今日更新：Composite Structures 6 篇，Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 4 篇，Composites Part B: Engineering 5 篇
Composite Structures
Impact of delamination on mechanical performance of glass fiber-reinforced composites by experiments and data-driven model
Zhang Senlin, Wu Zhen, Xu Lingbo
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119068
分层对玻璃纤维增强复合材料力学性能影响的实验与数据驱动模型
Delamination is usually induced by the manufacturing process and extreme external loads, which significantly threaten the load-bearing capacity of the structures. To reduce the influence of delamination, it is desired to investigate the influencing mechanism of delamination on the mechanical performance of the composite laminates. To this end, 14 types of glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) unidirectional composite plates with or without circular delamination are fabricated, in which the delaminations are designed in different diameters and locations along the thickness. Subsequently, the static three-point bending tests are performed, in which the test techniques including high-speed camera, digital image correlation (DIC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and metallographic microscope are employed to measure the damage behaviors. When delamination is close to the upper surface, the experiments show that the layers between the delamination and the upper surface will occur local buckling with the increase of the delamination scale. Local buckling will accelerate delamination growth, whereas such an issue is scarcely reported in the published literature. In addition, the fiber bridging phenomenon can also be observed, which should be considered in the numerical analysis. Compared to the intact specimen, the bending strengths of the specimens with delamination at the location close to the upper surface are reduced by between 12.22% and 30.46%, while those of the specimens with delamination at the location close to the bottom surface are reduced by between 4.56% and 17.08%. To explore more influences of delamination on bending behaviors, an artificial neural network model (ANNM) has been constructed, which can quickly and accurately predict the bending strength of such structures. Such a method will be employed to investigate the bending strength degradation with different delamination sizes.
Extended refined zigzag theory accounting for two-dimensional thermoelastic deformations in thick composite and sandwich beams
Heinz Wimmer, Alexander Tessler, Christian Celigoj
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119076
考虑厚复合材料和夹层梁二维热弹性变形的扩展精炼之字形理论
The Extended Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT-E) is introduced for the linear elastic analysis of composite and sandwich beams under static and thermal loads. Building on the Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT), RZT-E incorporates a cubic and zigzag variation for axial displacement and a parabolic and zigzag approximation for transverse displacement, enabling higher-order deformation effects and thickness-stretch modes. These enhancements improve accuracy, particularly for beams with varying material properties and thermal gradients. The mechanical loading includes arbitrary transverse normal and shear tractions applied to the top and bottom surfaces, while thermal loads are modelled using a piecewise linear through-thickness function, accounting for zigzag variations from transient thermal analyses. The formulation involves seven independent kinematic variables, regardless of the number of layers, and employs the virtual work principle to derive seven equilibrium equations with consistent boundary conditions. Analytical solutions are provided for simply supported beams under transverse pressure, shear tractions, and varying thermal loads. Transverse shear and normal stresses are calculated using two-dimensional Cauchy equilibrium equations during post-processing. RZT-E shows improved accuracy over RZT, particularly for cases with significant material or thermal variations. It eliminates the need for shear correction factors and is ideally suited for the development of efficient C0-continuous finite elements.
Thermoplastic composites, appreciated for their lightweight, high specific strength, excellent energy absorption, and crash resistance, are gaining popularity in aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. High-temperature environments can lead to the degradation of inter-laminar stresses and component performance. To assure the credible application of thermoplastic composites during service environments, an in-depth analyze of the relationship between the inter-laminar properties and temperature is essential. In this study, the effect of temperature on the process of delamination propagation in thermoplastic composite structures was analyzed by performing delamination propagation tests of double cantilever beam (DCB) at different temperatures. The results show that temperature has an important effect on fracture toughness, delamination propagation rate, delamination propagation resistance curve (R-curve), and the number of fiber bridges. The bridging traction at the interface of the thermoplastic composite plate decreases with increasing temperature. The fracture toughness G_I were reduced by 67.5%, 72.4% and 85.1% at temperatures of 40℃, 60℃ and 80℃, respectively, compared to the room temperature. Finally, the obtained traction-separation relationship was integrated into trilinear cohesive zone mode considering the effect of temperature. The numerical results were agreement with the experimental results, evidencing that the proposed trilinear cohesive zone mode was suitable for modeling the delamination propagation of thermoplastic composite laminates at high temperatures.
The R-functions combined with the Ritz method: An assessment on the integration schemes
R. Vescovini
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119066
r函数与Ritz方法的结合：对积分方案的评价
This work introduces a method based on the combination of the R-functions and the Ritz method for the static and free vibration analysis of plates, overcoming several limitations commonly associated with Ritz-based approaches. The proposed method enables the study of arbitrary geometries, boundary conditions, and loading configurations while also allowing for the analysis of plates with spatially varying stiffness distributions. The study focuses on the integration techniques employed to construct the governing equations, proposing a novel sub-cell representation method. This approach ensures both robustness and simplicity in implementation, while providing an accurate domain representation and enhanced computational efficiency. Through a series of representative numerical examples and comparisons with benchmark solutions, the influence of integration techniques on solution accuracy and the Ritz upper bound property is examined. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed methodology compared to existing techniques, establishing it as a promising alternative for structural analysis applications.
Collaborative control of crack guiding and trapping in bioinspired interfaces on effective toughness
Shihan Man, Hongjun Yu, Jianshan Wang
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119094
仿生界面裂缝引导与捕获对有效韧性的协同控制
Interface phases are frequently employed to allow deformation and energy absorption to improve the toughness of biological materials. To explore the design space, a combination of the phase field model and 3D printing is adopted to investigate the fracture behaviors of the interface phase and the effective toughness of bioinspired materials. For the heterogeneous interface phase with smooth Young’s modulus, the period number of the smoothing modulation of Young’s modulus is positively correlated with the far-field J while it has a slight influence on the near-tip J. It indicates that effective toughness can be enhanced by increasing the period number of Young’s modulus. In the case where two Young’s moduli alternate along the interface, the effective toughness is highly dependent on the inclined angle of the compliant-to-stiff interface due to stress fluctuations caused by mismatched elastic parameters and crack nucleation. The experimental test of a 3D-printed bioinspired gradient interface indicates that weak interface phases guide crack propagation while strong interface phases trap cracks. For the structured interface phase, interlocking regions prevent the crack from continuing to propagate and the effective toughness exhibits the directional asymmetry. In all, crack guiding and trapping in the interface phase collaboratively control the effective toughness.
Microstructure formation and friction and wear properties of WC steel matrix configuration composites with different matrices
Zulai Li, Yifan Shi, Fei Zhang, He Wei, Zhixiang Yang, Lin Yang, Quan Shan
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119098
不同基体WC钢基组态复合材料的显微组织形成及摩擦磨损性能
The impact of diverse matrices on the microstructure and friction wear characteristics of WC matrix composites has been the subject of investigation. In this study, three types of WC matrix composites with different matrices compositions were prepared using the casting infiltration method. The matrices employed were high manganese steel, high chromium cast iron, and high carbon steel. The microstructure and phase composition of the WC steel composites with different matrices have been investigated using a range of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and field transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This paper presents the findings of an investigation into the friction and wear properties of different matrices WC steel matrix composites. The high manganese steel sample is primarily composed of α-Fe, Fe3W3C, and Cr7C3, while the high chromium cast iron and high carbon steel specimen are predominantly constituted by α-Fe, Fe6W6C, and Cr7C3. The Fe6W6C phase formed in the high carbon steel sample exhibits both [1, 1, −1] and [-1,1–6] as the zone axis. The hardness, friction coefficient and wear rate of the high carbon steel samples were superior, with values of 751.13 HV, 0.60 and 10.3110-5mm3/(Nm) respectively. Under identical conditions, the wear resistance is fourfold that of the high manganese steel sample and 70 % that of the high chromium cast iron sample. The superior wear resistance of the high carbon steel specimen is likely attributable to the distinctive shape and orientation of the Fe6W6C composite zone.
The application of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite (CFRP) fan blades is crucial for weight reduction in high bypass ratio turbofan aircraft engines. Automated fiber placement (AFP) has the greatest potential for automating the production of CFRP fan blades. To help achieve high manufacturing quality and stability of fan blades, this review summarizes the key areas of AFP forming fan blades and generates an overall understanding of the key scientific challenges. Based on these understandings, an integrated research and development method for AFP (IRDM-AFP) is proposed, integrating virtual and measured data-driven modeling methods for parameter optimization to assist the manufacturing of high shape accuracy and performance of fan blades. The feasibility and necessity of IRDM-AFP is demonstrated through a preliminary study of AFP forming experiment for fan blade in an element level. This review provides a promising method for subsequent research and applications on AFP forming of CFRP fan blades.
Continuum damage modeling of unidirectional 3D-printed composites under longitudinal tension
E. Polyzos, I.A. Rodrigues Lopes, P.P. Camanho, D. Van Hemelrijck, L. Pyl
doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108850
单向3d打印复合材料纵向拉伸连续损伤建模
This work presents a two-scale modeling approach for simulating the progressive damage behavior of unidirectional 3D-printed composites reinforced with continuous fibers. The approach utilizes a semi-analytical method, combining analytical homogenization at the micro-scale and finite element modeling at the macro-scale. At the micro-scale, the analytical model incorporates weakest link theory and Weibull statistics to account for fiber damage. At the macro-scale, a novel method based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM) is developed to consider damage evolution. The two-scale modeling approach is compared to experimental results of tensile and open-hole tests of 3D-printed composites reinforced with continuous carbon fibers. The comparison demonstrates that the two-scale modeling approach captures well the complex mechanical behavior of unidirectional 3D-printed composites.
Dynamic analysis of composite laminated sandwich plates with graphene-reinforced magnetorheological elastomer: Numerical and experimental study
Purushothaman Selvaraj, Ramesh Babu Vemuluri
doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108874
石墨烯增强磁流变弹性体复合材料夹层板动力分析：数值与实验研究
This study investigates the dynamic characteristics of composite laminated magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) sandwich plates, both with and without graphene in theMRE core. First, the composite laminated face sheets, MRE core, and graphene-reinforced MRE (GMRE) core are prepared. Then laminated composite MRE sandwich plates (MRESP) and graphene-reinforced MRE sandwich plates (GMRESP) are fabricated, and the natural frequencies of the sandwich plates are determined experimentally with various magnetic fields under clamped-free (CF) boundary conditions. The governing differential equations for the composite laminated MRESP and GMRESP are derived using classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) and solved using Lagrange formulation. Numerical simulation has been conducted using MATLAB, results are validated with experimental results and available literature. Further, the influence of various parameters on MRESP and GMRESP dynamic behaviour was investigated.The GMRESP and MRESP natural frequencies exhibit an increase of 30.29 % and 26.51 %, respectively, as the magnetic field increased from 0G to 300G.
Enhancing the heat resistance, dielectric properties, and flame retardancy of self-curing silicon-based phthalonitrile/quartz composites for a rapid hot-melt prepreg process
The robust operation of electromagnetic waves in communication systems with extreme temperatures relies on high-temperature resistant wave-transparent composites, with organic resin matrix being a pivotal constituent. Enhancing the heat resistance of resins while maintaining excellent processability poses a significant challenge. Herein, a novel “rigid-in-flexible” self-curing silicon-basedsilicon-basedphthalonitrile monomer containing phenylacetylene backbone (Si-ALK-PN) was designed. The silazane component disrupts the crystallinity in Si-ALK-PN, resulting in a characteristic of low viscosity (0.3 Pa·s) and extended processing window (>3h). After curing at 450 °C, the resin, namely Si-ALK-PN-450 °C, demonstrated exceptional thermal stability (T 5% = 631 °C) and thermo-oxidative stability (T 5% = 560 °C). Their quartz fiber-infused composites (Si-ALK-PNs/QF) were manufactured through a straightforward melt processing approach. Upon post-curing at 450 °C, Si-ALK-PN-450 °C/QF exhibited elevated glass transition temperature, flexural strength, and consistent dielectric properties across a wide temperature ranging from 25 °C to 600 °C. Especially, it exhibited excellent flame retardancy as well, stemming from release of eco-friendlyeco-friendly inert gases (NH3) and the high thermal stability of N-enriched all-aromatic PN resin. The design concept of “rigid-in-flexible”, along with the multi-functional group co-curing strategy, offers a promising solution for addressing the trade-off between processing and heat resistance in resins, extending beyond PN resins.
