Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.7
3.4
Journals
Processes
Special Issues
Thermal Properties of Composite Materials
share announcement

Thermal Properties of Composite Materials

A Special Issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717) belonging to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 3699

Editor

Dr. Zecan Tu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
Interests: ceramic matrix composites; heat resistance; aero-engine; heat transfer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced composite materials are revolutionizing thermal management in aerospace, electronics, energy, and construction. Their engineered thermal behavior—spanning heat resistance, directional (anisotropic) thermal conductivity, and tailored thermal radiation—enables unprecedented control over heat flow in extreme environments. Optimizing these properties is critical for next-generation applications demanding efficiency, reliability, and miniaturization.

This Special Issue highlights cutting-edge research on the thermal properties of composites, with emphasis on:

  • Heat Transfer Mechanisms: Conduction (including gradient heat conduction), radiation, and their coupling in heterogeneous systems.
  • Performance Optimization: Design strategies for enhancing heat resistance, conductivity, and radiative dissipation.
  • Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs): Composites engineered to minimize interfacial thermal resistance.
  • Anisotropic Thermal Management: Leveraging microstructural alignment for directional heat control.
  • Multifunctional Integration: Materials balancing thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.

We invite studies on experimental characterization, computational modeling, and novel material designs that address thermal challenges in high-power electronics, energy systems, hypersonic structures, and sustainable infrastructure. Submissions advancing fundamental theory or practical thermal management solutions are encouraged.

Dr. Zecan Tu
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. Processes 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 2400 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

  • composite materials 
  • heat resistance 
  • thermal conduction 
  • thermal radiation
  • gradient heat conduction
  • optimization of thermal properties
  • thermal management
  • thermal interface materials
  • anisotropic thermal conductivity

