Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume)

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2022) | Viewed by 23835

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Viktor Gribniak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio av. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: composites; reinforcement; additive manufacturing; materials characterization; structural tests; numerical modelling; data analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The modern industry allows synthesising composite materials with a wide range of mechanical properties applicable in medicine, aviation, automotive, etc. Structural use of innovative engineering technologies, however, requires a new design concept related to the development of materials with mechanical properties tailored for the purposes of construction. This is opposite to the current design practice, in which design solutions are associated with the application of existing materials, the physical characteristics of which are generally imperfectly suited to the application requirements. The choice of construction materials has considerable room for improvement from a scientific viewpoint (following heuristic approaches).

The identification of fundamental relationships between the structure of advanced composites and the corresponding physical properties is the focus of this Special Issue. This second volume continues the successful series of publications focused on the development of sustainable composites with valorised manufacturability for a breakthrough from conventional practices and corresponding to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 ideology. The articles published in the previous volume revealed that the application of nanoparticles improves the mechanical performance of composite materials; fibrous reinforcement improves the ductility of structural components; advanced woven fabrics efficiently reinforce soft body armour; heat-resistant aluminium composites ensure the safety of overhead power transmission lines; chemical additives can help of detecting temperature impact on concrete structures, and so on. The publication series aims to combine the innovative achievements of the experts in the fields of materials and structural engineering to raise the scientific and practical value of the gathered results of the interdisciplinary researches.

Dr. Viktor Gribniak
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Materials 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 2600 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

composites
fibres
nanoparticles
manufacturing technology
materials characterisation
materials structure
structural application
tests

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 4223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation into Thermomechanical Response of Polymer Composite Materials Produced through Additive Manufacturing Technologies

by Raluca Maier, Anca Mihaela Istrate, Alexandra Despa, Andrei Cristian Mandoc, Sebastian Bucaciuc and Romică Stoica

Materials 2022, 15(14), 5069; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15145069 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2037

Abstract

This paper presents the static mechanical behavior and the dynamic thermomechanical properties of four market-available reinforced and non-reinforced thermoplastics and photopolymer materials used as precursors in different additive manufacturing technologies. This article proposes a characterization approach to further address development of aeronautic secondary structures via 3D-printed composite materials replacing conventional manufactured carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Different 3D printing materials, technologies, printing directions, and parameters were investigated. Experimental results showed that carbon-reinforced ONYX_R material exhibits a transition point at 114 °C, a 600 MPa tensile strength, and an average tensile strain of 2.5%, comparable with conventional CFRP composites manufactured via autoclave, making it a suitable candidate for replacing CFRP composites, in the aim of taking advantage of 3D printing technologies. ONYX material exhibits higher stiffness than Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer (ABS), or conventional Nylon 6/6 polyamide, the flexural modulus being 2.5 GPa; nevertheless, the 27 °C determined transition temperature limits its stability at higher temperature. Daylight High Tensile (further called HTS) resin exhibits a tensile strength and strain increase when shifting the printing direction from transversal to longitudinal, while no effect was observed in HighTemp DL400 resin (further called HTP). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Energy Dissipation in the Mixed-State YBa₂Cu₃O_7-_δ Superconductor with Partially Deoxygenated Structures

by Artūras Jukna

Materials 2022, 15(12), 4260; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15124260 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1034

Abstract

Energy dissipation from vortex motion, which appears as a resistivity of the mixed-state superconductor, limits the range of type II superconductors in low- and high-power electronics and optoelectronics. The level of dissipation increases with the development of the vortex motion phase from that of the thermally activated flux flow to that of the flux creep and finally to that of the flux flow. The vortex motion regimes depend on the balance between bias current-self-produced Lorentz force, accelerating vortices, and the pinning force, which, together with a magnetic drag force from pinned vortices, tends to stop the vortex motion. The current paper reports on energy dissipation in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) devices provided with partially deoxygenated structures mutually interacting by magnetic force with one another. The shape of the structure and the magnetic interaction between the trapped and moving vortices, as well as the magnetic interaction between neighboring structures, can cause the appearance of voltage steps in the device’s current–voltage characteristics observed in temperature range 0.94 ≥ T/T_c ≥ 0.98 (here, T_c = 91.4 K is the temperature of the superconducting transition in the YBCO material). Current findings demonstrate the potential of artificial structures to control vortex motion in a mixed-state YBCO superconductor by means of a temperature, bias current, and a specific configuration of the structure itself and a profile of the oxygen distribution in it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 16769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Sample Geometry Effect on Mechanical Performance of Drilled GFRP Connections

by Yongcheng Zhu, Hua Zhu and Viktor Gribniak

Materials 2022, 15(8), 2901; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15082901 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1314

