今日更新：Composite Structures 2 篇，Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 4 篇，Composites Part B: Engineering 6 篇，Composites Science and Technology 1 篇
Composite Structures
Energy absorber inspired by spider webs
Koray Yavuz, Seymur Jahangirov, Recep M. Gorguluarslan
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119160
受蜘蛛网启发的能量吸收器
The spider orb web has evolved to efficiently absorb the energy of flying insects colliding with it. In this study, a novel three-dimensional lattice structure inspired by the specific structural characteristics of the spider orb web was designed and optimized to create a new lattice design. The design was optimized for energy absorption and energy absorption efficiency using a size optimization procedure with numerical modelling based on beam elements under quasi-static compression loading. This optimized lattice was additively manufactured and subjected to quasi-static compression testing. Numerical results for energy absorption and compression behaviour showed good agreement with experimental findings. Additionally, numerical analysis of the optimized lattice was performed using solid elements to predict the energy absorption behaviour more accurately, and the results showed even better agreement with experimental data. The resulting lattice also demonstrated improved energy absorption performance compared to existing lattice structures.
Fatigue response and fracture mechanisms of polymer matrix composites under dominance of the self-heating effect
Andrzej Katunin, Tomasz Rogala, Jafar Amraei, Dominik Wachla, Marcin Bilewicz, Łukasz Krzemiński, Paulo N.B. Reis
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119207
自热作用下聚合物基复合材料的疲劳响应及断裂机制
The self-heating effect in polymer matrix composites (PMCs) can be dangerous due to dominance of the fatigue process and its significant acceleration. Therefore, investigation of its influence on structural behavior and thermomechanical response is crucial for safe and reliable operation of PMCs. Due to lack of standardization of criteria of determination of fatigue properties, such as fatigue limit, during various modes of fatigue loading, the investigation of fatigue response attracts special attention. In some loading scenarios when the process is dominated either by mechanical fatigue degradation or self-heating effect, the classical approaches to determine fatigue limit may fail. This implies the need to establish new criteria for fatigue limit determination, also considering stress relaxation. In this study, the authors demonstrated that fatigue behavior is represented by bi-linear S-N curve, which reveals different thermomechanical responses and damage mechanisms under specific loading conditions. Moreover, it was demonstrated the existence of a transition point on the intersection of these S-N curves, where dominance of self-heating effect and mechanical degradation was clearly noticeable. The fatigue process for both mentioned regimes was characterized in terms of self-heating temperature evolution and acoustic emission, which was validated by microscopic analysis and X-ray computed tomography after fatigue failure.
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Balanced optimization of multiple mechanical properties of homogeneous architecture hyperelastic material
Le Chen, Songlin Yu, Changlin Li, Yu Liu, Chengzhen Geng, Fengmei Yu, Ai Lu
doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108932
均质结构超弹性材料多种力学性能的平衡优化
The fascinating mechanical properties of hyperelastic materials have been extensively studied. To meet the requirements of various application scenarios, researchers need to seek trade-offs and optimizations in different deformation modes, as these properties are often mutually restrictive. Machine learning with powerful nonlinear fitting ability, helps establish a balance between various mechanical properties, facilitates iterative optimization in the manufacturing process of hyperelastic materials. Here, we propose a design strategy that reconciles the conflicting multiple mechanical properties of porous hyperelastic materials by using customized machine learning. Specifically, we combine multitask machine learning with targeted modules and domain knowledge from porous elastomer, and established the connection between the macroscopic structural parameters and multiple mechanical properties of the entire response process of hyperelastic materials obtained from additive manufacturing. By leveraging the connection, the contradiction between stiffness and energy dissipation in hyperelastic materials can be mitigated solely through macroscopic stacked structural optimization. The strategy is also employed to optimize the printing performance of silicone ink, demonstrating satisfactory results. Therefore, this strategy is expected to provide an efficient paradigm for simultaneously reconciling and optimizing the complex practical requirements of hyperelastic materials.
