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Polymers
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Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties
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Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2823

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Onur Güler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Türkiye
Interests: metallurgical and materials engineering; engineering and technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Müslim Çelebi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye
Interests: metal matrix composites; milling; HEA alloys; powder metallurgy; mechanical properties; microstructure; tribology; electroless coating; nanomaterials; AL alloys
Dr. Abdullah Hasan Karabacak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye
Interests: metal matrix composites; milling; mechanical properties; radiation shielding; HEA alloys; powder metallurgy; ballistic behaviours; Al alloys; electroless coating; microstructure; machining

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composites are increasingly recognized as essential materials for lightweight, durable, and multifunctional structures in diverse industries. Their performance depends strongly on the interplay between matrix and reinforcement, interfacial adhesion, and the resulting hierarchical architectures. Recent advances in nanofillers, hybrid reinforcements, and 3D composite architectures have expanded design possibilities, enabling materials with enhanced strength, toughness, wear resistance, and adaptive functionalities.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research on the relationship between structure and mechanical properties of polymer composites across different scales and configurations. Topics of interest include microstructural design, interfacial engineering, processing–structure–property correlations, fracture and fatigue mechanisms, viscoelastic and time-dependent responses, as well as durability under environmental loading. Contributions addressing 3D-printed composites, architected lattices, hierarchical and multifunctional systems, and composites with smart or self-healing features are especially encouraged.

We also welcome studies on sustainable and bio-based composites, recycling and circular design strategies, and application-oriented case studies in the aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, and biomedical sectors. Both original research and comprehensive reviews are invited. By gathering diverse contributions, this Special Issue seeks to advance fundamental understanding and practical applications, promoting innovative approaches for the next generation of polymer composites.

Dr. Onur Güler
Dr. Müslim Çelebi
Guest Editors

Dr. Abdullah Hasan Karabacak
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Polymers 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 2700 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

  • polymer composites
  • structure–property relationships
  • mechanical performance
  • interfacial engineering
  • 3D composites and architected materials 
  • fracture and fatigue
  • viscoelasticity and durability
  • multifunctional composites
  • sustainable and bio-based materials
  • advanced manufacturing and additive processes

