Development in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, constituted by a polymer matrix and fibers, are known as high-performance composite materials due to the combination of their advanced properties such as extremely high strength, high stiffness, and lightweight. The fibers incorporated in polymer composites can be natural or synthetic and are applied in the fabrication of advanced engineering structures for many sectors, such as construction, automotive, aerospace, and maritime, among others. At the industrial level, carbon, glass, and polymer fibers are one of the most common reinforcement in matrices that are mainly based on thermosetting polymers, such as epoxy or polyester resins, as well as on thermoplastic polymers. However, these composite materials based on synthetic fibers have significant drawbacks related to the environmental pollution caused by their residues and also their sources from non-renewable resources. Due to these concerns, much of the efforts of researchers in the field of FRP composites focus on new developments in recycling processes that enable the recovery of fibers with good qualities, the corresponding monomers of the polymer matrices, and on the replacement of both synthetic fibers by natural fibers and polymer matrixes synthesized from petroleum by biopolymers, which allow the obtainment of more renewable and eco-friendly products.

This Special Issue on “Development in Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites” offers an opportunity to submit research and review manuscripts associated with polymeric composites containing fibers and also with polymeric materials from renewable or recycling resources. This Special Issue covers all types of polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets, biopolymers, etc.) and fibers (synthetic, natural, recycled fibers, etc.), and involves novel developments, innovations, and applications in the field of FRP composites, with a special emphasis on the waste recycling and the manufacturing of bio-based products.

Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Merino
Dr. Mercedes Santiago-Calvo
Dr. María Asensio-Valentin
Dr. Karina Nuñez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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