Abstract

A considerable effort to understand the bolted joints’ mechanical behavior in pultruded profiles has existed in the literature over the past decades. However, most investigations focused on the single-bolt connections, and only a few works considered single-lap joints. This paper investigates the mechanical performance of a single-lap connection of pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates owning to the experimental data deficit in the literature. Tensile tests of specimens with different geometries generate a database comprising 80 single-bolt joints. The shear-out failure was predominant for the considered GFRP pultruded plates, with the end length mainly affecting the load-bearing capacity. Hart-Smith’s theoretical model overestimated the ultimate resistance of all considered joints—the exceptionally low efficiency of the GFRP composite points out the necessity of additional means for strengthening the drilled connections. Additionally, finite element (FE) software Abaqus simulated the bolted joints; this study employs the user-defined subroutine experimentally verified in the literature. In the considered examples, the ultimate resistance prediction error decreased from 25.7% to 2.9% with increasing the plate thickness (from 4 mm to 8 mm) and width (from 25 mm to 35 mm), which proves the reasonable adequacy of the simplified FE model and makes it a valuable reference for further bolted joints’ development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 11365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation of the Seismic Performance of Steel Frames with Energy-Dissipating Composite Walls

by Ding Wei and Jia Suizi

Materials 2022, 15(3), 828; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15030828 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

To improve the seismic performance of steel frame buildings in rural areas, an energy-dissipating composite wall (EDCW) assembled from concrete-filled steel tubular columns and concrete sheet walls was designed. Cyclic loading tests were simulated using the finite element method (FEM) to analyse the seismic performance of the EDCW. The reliability of numerical modelling and analysis was verified by comparing the hysteretic curves obtained by the finite element model with those obtained by previous experiments. The EDCW was designed for installation in a two-storey steel frame, and the FEM was used to determine the seismic performance of the steel frame, including the deformation and failure characteristics, hysteresis curves, and skeleton curves. The numerical simulation results showed that the EDCW dissipated most of the seismic energy and thus substantially improved the seismic performance of the frame. The seismic performances of 16 frames were compared to investigate the effects of the span ratio of the steel frame to the EDCW, the installation location of the EDCW, and the stiffness of the steel frame on the seismic performance of the frame. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Bond Characterization on Load-Mean Strain and Tension Stiffening Behavior of Concrete Elements Reinforced with Embedded FRP Reinforcement

by Marta Baena, Cristina Barris, Ricardo Perera and Lluís Torres

Materials 2022, 15(3), 799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15030799 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1358

Abstract

Based on the characterization of the bond between Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars and concrete, the structural behavior of cracked Glass-FRP (GFRP)-Reinforced Concrete (RC) tensile elements is studied in this paper. Simulations in which different bond-slip laws between both materials (FRP reinforcement and concrete) were used to analyze the effect of GFRP bar bond performance on the load transfer process and how it affects the load-mean strain curve, the distribution of reinforcement strain, the distribution of slip between reinforcement and concrete, and the tension stiffening effect. Additionally, a parametric study on the effect of materials (concrete grade, modulus of elasticity of the reinforcing bar, surface configuration, and reinforcement ratio) on the load-mean strain curve and the tension stiffening effect was also performed. Results from a previous experimental program, in combination with additional results obtained from Finite Element Analysis (FEA), were used to demonstrate the accuracy of the model to correctly predict the global (load-mean strain curve) and local (distribution of strains between cracks) structural behavior of the GFRP RC tensile elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 3153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Plastic Behavior in the Large Deflection Response of Fiber Metal Laminate Sandwich Beams under Transverse Loading

by Mingshi Wang, Jianxun Zhang, Hui Yuan, Haoyuan Guo and Wenbo Zhuang

Materials 2022, 15(2), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15020439 - 07 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1157