An experimental investigation into the lightning strike response of Z-pinned composite laminates
Mudan Chen, Yu Zhou, Bing Zhang, Giuliano Allegri, Tomohiro Yokozeki, Stephen R. Hallett
doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108951
z -钉钉复合材料层合板雷击响应的实验研究
Despite their outstanding mechanical performance and lightweight characteristics, carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites also have some limitations, notably: poor delamination resistance and vulnerability to lightning strikes. Z-pinning through-thickness reinforcement (TTR) technology addresses the first of these and this research represents the first investigation on the lightning strike damage response of Z-pinned CFRP composites. Two types of specimens were tested: unpinned and 0.1% carbon-fibre Z-pinned. Experimental results reveal that while Z-pinning enhances through-thickness electrical conductivity, it introduces new complexities. During lightning events, the intense current surge causes the carbon-fibre pins and adjacent resin pockets to decompose, resulting in localised damage, larger delamination areas, and reduced residual strength compared to unpinned laminates. Carbon-fibre Z-pinned laminates, however, dissipate heat more rapidly due to the efficient heat transfer facilitated by the pins. This study offers a novel perspective on the potential advantages and challenges associated with the application of Z-pinning in aircraft structures.
Titanium dioxide whiskers functionalized with organic–inorganic hybrid silica coatings for multifaceted enhancement of high-performance polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites
Yankun Gong, Peng Liu, Juan Chen, Yanfen Ding, Haijun Fan, Mingshu Yang
doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108952
二氧化钛晶须与有机-无机杂化二氧化硅涂层的功能化，在多方面增强高性能聚对苯二甲酸丁二酯纳米复合材料
Plastics with all-good stiffness, strength, and toughness properties can hardly been achieved through a whisker-filling method, even after the functionalization on whiskers. The titanium dioxide whiskers, with limited studies focusing on their effect to the tribology and antistatic properties of the composites, require more investigation on their reinforcing effects to the functional engineering plastics. In this work, rutile titanium dioxide whiskers coated by organic–inorganic hybrid silica (CRTs) were prepared through a co-hydrolysis and co-condensation method. CRT and uncoated whiskers (RT) were melt-blended with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) to prepare nanocomposites, with various properties studied. The tensile/flexural strength and modulus, impact strength, dielectric constant, heat deformation temperature and thermal conductivity of PBT nanocomposites filled with 50% RT improved by 59%/45%, 376%/375%, 19%, 108%, 170%, 114%, respectively. More interestingly, these properties improved further with 50 wt% CRT added, accurately by 71%/67%, 342%/416%, 22%, 104%, 174%, 137%. The reinforcing mechanisms by RT and CRT were investigated. The neat PBT showed a brittle fracture behavior, while the RT(CRT)/PBT composites exhibited ductile fracture with polymer fibrils, whisker pulling out and whisker breaking. CRT enhanced the mechanical properties, and meanwhile reduced the dielectric loss and apparent viscosity for PBT, which was due to the improved interfacial compatibility deriving from the functional coating.
The escalating power density and operating frequencies of modern electronic communication devices have intensified the challenges associated with overheating and electromagnetic interference. While the development of dual-functional polymer composites integrating both thermal conductivity (TC) and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing capabilities has partially mitigated these issues, their performance still fails to meet contemporary application requirements. This study presents an innovative Ti3C2Tx MXene/detonation microdiamond (DMD)/ detonation nanodiamond (DND)/ polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite system, achieving the strategic incorporation of high-thermal-conductivity diamond particles (DMD/DND) and multifunctional MXene materials within a PDMS matrix. The optimized composite containing 40 wt% MXene/DMD and 26 wt% MXene/DND demonstrated exceptional performance characteristics: a TC of 1.71 W/m∙K coupled with outstanding EMW absorption capability, achieving a minimal reflection loss of −43.21 dB at just 2.5 mm thickness. These performance enhancements stemmed from the formation of the vertically aligned 3D thermally conductive networks by the MXene/DMD components, and the secondary reinforcement effect provided by the MXene/DND composite. The remarkable versatility indicates that MXene/DMD/DND/PDMS composites are promising candidates for electronic packaging.