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 10485 KB  
Article
Collaborative Optimization Between Efficient Thermal Dissipation and Microstructure of Ceramic Matrix Composite Component Under Non-Uniform Thermal Loads
by Yanchao Chu, Zecan Tu, Junkui Mao, Chao Yang, Weilong Wu and Keke Zhu
Processes 2026, 14(8), 1315; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081315 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 567
Abstract
This paper presents a collaborative optimization design methodology aimed at improving heat dissipation efficiency through the modulation of microstructural variations. The approach addresses the thermal protection requirements of high-temperature components, such as ceramic matrix composite turbine blades, which are subjected to complex and [...] Read more.
This paper presents a collaborative optimization design methodology aimed at improving heat dissipation efficiency through the modulation of microstructural variations. The approach addresses the thermal protection requirements of high-temperature components, such as ceramic matrix composite turbine blades, which are subjected to complex and elevated thermal loads. Through the integration of numerical simulation and experimental validation, a bidirectional mapping model linking carbon nanotube (CNT) content with the macroscopic anisotropic thermal conductivity of the material was developed. Furthermore, a thermal conduction analysis and optimization framework for Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) high-temperature components under non-uniform thermal loads was established. This study expands the adjustable range of the material’s thermal conductivity by allowing flexible modulation of carbon nanotube content. The results demonstrate that this methodology effectively enhances the heat dissipation capacity of CMC materials in extreme thermal environments: the maximum surface temperature of the optimized flat plate is reduced by 8.96%, the peak temperature gradient is lowered by 46.64%, and the maximum thermal stress is decreased by 38.17%. This research provides new insights into the comprehensive integration of thermal dissipation requirements for CMC hot components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Properties of Composite Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 31335 KB  
Article
Ensemble-Based Material-Specific Prediction of Thermal Conductivity for Steel Slag Asphalt Mixtures
by Jiangnan Zhao, Wangwen Sun, Zhuangzhuang Liu, Jie Mu, Xinshuo Cui, Xianxu Liu, Shasha Jiang and Yuhao Chao
Processes 2026, 14(4), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040689 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Thermal conductivity is a crucial parameter for heat transfer in asphalt pavements, especially in cold regions where electrically heated snow-melting systems are used. Steel slag, an industrial by-product with high thermal conductivity, holds significant potential to enhance the thermal performance of asphalt mixtures. [...] Read more.
Thermal conductivity is a crucial parameter for heat transfer in asphalt pavements, especially in cold regions where electrically heated snow-melting systems are used. Steel slag, an industrial by-product with high thermal conductivity, holds significant potential to enhance the thermal performance of asphalt mixtures. However, its thermal behavior is influenced by various factors. This study established a thermal conductivity database consisting of 200 samples from published experimental studies, incorporating data collection, graphical digitization, and physically constrained expansion. Mixture composition, volumetric structure, and steel slag properties were used as input variables, with thermal conductivity as the output. Five machine learning models including k-nearest neighbors regression, decision tree, random forest, support vector regression, and gradient boosting were developed. Among them, random forest and gradient boosting showed the highest accuracy and robustness. Feature importance analysis revealed that steel slag content is the primary factor affecting thermal conductivity, while material properties and gradation parameters play secondary roles. This data-driven framework facilitates the efficient prediction and design of thermal conductivity in steel slag asphalt mixtures, supporting the engineering application of functional asphalt pavements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Properties of Composite Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4448 KB  
Article
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable One-Component Polyurethane Syntactic Foams Reinforced with Fly Ash Cenospheres for Acoustic and Thermal Insulation
by Hakkı Özer and Anıl Burak Bektaşoğlu
Processes 2025, 13(11), 3420; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113420 - 24 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1436
Abstract
In this study, syntactic composite foams were developed by incorporating cenosphere (CS) particles recovered from recycled fly ash into a one-component polyurethane (PU) foam system. During production, CS was added to the spray-applied PU foam at specific ratios, and the foaming reaction was [...] Read more.
In this study, syntactic composite foams were developed by incorporating cenosphere (CS) particles recovered from recycled fly ash into a one-component polyurethane (PU) foam system. During production, CS was added to the spray-applied PU foam at specific ratios, and the foaming reaction was simultaneously initiated via manual mixing. This approach minimized particle settling caused by the filler–matrix density difference and promoted a more homogeneous structure. Two types of CS, with mean sizes of approximately 70 µm and 130 µm, were incorporated at five loadings ranging from 5 wt% to 15 wt%. The resulting composites were evaluated for their acoustic, mechanical, and thermal performance. Thermal analyses revealed that CS addition increased the glass-transition temperature (Tg) by ≈12 °C and delayed the 5% mass-loss temperature (T5%) by ≈30–35 °C compared with the neat N2 foam, confirming the stabilizing role of cenospheres. The refoaming process with manual mixing promoted finer cell diameters and thicker walls, enhancing the sound absorption coefficient (α), particularly at medium and high frequencies. Moreover, increasing the filler content improved both the sound transmission loss (STL) and compressive strength, alongside density, although further gains in α and STL were limited beyond a 10 wt% filler content. Significant enhancements in compressive strength were achieved at filler ratios above 12.5 wt%. Unlike conventional two-component PU foams, this study demonstrates a sustainable one-component PU system reinforced with recycled cenospheres that simultaneously achieves acoustic, mechanical, and thermal multifunctionality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on incorporating recycled cenospheres into a one-component PU foam system, overcoming dispersion challenges of conventional two-component formulations and presenting an environmentally responsible route for developing versatile insulation materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Properties of Composite Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 2032 KB  
Review
Multilayer Recycled Textiles: Sustainable Retrofitting and Thermal Insulation Impact
by Ahmad Fraz, Musaddaq Azeem, Imran Ahmad Khan, Umair Mukhtar and Muhammad Tayyab Noman
Processes 2026, 14(17), 2709; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14172709 - 25 Aug 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 461
Abstract
The construction sector plays a significant role in global energy consumption and carbon emissions; improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. Retrofitting the internal walls of buildings requires insulating materials that not only provide effective thermal performance [...] Read more.
The construction sector plays a significant role in global energy consumption and carbon emissions; improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. Retrofitting the internal walls of buildings requires insulating materials that not only provide effective thermal performance but are also environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and compatible with circular-economy principles. In this context, recycled textile materials, especially cotton and polyester, are gaining increasing attention as sustainable insulation systems. This review article aims to critically evaluate the thermal insulation, environmental performance, and potential use of woven textile insulation structures based on recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and an equal combination of both in internal wall retrofitting. This article systematically reviews the available scientific literature and presents a conceptual framework based on multilayer woven structures. This review highlights that increasing the number of layers can play a significant role in improving thermal resistance, reducing heat transfer, and limiting internal energy loss by increasing the static air spaces between the fibers. Furthermore, the use of recycled textiles can also achieve environmental benefits such as reducing textile waste, conserving natural resources, and reducing overall carbon emissions. The research also offers a useful guiding framework for the development of sustainable building technologies based on low-carbon construction, efficient use of resources, and a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Properties of Composite Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop