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High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 9156

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Prof. Dr. Orhan Canpolat

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Guest Editor

Civil Engineering Department, Yıldız Technical University, İstanbul, Turkey
Interests: civil engineering; construction materials; concrete technology; construction components and materials; composite materials; engineering and technology; geopolymers; fibers; polymer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research on polymeric materials and fiber-reinforced composites, emphasizing their synthesis, characterization, and/or application across diverse engineering domains (aerospace, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, etc.). Polymers—both natural and synthetic—are increasingly vital in sectors ranging from material engineering and aerospace to sustainable packaging and structural design. The convergence of chemical, physical, digital, and biological sciences is driving innovation in polymer science, enabling the development of multifunctional, biobased, and environmentally friendly materials.

A key focus is understanding the mechanical, thermal, and degradation behaviors of polymer composites under various loading and environmental conditions. Topics include advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing, the design of biomimetic and 3D/4D scaffolds, and the integration of computational tools for predictive modeling and failure analysis. Contributions addressing sustainability, recyclability, and the replacement of petroleum-based materials with renewable alternatives are especially encouraged.

This Special Issue, entitled “High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications”, welcomes original research articles and comprehensive reviews. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the properties, design, and fields of elastic, plastic, and continuum deformations due to the failure of polymer and polymer composites while considering the fatigue, fracturing, and damage mechanics, and full lifecycle of polymeric materials—from synthesis and processing to performance and failure. We will cover new developments in the science and engineering of theoretical, computational, and experimental mechanics. In addition, by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to accelerate the development of next-generation polymer systems that meet the evolving demands of modern engineering and environmental stewardship.

Prof. Dr. Orhan Canpolat
Guest Editor

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-anonymized 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

polymeric materials
fiber-reinforced composites
biobased polymers/composites
mechanical, physical and durability characterization
functionally graded polymer materials and fiber-reinforced composites
failure analysis
sustainable materials
engineering applications
theory and simulation of polymeric materials
multifunctional composites

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 7099 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hemp Fiber and Expanded Perlite-Incorporated Lightweight Inorganic Polymer Mortars: Mechanical, Thermal Insulation, High-Temperature Resistance, Microstructural Characteristics, and Life Cycle Assessment

by Brial Asif Hayi Paka, Turan Şevki Köker, Ezgi Orklemez, Guy Patrick Bikoula Onono, Ugur Durak, Serhan Ilkentapar, Okan Karahan and Cengiz Duran Atis

Polymers 2026, 18(5), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18050653 - 7 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1004

Abstract

In this study, lightweight geopolymer mortars with low environmental impact, high thermal insulation performance, and strong resistance to elevated temperatures were developed. Fly ash, expanded perlite, and bio-based hemp fibers were employed as the binder, aggregate, and reinforcement, respectively. Hemp fibers were prepared in lengths of 1, 2, and 3 cm and incorporated into the mixtures at dosages of 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% by weight of binder. Sodium hydroxide was used as the activator, and specimens were heat-cured at 90 °C for 24–48–72 h. The workability, unit weight, UPV, flexural, and compressive strength of the geopolymer mortars were determined. In addition, thermal conductivity, high-temperature resistance, microstructural characteristics, and environmental impacts of selected mixtures were evaluated. The results demonstrated that lightweight geopolymer mortars could be successfully produced using expanded perlite aggregate and that hemp fibers significantly enhanced mechanical performance up to 48% at one day. Moreover, fiber reinforcement improved thermal insulation capability by up to 5.5% and high-temperature resistance. FESEM, EDX, elemental mapping, and XRD analyses supported the mechanical and physical findings through detailed microstructural evidence. Furthermore, LCA results revealed that fiber incorporation improved the environmental performance of geopolymer mortars, resulting in approximately a 21% reduction in global warming potential compared with the reference mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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36 pages, 18691 KB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Analyses of Stepped-Lap Composite Repairs on a Full-Scale Wing Model

by Alihan Cambaz and Huseyin Enes Salman

Polymers 2026, 18(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18050570 - 26 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1002

Abstract

The use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components has increased significantly in civilian aviation, necessitating effective maintenance and repair strategies to ensure durability and performance. While prior studies have focused on composite repair methods, such as stepped scarf patch and bolted joint repairs, these were limited to specimen and panel levels without addressing full-scale wing models. This study bridges that gap by evaluating stepped-lap repairs on a full-scale composite wing model under realistic loading conditions and exploring various repair scenarios. To reduce computational cost, two-dimensional shell elements were employed to simulate repairs, with results validated using experimental tensile test data from stepped-lap repaired specimens. Numerical models were developed for single regions and two closely located repair regions. For single-region repairs, adding up to two extra layers enhanced mechanical strength, but three extra layers increased strain, diminishing performance. For two closely located repairs, additional layers improved strength, though less effectively than single-region repairs. Square-shaped repairs exhibited higher strain due to stress concentrations at the corners, while circular repairs showed more uniform stress and strain distribution. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing repair geometry and layer configurations using numerical simulations to ensure optimal structural performance of CFRP components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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16 pages, 3090 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Assessment of Flexural Behavior of CFRP–Strengthened Timber Beams

by Milot Muhaxheri, Enes Krasniqi, Naser Kabashi, Ylli Murati and Ridvan Mahmuti

Polymers 2026, 18(1), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010134 - 1 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1387