Abstract

The plastic behavior in the large deflection response of slender sandwich beams with fiber metal laminate (FML) face sheets and a metal foam core under transverse loading is studied. According to a modified rigid–perfectly plastic material approximation, an analytical model is developed, and simple formulae are obtained for the large deflection response of fully clamped FML sandwich beams, considering the interaction of bending and stretching. Finite element (FE) calculations are conducted, and analytical predictions capture numerical results reasonably in the plastic stage of large deflection. The influences of metal volume fraction, strength ratio of metal to composite layer, core strength, and punch size on the plastic behavior in the large deflection response of FML sandwich beams are discussed. It is suggested that, if the structural behavior of fiber-metal laminate sandwich beams is plasticity dominated, it is similar to that of metal sandwich beams. Moreover, both metal volume fraction and the strength ratio of metal to composite layer are found to be important for the plastic behavior in the large deflection response of fiber metal laminate sandwich beams, while core strength and punch size might have little influence on it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysing the Confinement Effect in Hollow Core Steel-Concrete Composite Columns under Axial Compression

by Antanas Šapalas and Andrej Mudrov

Materials 2021, 14(20), 6046; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14206046 - 13 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1345

Abstract

Spun concrete technology allows manufacturing the reinforced concrete poles, piles, and columns with a circular hollow core. This concreting method ensures higher concrete density and strength than the traditional vibration technique and self-compacting concrete. This technology defines an attractive alternative for producing steel-concrete composite elements, allowing efficient utilisation of the materials due to the confinement effect. This study experimentally investigates the material behaviour of the composite columns subjected to axial compression. The experimental results support the above inference—the test outcomes demonstrate the 1.2–2.1 times increase of the compressive strength of the centrifugal concrete regarding the vibrated counterpart; the experimental resistance of the composite columns 1.25 times exceeds the theoretical load-bearing capacity. The proposed mechanical-geometrical parameter can help to quantify the composite efficiency. The parametric analysis employs the finite element model verified using the test results. It demonstrates a negligible bond model effect on the deformation prediction outcomes, indirectly indicating the steel shell confinement effect and confirming the literature results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 24405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interfacial Failure in Stitched Foam Sandwich Composites

by Yue Hu, Jun Zhu, Jihui Wang and Yibo Wu

Materials 2021, 14(9), 2275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14092275 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1671

Abstract

In this paper, the use of a customized automatic reinforcement stitching equipment was demonstrated. The stitching of foam sandwich composite preforms was achieved to obtain structures with improved interfacial properties. The effect of different stitching spacings on the crack propagation process in glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP)/foam sandwich composite interfaces was examined by Mode-I Cracked Sandwich Beam (CSB) fracture tests. The load–displacement curve, the crack propagation process, and the release rate of critical strain energy were analyzed. The CSB fracture test results show that the stitching treatment with different stitching spacings increase the peak load and fracture displacement. Furthermore, it was found that the mechanism of crack propagation is changed by the stitching process. The release rates of the critical strain energy in specimens with 0- and 10-mm stitch spacings were evenly distributed, with an average of 0.961 kJ/m² and 1.667 kJ/m², respectively, while the release rates of critical strain energy in specimens with 6-mm and 8-mm stitch spacings were linearly distributed. The CSB fracture tests confirmed that the best suture spacing was 8 mm. Based on these results, the mechanism of crack propagation and the toughening mechanism of the resin column could be revealed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Generation of Self-Assembled 3D Network in TPU by Insertion of Al₂O₃/h-BN Hybrid for Thermal Conductivity Enhancement

by Kai-Han Su, Cherng-Yuh Su, Po-Wei Chi, Prem Chandan, Cheng-Ta Cho, Wan-Yu Chi and Maw-Kuen Wu

Materials 2021, 14(2), 238; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14020238 - 06 Jan 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2828

Abstract

Thermal management has become one of the crucial factors in designing electronic equipment and therefore creating composites with high thermal conductivity is necessary. In this work, a new insight on hybrid filler strategy is proposed to enhance the thermal conductivity in Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). Firstly, spherical aluminium oxide/hexagonal boron nitride (ABN) functional hybrid fillers are synthesized by the spray drying process. Then, ABN/TPU thermally conductive composite material is produced by melt mixing and hot pressing. Then, ABN/TPU thermally conductive composite material is produced by melt mixing and hot pressing. Our results demonstrate that the incorporation of spherical hybrid ABN filler assists in the formation of a three-dimensional continuous heat conduction structure that enhances the thermal conductivity of the neat thermoplastic TPU matrix. Hence, we present a valuable method for preparing the thermal interface materials (TIMs) with high thermal conductivity, and this method can also be applied to large-scale manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation and Improvement of Bond Performance of Synthetic Macro-Fibres in Concrete

by Mantas Garnevičius, Linas Plioplys, Pui-Lam Ng, Shaohua Chu and Viktor Gribniak

