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Polymers
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Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties
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Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal 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 June 2026 | Viewed by 4412

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Keon-Soo Jang

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Guest Editor
Department of Polymer Engineering, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Suwon, 17 Wauan-gil, Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong 18323, Republic of Korea
Interests: epoxy; extrusion; elasotmers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Polymers, titled "Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties", aims to present the latest advancements in the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymer composites reinforced with inorganic fillers. The incorporation of inorganic materials such as silica, alumina, carbonates, metal oxides, layered silicates, and hybrid nanoparticles into polymer matrices has proven to be an effective strategy for enhancing mechanical strength, thermal stability, dimensional integrity, and functional performance.

This Special Issue invites original research articles and reviews that explore filler surface modification, interfacial interactions, dispersion techniques, and processing innovations that contribute to performance improvements. Contributions addressing structure–property relationships, modeling, and application-oriented studies, including those relevant to automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, and packaging, are highly encouraged.

By bringing together interdisciplinary studies in materials science, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology, this Special Issue aims to offer valuable insights into the development of next-generation polymer composites with superior multifunctional properties.

Prof. Dr. Keon-Soo Jang
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-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
  • composite
  • inorganic filler
  • mechanical properties
  • thermal properties

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2163 KB  
Article
Effect of Gamma Irradiation and Simulated Physiological Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties of a 3D-Printed βTCP Composite
by Elham Seifi, Sacha Cavelier, Kerr D. G. Samson and Dietmar W. Hutmacher
Polymers 2026, 18(7), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18070817 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 675
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of hydration, temperature, and γ-irradiation on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Lactoprene® 7415, a linear block copolymer consisting of 74% lactide, 15% trimethylene carbonate, 11% ε-caprolactone repeating units, and 40 wt% β-TCP/Lactoprene® 7415 composite. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effects of hydration, temperature, and γ-irradiation on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Lactoprene® 7415, a linear block copolymer consisting of 74% lactide, 15% trimethylene carbonate, 11% ε-caprolactone repeating units, and 40 wt% β-TCP/Lactoprene® 7415 composite. Techniques including static and dynamic mechanical testing or differential scanning calorimetry have evidenced structural changes resulting from irradiation- or water-induced crystallinity, crosslinking, chain scission or plasticization. Notably, hydration and physiological temperatures reduced the mechanical properties but conferred hyperelastic characteristics to the polymeric and composite samples. γ-irradiation was detrimental for the mechanical properties, except for those of the pure polymer in dry conditions. Our results evidence a complex interplay between the polymer, particles, temperature, hydration and water. Such observations could have implications in future designs and investigations of composite materials for scaffold-guided bone regeneration (SGBR), such as sterilization processes or minimally invasive surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties)
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24 pages, 10217 KB  
Article
An SiO2-Filled Matrix to Improve the Thermal Behavior and Surface Integrity of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers Under Dry Milling
by Ali Mkaddem, Makram Elfarhani, Brahim Salem, Yousef Dobah, Yousof Ghazzawi and Abdessalem Jarraya
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060698 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 444
Abstract
This study discusses the thermal behavior of glass fiber-reinforced SiO2-filled polymers in dry milling. Focus is put on the effects of the addition of SiO2 particles on cutting-generated heat and the fresh-surface integrity of the composite. Cutting trials were developed [...] Read more.
This study discusses the thermal behavior of glass fiber-reinforced SiO2-filled polymers in dry milling. Focus is put on the effects of the addition of SiO2 particles on cutting-generated heat and the fresh-surface integrity of the composite. Cutting trials were developed using a Spinner U-620 5-axis CNC machine. Real-time temperature histories owing to the dry milling of both Glass/Epoxy and Glass/Polyester composites were recorded using thermocouples preinstalled within the composite specimen. SEM inspections were conducted to elucidate the prevailing failure mechanisms during the material removal process. The results showed that fiber orientation significantly dominated thermal responses. Cutting perpendicular to the fiber orientation results in a critical temperature, while the addition of SiO2 particles effectively reduces the temperature overlaps and peak values, causing the temperature to drop. The addition of SiO2 serves to keep the temperature sufficiently lower than the glass transition point of the matrix. However, increasing the feed rate from 50 mm/min to 150 mm/min reduced the overall temperature during cutting. Under similar cutting conditions, Glass/Polyester composites exhibited lower peak temperatures and heat quantities than Glass/Epoxy regardless of the feed rate and fiber orientation. Observations revealed that fiber orientation and matrix type strongly influence the intensity of the thermal and mechanical damages induced. These findings suggest that the addition of silicon dioxide can adjust the thermal balance in dry cutting and may improve the composite’s structural integrity significantly. Such a composite design promotes the heat control of sensitive parts in advanced engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties)