Abstract

Glued laminated timber (glulam) is increasingly adopted as a sustainable structural material; however, its performance under bending can be limited by brittle tensile failures and variability caused by natural defects. This study examines the flexural behavior of glulam beams strengthened with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. A four-point bending experimental program was carried out on glulam beams with varying CFRP bonded lengths, including unreinforced control beams. The results demonstrate that CFRP reinforcement enhanced load–carrying capacity by up to 48%, increased stiffness, and shifted failure modes from brittle tension–side ruptures to more favorable compression–controlled mechanisms. A nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed using DIANA software 10.5 to simulate the structural response of both unreinforced and CFRP–strengthened beams. The numerical model accurately reproduced the experimental load–deflection behavior, stress redistribution, and failure trends, with deviations in ultimate load prediction generally within ±16% across all reinforcement configurations. The simulations further revealed the critical influence of CFRP bonded length on stress transfer efficiency and failure mode transition, mimicking experimental observations. By integrating experimental findings with numerical simulations and simplified analytical predictions, the study demonstrates that reinforcement length and bond activation govern the effectiveness of CFRP strengthening. The proposed combined methodology provides a reliable framework for evaluating and designing CFRP strengthened glulam beams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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13 pages, 3264 KB

Open AccessArticle

CFD-Based Evaluation of Stirred Tank Designs for High-Viscosity Copolymer Aramid Dope Mixing

by Dong-Hyun Yeo, Hyun-Sung Yoon, Seong-Hun Yu and Jee-Hyun Sim

Polymers 2025, 17(23), 3233; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233233 - 4 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1188

Abstract

High-viscosity aramid copolymer solutions are widely used in fiber manufacturing and advanced composite applications, but their elevated viscosity poses significant challenges for mixing and agitation processes. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to enhance the mixing performance of such systems. Flow behavior around the impeller was analyzed within a cylindrical stirred tank while varying the number of baffles (0, 2, 4, and 6) and comparing two different impeller designs (A and B). Simulation results showed that installing a sufficient number of baffles—particularly four—effectively suppressed swirling flows commonly observed in high-viscosity fluids, thereby significantly improving mixing efficiency. Additionally, impeller geometry played a critical role in performance: the axial-flow impeller promoted faster homogenization and broader circulation compared with the radial-flow design. Through this CFD-based analysis, this study elucidates the key mechanisms governing mixing in high-viscosity fluids and provides practical design and operational guidelines for industrial stirred tank systems. These findings complement existing empirical guidelines focused on low-viscosity fluids and contribute to improving the efficiency and reliability of high-viscosity polymer processing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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17 pages, 3599 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Strengthening Location on Seismic Performance of Masonry Domes Retrofitted with Composite Material

by Tulin Celik and Ali Ural

Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2921; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212921 - 31 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1000

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) system applied to different regions for the strengthening of historical masonry domes was investigated, and the effects of the CFRP material on the structural performance of different regions were evaluated. One model served as the reference and did not include any reinforcement. In the other three models, reinforcement was applied by wrapping the CFRP around only the skirt region (EPS), only the drum region (EPD), and both the skirt and drum regions (EPSD). The effects of these reinforcement methods on the structural performance were analyzed through experimental tests simulating earthquake effects applied to the dome body wall region. The experimental findings were compared with numerical modeling results obtained using LUSAS V19.0 finite element software, and the overall effectiveness of the reinforcement methods was evaluated holistically. The results show that applying CFRP reinforcement only to the drum (rim) region provides the highest bearing capacity and is the most effective solution in terms of structural performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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19 pages, 3468 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Density-Based Topology-Optimized 3D-Printed Fixtures for Cyclic Mechanical Testing of Lattice Structures

by Josué Castro, Rodrigo Valle, Jorge Leiva, Angelo Oñate, Enrico Saggionetto, Anne Mertens and Víctor Tuninetti

Polymers 2025, 17(18), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17182468 - 12 Sep 2025

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2612

Abstract

The reliable experimental characterization of architected lattice materials under cyclic loading requires accurate fixture systems that ensure proper load transfer without introducing parasitic effects. This study presents the design and validation of testing fixtures optimized using density-based topological optimization techniques for performing cyclic load tests on lattice structures. The supports were manufactured with PLA filaments and evaluated using finite element simulation and experimental testing. The results show that the final design achieved a safety factor of 4.25, significantly improving on the initial value of 2.08. Likewise, the optimized supports showed reduced deformations by around 80% compared to the machine clamps, ensuring rigid and reliable stress transfer. In particular, while the metal structure of the test system showed deformations of several millimeters, the optimized PLA supports recorded displacements around 0.73 mm, confirming that they remain virtually rigid and ensure correct transmission of forces to the Kelvin-type structure. These findings confirm the viability of using PLA as an alternative to conventional metal devices in fixtures for mechanical testing of lattice materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Polymer Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications)

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