Anisotropic topology optimization and 3D printing for composite structures with tailored continuous carbon fiber paths
Thuan Ho-Nguyen-Tan, Young Jae Kim, Geun Sik Shin, Jun Yeon Hwang, Minkook Kim, Soon Ho Yoon
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112371
具有定制连续碳纤维路径的复合材料结构的各向异性拓扑优化和3D打印
This paper presents an integration of level set-based anisotropic topology optimization and 3D printing for designing continuous carbon fiber (CCF)-reinforced polymer composite structures. During the optimization process, geometric boundaries of the composite structure are updated by solving a reaction–diffusion equation. Based on these boundaries, the fast marching algorithm is employed to generate tailored CCF paths across the structural domain. This approach ensures consistency of the fiber path layout in the numerical topology optimization and the corresponding 3D-printed model. To validate performance, the 3D-printed composite structure using tailored CCF paths is compared with structures using fixed fiber paths orientations of 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60°, respectively. The numerical findings closely align with the experimental results for all study cases. Furthermore, the topology-optimized structure with tailored CCF paths exhibits superior performance.
This study unveils an innovative approach for fabricating high-performance Nickel-Tin-Cobalt sulfide (NTCS) on Ni foam (NF) substrates as a ternary sulfide, shifting the boundaries of supercapacitors (SCs) technology towards economic efficiency. The successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique is used to prepare a range of NTCS thin films, as battery like electrode, and the optimized NTCS3@NF electrode displayed exceptional results, overtaking all previously reported ternary sulfides. The NTCS3@NF electrode achieved an impressive specific capacity (Cs) of 1708 C/g at 5 A/g, with 100% capacity retention and coulombic efficiency after 20,000 cycles. The superior performance of the introduced electrodes is attributed to the effective direct growth of thin film over an excellent conductive substrate and avoiding creating dead surface area by using polymer binders. The inherent connection between the prepared thin film and substrate decreases the overall resistance and facilitates electron transfer across the interface. Also, the thin film porosity helps in effective ion diffusion between the electrode/electrolyte interface. Moreover, the NTCS3@NF//Activated Carbon (AC)@NF hybrid supercapacitor device (HSC) delivered an outstanding energy density (ED) of 20 Wh/kg and a power density (PD) of 12,909 W/kg at 10 A/g, retaining 76% capacity and 81.2% coulombic efficiency even after 100,000 cycles, surpassing the performance of leading HSCs. These findings position NTCS as a potential material for next-generation supercapacitors and economical energy storage applications.