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2537 KB  
Article
Experimental–Numerical Framework for Evaluating the Mechanical Response of Cornus sanguinea L.-Reinforced Polypropylene Biocomposites
by Mustafa Öncül
Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091020 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 232
Abstract
Polypropylene (PP) biocomposites reinforced with Cornus sanguinea L. (CS) pruning-waste particles were investigated using a combined experimental mechanics and finite element (FE) validation framework to support model-based design with an under-utilized lignocellulosic feedstock. Two particle-size fractions (<100 µm, LF1; 100–250 µm, LF2) were [...] Read more.
Polypropylene (PP) biocomposites reinforced with Cornus sanguinea L. (CS) pruning-waste particles were investigated using a combined experimental mechanics and finite element (FE) validation framework to support model-based design with an under-utilized lignocellulosic feedstock. Two particle-size fractions (<100 µm, LF1; 100–250 µm, LF2) were produced by grinding and sieving and incorporated into PP at 5–20 wt% via melt compounding and compression molding. Tensile and three-point bending properties were measured in accordance with ASTM D638 and ASTM D790. PP exhibited a tensile strength of 23.63 ± 0.51 MPa and a tensile modulus of 868 ± 21 MPa. Incorporation of LF1 particles increased tensile modulus monotonically, reaching 1020 ± 137 MPa at 20 wt%, while tensile strength decreased with filler content; by contrast, the 20 wt% LF2 formulation showed a pronounced strength reduction to 16.30 ± 0.25 MPa, indicating a disadvantageous size–loading interaction. In flexure, strength was comparatively insensitive to reinforcement (PP: 39.5 ± 0.34 MPa; reductions typically ≤7%), whereas flexural modulus increased to 2152 ± 27 MPa (LF1) and 2110 ± 34 MPa (LF2). FE models calibrated using true stress–true plastic strain data accurately reproduced tensile responses across the full strain range and flexural behavior within the pre-contact-dominated regime, demonstrating the suitability of PP/CS biocomposites for stiffness-driven applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties)
17 pages, 4355 KB  
Article
Load-Bearing Increase and Damage Progression in CF/PEEK Thermoplastic Laminates Under Repeated Low-Velocity Impacts
by Jiezheng Qiu, Chunxing Hu and Zhonghai Xu
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040509 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) thermoplastic composites are increasingly applied in aerospace structures due to their outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. However, their strengthening mechanism and damage evolution under repeated low-velocity impacts remains inadequately explored. This study systematically investigates the mechanical response and failure [...] Read more.
Carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) thermoplastic composites are increasingly applied in aerospace structures due to their outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. However, their strengthening mechanism and damage evolution under repeated low-velocity impacts remains inadequately explored. This study systematically investigates the mechanical response and failure mechanisms of CF/PEEK laminates subjected to sequential single and second impacts at energy levels of 10 J, 20 J, and 30 J. Through comprehensive analysis of impact parameters (peak load, energy absorption, residual displacement), optical microscopy and ultrasonic C-scan, this study reveals that the load-bearing increase under repeated low-velocity impacts results from the combined effects of multiple mechanisms, including matrix plastic deformation, local compaction, matrix damage, and interlaminar failure. Under initial impacts, laminates exhibit high load-bearing capacity and energy dissipation, which are dominated by plastic deformation and matrix failure at 10 J and 20 J, whereas the 30 J impact causes pronounced fiber failure. An anomalous increase in peak load is observed during secondary impacts, which is attributed to matrix compaction-induced strengthening resulting from the initial impact. Optical microscopy and C-scan quantification demonstrate that, while the initial impact induces compaction-related strengthening, it also causes internal damage, which leads to aggravated damage evolution during the subsequent impact. The findings provide fundamental insights into damage accumulation in thermoplastic composites and directly inform impact-resistant design strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties)
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17 pages, 3529 KB  
Article
Achieving High-Performance Polypropylene-Based Synthetic Paper with High-Modulus Organic Oligomer and Biaxial Stretching Force Field
by Zhenkun Wang, Quanjia Du, Weiyouran Hong, Guiying Yu, Haoran Wang, Yanshan Feng, Xinyu Chen, Hongrun Li, Shaoyun Guo and Chunhai Li
Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2951; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212951 - 5 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1029
Abstract
The widespread replacement of cellulose paper with polypropylene (PP)-based synthetic paper has been hindered by the relatively low stiffness and modulus of PP. Conventional approaches that incorporate rigid inorganic fillers can enhance the modulus but typically compromise processability and mechanical performance. In this [...] Read more.
The widespread replacement of cellulose paper with polypropylene (PP)-based synthetic paper has been hindered by the relatively low stiffness and modulus of PP. Conventional approaches that incorporate rigid inorganic fillers can enhance the modulus but typically compromise processability and mechanical performance. In this work, we propose a dual strategy by introducing high-modulus organic hydrogenated resin fillers (C9) and applying a biaxial stretching force field. The biaxial stretching process not only promotes PP crystallization but also significantly improves the uniform dispersion of C9 fillers. As a result, a composite paper with ultrafine C9 dispersion and a crystalline self-reinforced structure was successfully fabricated. The composite exhibits a modulus that is 38% higher than that of biaxially stretched neat PP and 218% higher than that of unstretched neat PP. Furthermore, under biaxial stretching, the C9 fillers impart a toughening effect, effectively overcoming the conventional stiffness–toughness trade-off. This work therefore provides a promising strategy for the scalable fabrication of high-performance PP-based synthetic paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties)
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Review

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21 pages, 975 KB  
Review
Structure–Mechanical Relationships in Alginate–Chitosan Polymer Composites
by Hatice Sıçramaz
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060713 - 15 Mar 2026
Viewed by 595
Abstract
Alginate–chitosan composites are widely used bio-based materials due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and relatively simple processing methods. By combining the complementary properties of alginate and chitosan, these systems offer adjustable mechanical characteristics suitable for applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, [...] Read more.
Alginate–chitosan composites are widely used bio-based materials due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and relatively simple processing methods. By combining the complementary properties of alginate and chitosan, these systems offer adjustable mechanical characteristics suitable for applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and sustainable packaging. However, although many studies report improved mechanical properties, the link between structural design and mechanical behavior is often discussed within specific applications rather than examined in a broader context. This review focuses on how polymer ratio, charge balance, crosslinking strategy, reinforcement approach, and processing conditions influence the mechanical properties of alginate–chitosan composites. Instead of considering these factors separately, the available studies are discussed in terms of how the internal structure of the composite affects stiffness, strength, deformability, and stability. This review brings together findings from various fields to highlight shared structure–mechanical relationships and to provide guidance for designing alginate–chitosan composites with specific mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties)
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