang Li, Liangshuo Zhao, Yingjie Qiao, Yan Wu, Zhijie Yan, Zhongtian Yin, Peng Wang, Xin Zhang, Xiaotian Bian, Lei Shi, Jiajie He, Shujing Yue and Zhaoding Yao

Polymers 2026, 18(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18030410 - 4 Feb 2026

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 965

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the influence of short carbon-fiber (SCF) content on the mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties of self-lubricating polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites filled with PTFE and MoS2, addressing the critical need for high-wear resistance in Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic (CFRTP) structural applications. The results identified 10 wt% SCF as the optimal content that achieved the best balance between load-bearing capacity and friction performance. The coefficient of friction μ and wear amount were reduced by 29.28% and 29.29%, respectively, compared to the PPS/PTFE/MoS2 composite material without SCF, and by 14.67% and 20.75%, respectively, compared to the material with excessive SCF filling (20 wt%). Finite-Element Analysis-Representative Volume Element (FEA-RVE) reveals the mechanism by which excessive content of SCF at the microscopic level leads to a slight decrease in mechanical properties. Critically, the tribological performance exhibited a discrepancy with bulk mechanical properties: above 15 wt% SCF, the wear rate worsened despite high mechanical strength, revealing that increased fiber agglomeration and micro-abrasion effects were the primary causes of performance deterioration. Further in-depth XPS analysis revealed a synergistic lubrication mechanism: In the optimal sample, an ultra-dense PTFE transfer film was formed to mask the underlying MoS2. This masking, coupled with the high surface activity of MoO3 particles leads to stronger physicochemical interactions with the polymer matrix, ensures the exceptional durability and stability of the tribo-film. This research establishes a complete structure–performance relationship by integrating mechanical, thermal, and tribo–chemical mechanisms, offering critical theoretical guidance for the design of next-generation high-performance self-lubricating CFRTPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 4207 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Prediction on the Impact Resistance of UHMWPE Flexible Film Against Hypervelocity Particles

by Hao Liu, Zhirui Rao, Chen Liu, Hao Wang, Jiangfan Zhang, Yifan Wang and Vladimir Simonov

Polymers 2026, 18(3), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18030369 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1005

Abstract

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) thin films are considered promising shielding materials against hypervelocity microparticle impacts in space environments. In this study, a finite element-smoothed particle hydrodynamics (FEM-SPH) adaptive coupling simulation method was developed to reveal the damage mechanisms of UHMWPE films impacted by alumina (Al₂O₃) particles with a diameter of 10 μm. A 100 μm thick single-layer UHMWPE film was subjected to normal impacts at velocities ranging from 1 to 30 km/s. The morphology and characteristics of craters formed on the film surface were analyzed, revealing the velocity-dependent transition from plastic deformation to complete perforation. At 10 km/s, additional oblique impact simulations at 30°, 45°, 60° and 75° were performed to assess the effect of impact angle on damage morphology. Furthermore, the damage evolution in double-layer UHMWPE films was examined under impact velocities of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 km/s, showing enhanced protective performance compared to single-layer films. Finally, the critical influence parameters for UHMWPE failure were discussed, providing criteria for evaluating the shielding limits. This work offers computational methods and predictive tools for assessing hypervelocity microparticle impact and contributes to the structural protection design of spacecraft operating in the harsh space environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 3370 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Numerical Investigation of Dynamic Wrinkling Behaviors in Stiff-Film/PDMS-Substrate Structure

by Haohao Bi, Wenjie Li, Liuyun Wang and Bo Wang

Polymers 2026, 18(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18020292 - 21 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 663

Abstract

Thin film/substrate structures based on the principle of buckling mechanics exhibit both excellent stretchability and mechanical stability, and they have been recognized as a critical configuration in the design of flexible electronic devices. During application, flexible electronic devices are usually subjected to complex dynamic environments. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate the dynamic behavior of thin film/substrate structures for the design of flexible electronic devices. The bending energy, membrane energy, and kinetic energy of the thin film and the elastic energy of the substrate were calculated. On this basis, the dynamic equation of the thin film/substrate structure with a checkerboard wrinkled pattern was derived by applying the principle of minimum energy combined with the Lagrangian function. Numerical simulations were conducted on the system to analyze the effect of pre-strain and the Young’s modulus of substrate on the system’s potential energy function, simulate the temporal response of the system’s dynamic behavior, and investigate the influences of pre-strain and the Young’s modulus of substrate on system stability and the chaos critical value. Theoretical support is expected to be provided for the design of two-dimensional (2D) thin film/substrate structures through this research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 2734 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Impact Resistance of UHMWPE Flexible Film Against Hypervelocity Particles

by Chen Liu, Zhirui Rao, Hao Liu, Changlin Zhao, Yifan Wang and Aleksey Khaziev

Polymers 2026, 18(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18020161 - 7 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1433