这项研究揭示了一种创新的方法，可以在Ni泡沫（NF）衬底上制造高性能的镍锡钴硫化物（NTCS）作为三元硫化物，将超级电容器（SCs）技术的界限转向经济效率。采用连续离子层吸附和反应（SILAR）技术制备了一系列NTCS薄膜，作为电池样电极，优化后的NTCS3@NF电极显示出优异的效果，超过了之前报道的所有三元硫化物。NTCS3@NF电极在5 A/g下获得了令人印象深刻的1708 C/g比容量（Cs），在20,000次循环后保持100%的容量和库仑效率。引入的电极的优越性能归因于薄膜在优良导电衬底上的有效直接生长，并通过使用聚合物粘合剂避免产生死表面积。所制备的薄膜和衬底之间的固有连接降低了总电阻并促进了电子在界面上的转移。此外，薄膜孔隙有助于在电极/电解质界面之间有效的离子扩散。此外，NTCS3@NF//活性炭（AC）@NF混合超级电容器装置（HSC）在10 a /g下具有20 Wh/kg的能量密度（ED）和12909 W/kg的功率密度（PD），即使在10万次循环后仍保持76%的容量和81.2%的库仑效率，超过了领先的HSC性能。这些发现使NTCS成为下一代超级电容器和经济储能应用的潜在材料。
Machine learning powered inverse design for strain fields of hierarchical architectures
Hierarchical architectures are complex structures composed of multiple materials arranged at a microstructural level to achieve specific macroscopic properties. Despite the advantages offered by hierarchical architectures which are offering broad design freedom, this extensive design space also poses significant challenges for inverse designing hierarchical architectures. This paper addresses the inverse design of strain fields for hierarchical architectures by integrating efficient forward prediction with precise inverse optimization. Forward prediction models are developed to accurately predict the physical properties and performance metrics of these materials, while inverse optimization algorithms determine the optimal material distribution to achieve desired outcomes. We propose a machine learning approach that utilizes a recurrent neural network (RNN)-based forward prediction model trained on finite element analysis data, achieving over 99% accuracy. An evolutionary algorithm-based inverse optimization model is then used to identify the optimal material configuration to reach the desired strain fields. The results, validated through simulation and experimental testing, demonstrate the potential of machine learning to accelerate the design and optimization of strain fields in hierarchical architectures, paving the way for advanced material applications in the fields of aerospace engineering, biomedical devices, robotics, structural engineering, and energy storage systems.
Ultra-wear-resistant high-entropy nanocomposite through gradient nanograined glaze-layer at 1000°C
Yushan Geng, Jianbao Zhang, Hang Wang, Jiao Chen, Hao Gong, Dongsheng Yang, Jun Cheng, Yong Yang, Jun Yang, Weimin Liu
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112419
在1000℃下通过梯度纳米晶釉层制备超耐磨高熵纳米复合材料
The development of ultra-wear-resistant metallic materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures remains a critical challenge in advancing tribological systems for aerospace, energy, and manufacturing industries. Here, we introduce a Co25Ni23Cr20Fe20Ti6Al4B2 crystal-glass high-entropy nanocomposite, engineered with a high density of hierarchical nanoprecipitates. At 1000°C, this material demonstrates an unprecedented negative wear rate of -2.3 × 10-6 mm3/Nm, surpassing state-of-the-art superalloys and intermetallic composites, while maintaining a low coefficient of friction of 0.26, comparable to advanced ceramic lubricants. This exceptional performance stems from a gradient nanograined glaze layer that dissipates frictional strain and suppresses brittle cracking and spalling of metallic oxides in the tribo-layer. Our findings expand the design space for high-entropy alloys and establish a scalable framework for developing next-generation ultra-durable materials for extreme environments.
A Step Toward Digital Twin Accuracy in Composite Manufacturing: Pioneering Contour Method in Polymer Composites
Praveen K. R, Fabien Lefebvre, Foroogh Hosseinzadeh, John Bouchard, Damien Guillon
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112422
迈向复合材料制造中数字孪生精度的一步：聚合物复合材料的开创性轮廓法
Digital twinning is revolutionizing composite manufacturing by optimizing product design and enhancing structural integrity through total stress assessment. However, accurately validating residual stress in numerical simulations remains a significant challenge. The present research pioneers the application of the contour method to non-conductive polymer composite materials using diamond wire cutting, breaking away from its traditional use on conductive materials. It establishes a robust experimental framework for assessing and refining numerical simulations in digital twinning of composite structures. A simple epoxy-carbon fiber reinforced cross-ply laminate with unbalanced asymmetric layup is employed in this study. It is ensured the material is elastically deformed during cutting by comparing the operating temperature and the glass transition temperature determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The cut surfaces are thoroughly assessed using optical, confocal, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution surface topological scanning to validate the contour method assumptions. This includes characterization of the microstructure, material defects and cutting artefacts affecting the deformation topology of the cut surfaces. The paper sets a minimum resolvable length scale for residual stress, considering the size of constituents and surface roughness caused by diamond wire cutting. Finally, through thickness Residual stresses of cross ply laminate measured by the Contour Method is presented and validated against Pulse-method based slitting analysis.