Materials 2020, 13(24), 5688; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13245688 - 13 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1524

Abstract

Strength and stiffness are the key parameters characterising the bond performance of fibres in concrete. However, a straightforward procedure for estimating the bond parameters of a synthetic macro-fibre does not exist. This study employs pull-out tests to investigate the bond behaviour of synthetic macro-fibres. Two types of macro-fibres available in the market were investigated. A gripping system was developed to protect the fibres from local damage. The experimental campaign consisted of two stages. At the first stage, 32 concrete specimens were manufactured for performing 96 pull-out tests (three fibre samples were embedded in each cube perpendicular to the top surface and two sides). Two types of macro-fibres with either 10 or 20 mm embedment length were tested. The obtained load–displacement diagrams from pull-out tests demonstrate that the bond performance (characterised by the strength and deformation modulus) of the “top” fibres is almost 20% weaker than fibres positioned to the side surfaces. At the second stage, one type of macro-fibre was chosen for further experimentation of the feasibility of improving the bond performance through the use of colloidal silica or steel micro-fibres. This investigation stage employed an additional 36 concrete specimens. The use of steel micro-fibres was found to be an efficient alternative. The success of this solution requires a suitable proportioning of the concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 4967 KiB

Open AccessReview

Deterioration Mechanisms and Advanced Inspection Technologies of Aluminum Windows

by Huaguo Chen, Cheuk Lun Chow and Denvid Lau

Materials 2022, 15(1), 354; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15010354 - 04 Jan 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2750

Abstract

Aluminum windows are crucial components of building envelopes since they connect the indoor space to the external environment. Various external causes degrade or harm the functioning of aluminum windows. In this regard, inspecting the performance of aluminum windows is a necessary task to keep buildings healthy. This review illustrates the deterioration mechanisms of aluminum windows under various environmental conditions with an intention to provide comprehensive information for developing damage protection and inspection technologies. The illustrations reveal that moisture and chloride ions have the most detrimental effect on deteriorating aluminum windows in the long run, while mechanical loads can damage aluminum windows in a sudden manner. In addition, multiple advanced inspection techniques potential to benefit assessing aluminum window health state are discussed in order to help tackle the efficiency problem of traditional visual inspection. The comparison among those techniques demonstrates that infrared thermography can help acquire a preliminary defect profile of inspected windows, whereas ultrasonic phased arrays technology demonstrates a high level of competency in analyzing comprehensive defect information. This review also discusses the challenges in the scarcity of nanoscale corrosion information for insightful understandings of aluminum window corrosion and reliable window inspection tools for lifespan prediction. In this regard, molecular dynamics simulation and artificial intelligence technology are recommended as promising tools for better revealing the deterioration mechanisms and advancing inspection techniques, respectively, for future directions. It is envisioned that this paper will help upgrade the aluminum window inspection scheme and contribute to driving the construction of intelligent and safe cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4557 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Torsion—Resistant Structures: A Nature Addressed Solution

by Federica Buccino, Giada Martinoia and Laura Maria Vergani

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14185368 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4101

Abstract

The complexity of torsional load, its three-dimensional nature, its combination with other stresses, and its disruptive impact make torsional failure prevention an ambitious goal. However, even if the problem has been addressed for decades, a deep and organized treatment is still lacking in the actual research landscape. For this reason, this review aims at presenting a methodical approach to address torsional issues starting from a punctual problem definition. Accidents and breaks due to torsion, which often occur in different engineering fields such as mechanical, biomedical, and civil industry are considered and critically compared. More in depth, the limitations of common-designed torsion-resistant structures (i.e., high complexity and increased weight) are highlighted, and emerge as a crucial point for a deeper nature-driven analysis of novel solutions. In this context, an accurate screening of torsion-resistant bio-inspired unit cells is presented, taking inspiration specifically from plants, that are often subjected to the torsional effect of winds. As future insights, the actual state of technology suggests an innovative transposition to the industry: these unit cells could be prominently implied to develop novel metamaterials that could be able to address the torsional issue with a multi-scale and tailored arrangement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composites: From Materials Characterization to Structural Application (Second Volume))

► Show Figures