Abstract

The increasing threat posed by micrometeoroids and orbital debris to in-orbit spacecraft necessitates the development of lightweight and deformable shielding systems capable of withstanding hypervelocity impacts. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films, owing to their high specific strength and energy-absorption capacity, present a promising candidate for such applications. However, the hypervelocity impact response of thin, highly oriented UHMWPE films—distinct from bulk plates or composites—remains poorly understood, particularly for micron-scale particles at velocities relevant to space debris (≥8 km/s). In this study, we systematically investigate the impact resistance of 0.1 mm UHMWPE films using a plasma-driven microparticle accelerator and a hypervelocity dust gun to simulate impacts by micron-sized Al₂O₃ and Fe particles at velocities up to ~8.5 km/s. Through detailed analysis of crater morphology via scanning electron microscopy, we identify three distinct damage modes: plastic-dominated craters (Type I), fracture-melting craters (Type II), and perforations (Type III). These modes are correlated with impact energy and particle size, revealing the material’s transition from large-scale plastic deformation to localized thermal softening and eventual penetration. Crucially, we provide quantitative penetration thresholds (e.g., 2.25 μm Al₂O₃ at 8.5 km/s) and establish a microstructure-informed damage classification that advances the fundamental understanding of UHMWPE film behavior under extreme strain rates. Our findings not only elucidate the energy-dissipation mechanisms in oriented polymer films but also offer practical guidelines for the design of next-generation, flexible spacecraft shielding systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 2521 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Comparative Study on Cure Kinetics for CFRP: Autocatalytic vs. Neural Network vs. Angle Information-Enhanced RBF Models

by Xintong Wu, Linman Wei, Ming Zhang, Zhongling Liu, Bin Xiao, Xiaobo Yang and Zan Yang

Polymers 2025, 17(22), 3059; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223059 - 18 Nov 2025

Viewed by 999

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) components require precise curing process control to ensure quality, but traditional phenomenological cure kinetics models face limitations in handling nonlinearity and data diversity. This study addresses the challenges in modeling the cure kinetics of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites, where traditional phenomenological models lack generalizability and neural networks suffer from robustness issues due to their numerous hyperparameters and data dependency. To overcome these limitations, a novel machine learning model called the angle information-enhanced radial basis function (RBF) model is proposed, which integrates both Euclidean distance and angular relationships between data points to improve prediction stability and accuracy. The performance of this machine learning approach is systematically compared against an autocatalytic model and a neural network using dynamic DSC data from T700/2626 epoxy resin at multiple heating rates. The angle-enhanced RBF model balances accuracy, efficiency, and robustness, offering a reliable data-driven alternative for CFRP cure kinetics prediction without requiring extensive data or complex hyperparameter optimization, thus facilitating better process control in manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 3341 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Evolution of Mechanical Properties and Their Mechanisms in a HTPB Propellant Under Fatigue Loading

by Feiyang Feng, Xiong Chen, Jinsheng Xu, Yi Zeng, Wei Huang and Junchao Dong

Polymers 2025, 17(20), 2756; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17202756 - 15 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1521

Abstract

In this study, we explored the evolution of mechanical properties in hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellants under fatigue loading by performing fatigue tests with varying maximum stresses and cycle numbers, followed by uniaxial tensile tests on post-fatigue specimens. Residual elongation was used as a key parameter to characterize mechanical behavior, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the mesostructural morphological changes that occur under different loading conditions, revealing the mechanisms responsible for variations in mechanical properties. The results show that, as the number of loading cycles increases, residual elongation decreases, with three distinct phases of decline—slow change, gradual decline, and rapid deterioration—depending on the stress levels. SEM analysis identified damage mechanisms such as “dewetting” and particle fragmentation at the mesostructural level, which compromise the material’s structural integrity, leading to reduced residual elongation. A novel aspect of this study is the application of Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) theory to construct a master curve describing residual elongation decay. This approach enabled the development of a generalized model to predict the material’s degradation under fatigue loading, with experimental validation of the fitted evolution model, offering a new and effective method for assessing the long-term performance of HTPB propellants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 4876 KB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Absorption Characteristics of CFRP–Aluminum Foam Composite Structure Under High-Velocity Impact: Focusing on Varying Aspect Ratios and Relative Densities

by Jie Ren, Shujie Liu, Jiuhe Wang and Changfang Zhao

Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2162; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152162 - 7 Aug 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2206

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the high-velocity impact response and energy absorption characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP)—aluminum foam (AlF) hybrid composite structures, aiming to address the growing demand for lightweight yet high-performance energy-absorbing materials in aerospace and protective engineering applications. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the influence of key geometric and material parameters, including the aspect ratio of the columns and the relative density of the AlF core. Experimental characterization was first performed using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus to evaluate the dynamic compressive behavior of AlF specimens with four different relative densities (i.e., 0.163, 0.245, 0.374, and 0.437). A finite element (FE) model was then developed and rigorously validated against the experimental data, demonstrating excellent agreement in terms of deformation modes and force–displacement responses. Extensive parametric studies based on the validated FE framework revealed that the proposed CFRP-AlF composite structure achieves a balance between specific energy absorption (SEA) and peak crushing force, showing a significant improvement over conventional CFRP or AlF. The confinement effect of CFRP enables AlF to undergo progressive collapse along designated orientations, thereby endowing the CFRP-AlF composite structure with superior impact resistance. These findings provide critical insight for the design of next-generation lightweight protective structures subjected to extreme dynamic loading conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Behavior of Polymer Composite Materials and Structures, 2nd Edition)

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