Accelerating mechanism of cement hydration by hydroxyl free radicals: new perspectives from photoexcited nano-TiO2
Jihong Jiang, Han Wang, Junlin Lin, Zhiyong Liu, Laibo Li, Yali Li, Zongjin Li, Lingchao Lu, Yunjian Li, Zeyu Lu
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112524
羟基自由基加速水泥水化机理：光激发纳米tio2的新视角
Previous studies primarily considered TiO2 as a nano-filler to accelerate cement hydration due to the nucleation site effect. However, hydroxyl free radicals (•OH), released from TiO2 under UV irradiation, also exhibit great potential to accelerate cement hydration owing to their high nucleophilicity arising from unpaired electrons. This study is the first to reveal the accelerating mechanism of •OH generated by photoexcited nano-TiO2 on cement hydration. Current experimental results indicated that 5.0 wt% addition of photoexcited nano-TiO2 (under 6 h of UV irradiation during the early curing stage) improved the dissolution rate of tricalcium silicate (C3S) by 30 %, followed by a 35 % increase in the hydration degree of cement paste. More importantly, the polymerization degree and high-density content of C–S–H gels were also improved by 26 % and 13 %, accompanied by a 46 % reduction in porosity of the composites. All the aforementioned improvements were attributed to the presence of •OH generated by photoexcited nano-TiO2, which significantly accelerated cement hydration by accelerating C3S dissolution, facilitating faster nucleation and growth of C–S–H gels. In addition, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the accelerating effect of •OH on cement hydration may stem from the stronger interaction between •OH and the Ca ion on the C3S surface compared to the water molecule, and the increased surface nucleophilicity due to the dispersion of unpaired elections from •OH to all the O ions in the surface layer. These findings provide a high-efficiency approach to accelerate cement hydration by photoexcited nano-TiO2, thereby paving the way for the development of advanced and sustainable cement-based materials.
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are widely used in high-end manufacturing. However, the tradeoff between the strength and toughness of these materials poses a problem. In this study, inspired by nature, bionic Bouligand-structured SiC/2024Al composites with a pitch angle in the range of 15°–45° were designed using SolidWorks software and prepared via binder jetting additive manufacturing and pressure infiltration. Their SiC content was about 11.6 vol%, and their porosity ranged from 1.59 % to 2.80 %. A periodic structure was confirmed from microstructural observations and a micro-computed tomography examination. Furthermore, a pitch-angle-related mechanical property was observed in the composites. In particular, finite element analysis showed that the 45°-pitch-angle composite had lower stress concentration and higher load carrying capacity than the composites with other pitch angles. After solution and aging treatment, nano-scale θ′ and S′ phases precipitated in the matrix, resulting in Orowan strengthening behavior. Consequently, the heat-treated 45°-pitch-angle composite showed a higher compressive strength of 741.59 MPa, a compressive strain exceeding 30 % and a KIC value of 13.32 MPa m1/2. The results of this study are expected to contribute to development of methods to overcome the strength-toughness tradeoff problem in MMCs.
Influence of surface modification on the interfacial properties of ultra-thin steel foils and CFRP co-curing without adhesive film:A comparative study of different techniques
Lei Chen, Wei Zhu, Qi Zhang, Yanjie Zhang, Chenchen Zhao, Tao Wang, Qingxue Huang
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112517
表面改性对超薄钢箔与CFRP共固化界面性能的影响：不同工艺的对比研究
Ultra-thin stainless-steel foil, renowned for its high strength, corrosion resistance, and excellent formability, shows significant promise in fiber metal laminates. However, enhancing the interfacial adhesion between ultra-thin stainless-steel foil (less than 0.05 mm thick) and CFRP remains a technical challenge. Metal surface pretreatment is crucial for determining the bonding quality of steel/CFRP interfaces. In this study, cold spraying and laser scanning techniques were used to pretreat 30 μm thick ultra-thin stainless-steel foil. The effects of different treatment processes, both individually and in combination, on the physical and chemical states of foil surface were systematically characterized, and their impact on the interface bonding properties of steel/CFRP was analyzed. By progressively optimizing the metal surface modification process based on laser scanning treatment, significant improvements were achieved in active site density on the metal surface, resulting in a single lap shear strength of 30.07 MPa for co-cured steel/CFRP laminate without adhesive film. Compared to untreated samples, there was an impressive increase of 210.32 % in interfacial bond strength. This study presents a straightforward and environmentally friendly solution to enhance the interfacial performance between ultra-thin stainless-steel foil and CFRP laminates.