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13 pages, 2014 KB  
Article
Highly Thermally Conductive PDMS/h-BN Composites Enabled by Aspect-Ratio-Driven Alignment
by Mi-Ri An, Ji-Yoon Ahn, Eun-Taek Hor and Sung-Hoon Park
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040539 - 22 Feb 2026
Viewed by 603
Abstract
Shear-induced alignment of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) platelets offers a scalable route to high-performance, electrically insulating thermal management materials, yet the role of filler geometry under practical shear processing remains unclear. Here, we examine how platelet aspect ratio governs alignment and heat transport [...] Read more.
Shear-induced alignment of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) platelets offers a scalable route to high-performance, electrically insulating thermal management materials, yet the role of filler geometry under practical shear processing remains unclear. Here, we examine how platelet aspect ratio governs alignment and heat transport in PDMS/h-BN composites processed by sequential roll-gap controlled two-roll milling. Using a geometric moment-arm perspective, we relate the platelet effective radius to the shear-driven rotational driving moment. High-aspect-ratio platelets (L-BN) exhibit more stable flow-parallel alignment than small platelets (S-BN), forming a better-connected conductive network. At 175 wt% loading, the aligned L-BN composite achieves 10.3 W m−1 K−1 (94% higher than its random counterpart) and outperforms the S-BN system while also improving stiffness and device-relevant heat dissipation. These results identify aspect ratio as an alignment-enabling design criterion for scalable thermal management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties)
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18 pages, 50406 KB  
Article
Compatibilizing Effects of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/Mica Composites
by Hyun-woo Lee, Hayeong Lee and Keon-Soo Jang
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010040 - 23 Dec 2025
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has strong potential for use in sustainable packaging, automotive components, and structural materials; however, its inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability restrict broader application. To overcome these drawbacks, this study developed PLA-based composites reinforced with mica and compatibilized using poly(vinyl [...] Read more.
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has strong potential for use in sustainable packaging, automotive components, and structural materials; however, its inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability restrict broader application. To overcome these drawbacks, this study developed PLA-based composites reinforced with mica and compatibilized using poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB). To overcome the inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), this study investigated the incorporation of mica as a reinforcing filler into PLA and PLA/poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) composite systems. Five types of mica with varying particle sizes and densities were examined to evaluate their influence on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of the composites. The PLA/PVB blend was prepared in an 8:2 weight ratio, and mica was added at 5 phr (35 g). PLA/mica composites showed limited improvement in mechanical performance due to poor interfacial compatibility between PLA and mica, resulting in decreased tensile strength and non-uniform filler dispersion. In contrast, the addition of PVB, a tough and flexible polymer containing hydroxyl groups (ca. 20 mol%) remaining after polymerization, significantly enhanced the interfacial interaction with mica and improved filler dispersion within the matrix. As a result, PLA/PVB/mica composites exhibited increased tensile strength and toughness. Thermal analysis revealed that mica restricted polymer chain mobility, leading to higher glass transition temperatures, while PVB promoted a more uniform crystalline structure. Rheological studies indicated that PLA/PVB/mica composites had higher complex viscosity and lower melt flow index (MFI) due to increased molecular interactions and reduced chain mobility. Notably, certain mica types containing Ca2+ ions catalyzed chain scission during melt processing, leading to reduced molecular weight and increased MFI. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic combination of PVB and mica can effectively improve the processability and performance of PLA-based composites, offering a promising route for developing sustainable materials for advanced applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties)
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16 pages, 5322 KB  
Article
One-Pot Synthesis of Silicone–Urethane Hybrid Foam and Comparison of Flame Retardant, Rheological, and Mechanical Properties with Polyurethane Foam
by Sosan Hwang, Hyeon Woo Jeong, Asell Kim, Tae Soon Kwan, Sun Kyoung Jeoung, Sung-Hyeon Baeck, Sang Eun Shim and Yingjie Qian
Polymers 2025, 17(17), 2352; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17172352 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1405
Abstract
This study presents the design and fabrication of silicone–urethane hybrid foam (SUF) to improve fire safety in transportation seating. Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(OCT)2) was used to catalyze reactions between bifunctional isocyanates, polyols, and vinyl-terminated PDMS, enabling simultaneous curing and foaming. Sn(OCT)2 [...] Read more.
This study presents the design and fabrication of silicone–urethane hybrid foam (SUF) to improve fire safety in transportation seating. Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(OCT)2) was used to catalyze reactions between bifunctional isocyanates, polyols, and vinyl-terminated PDMS, enabling simultaneous curing and foaming. Sn(OCT)2 effectively facilitated both the foaming and gelation processes of silicone and urethane chemistries. The resulting SUF demonstrated a 44.55% reduction in peak heat release rate (PHRR) compared to UF, due to the PDMS network’s synergistic flame-retardant and barrier effects. Additionally, the crosslinked PDMS structure maintained strong mechanical integrity. This study offers a simple and effective approach for producing SUF with enhanced fire safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Filler-Based Polymeric Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties)
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