A novel vacuum-free method was developed for producing thermoplastic composite tubes using woven carbon fiber/LM-PAEK. The effects of consolidation pressure, temperature, time, heating, and cooling rates were investigated through a Taguchi L16 design. Tensile, compressive strength, and density results were analyzed to determine optimal parameters, supported by Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The optimized sample, verified through mechanical testing, DSC, radiographic, and SEM analysis, achieved 626.93 MPa tensile and 329.44 MPa compressive strength. The developed method allows the use of woven prepregs, enabling longitudinal fiber alignment that enhances tensile strength compared to angled fiber arrangements in filament winding. It requires only a hot press and mold, eliminating the need for high-temperature vacuum bags, airways, and sealing tapes. These advantages make the method a simple, economical, and effective alternative for fabricating aerospace-grade composite tubes.
The increasing concerns over environmental pollution and human health hazards caused by pesticides and pharmaceutical residues have driven significant research into the development of highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors. MXenes, a class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides along with MXene-based composites, have emerged as promising candidates for electrochemical sensing due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high electrical conductivity, large surface area, hydrophilicity, and tunable surface chemistry. Herein, we have comprehensively discussed the role of MXenes and their composites in the electrochemical detection of drugs and pesticides. Further, they can be classified based on their structural dimensions and explore their fundamental properties, including conductivity, electrochemical stability, mechanical integrity, and chemical reactivity, which govern their sensing performance. However, MXenes can be easily oxidized and undergo gradual structural degradation, which may impact performance over a long time. Therefore, the need for MXene-based composites is highlighted to address the limitations of pristine MXenes and enhance their selectivity, stability, and sensitivity for detecting trace-level analytes. The recent advancements in MXenes modified electrochemical sensors for detecting pesticides and drugs, critically analyzing their sensing mechanisms, detection limits, and response times.
Hole controlled displacement behaviour of conducting polymer actuators
Sukesh Kumar, Aimin Yu, Mudrika Khandelwal
doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112525
导电聚合物致动器的孔控位移行为
The role of holes in the displacement behaviour of conducting polymer actuators is not emphasized much, hindering the design of actuators with a better response. Generally, it is assumed that the motion of ions limits the displacement of a conducting polymer because of their higher atomic mass compared to the effective mass of a hole or electron. Here, we report that the hole density of state (DOS) of a conducting polymer actuator could be another limiting factor for its displacement behaviour. Electrochemical techniques are used to estimate the DOS of a state-of-the-art conducting polymer, PEDOT:PSS. To capture the subsequent effect of changing the hole doping level and the kinetics of hole-ion transport, the electrochemical impedance of the PEDOT:PSS layer is measured while it is held at various constant voltages. To illustrate the effect of hole dynamics on the displacement of a conducting polymer actuator, the displacement of a PEDOT:PSS/bacterial cellulose actuator is recorded at various voltages and for different periods. The depletion and accumulation mode of operation is explained. The transients in the displacement of the actuator to the steady state are identified and explained, incorporating the electrochemical findings. The rate and magnitude of the displacement are found to be dependent on the hole doping level in a conducting polymer. The displacement of the actuator can be divided into three time scales; initial space charge (driven by drift current), filling up of high energy states (drift and diffusion), diffusion of ions (reflective or transmissive)
Multi-response controllable microstructured superhydrophobic surfaces for full-process dynamic anti-icing and de-icing
Yubo Wang, Yiqing Xue, Yinfeng Wang, Bo Yuan, Yi Zheng, Wenyan Liang, Yongyang Sun, Xin Sui
doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2025.111183
多响应可控微结构超疏水表面全程动态防冰除冰
A series of microstructured superhydrophobic surfaces prepared by biomimicry exhibit unique advantages in the field of anti-icing/de-icing. However, the synergistic effect between microstructural morphology modulation and functional composites, as well as the mechanism of influence on anti-icing/de-icing in different low-temperature environments remain to be explored. Here, leveraging the shape memory effect and electrothermal/photothermal response characteristics of composite materials, a synergistic anti-icing/de-icing system integrating passive anti-icing mechanisms with active de-icing strategies has been systematically investigated. The dynamic impact behaviours of droplets at different temperatures and microstructural morphology were investigated. Elucidating the mechanisms regulating electrothermal/photothermal response and microstructural morphology. Modulation of droplet impact behavior to avoid ice formation, reduction of surface heat transfer efficiency to delay the icing process, and decrease of ice adhesion to achieve removal of surface-coated ice. Combining the electrothermal/photothermal responsiveness of the substrate functional materials and the reversible conversion properties of the surface microstructure, it provides a new idea for the research of full-process, intelligent-response anti-icing/de-icing.
