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Polymers
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Epoxy Polymers and Composites
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Epoxy Polymers and Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 8200

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhengguang Heng

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: advanced resin and composites; polymatic ablation-resistant materials; radiation protection materials
Dr. Yang Chen

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Guest Editor
The State Key Lab of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: high-performance resin design; resin-based ablation-resistant materials; structural-wave-absorbing integrated materials
Prof. Dr. Huawei Zou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: polymatic heat protection materials; advanced resin-based composites; high-performance functional forms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Epoxy resin plays a significant role in modern industry. Epoxy products in various forms such as coatings, adhesives, advanced composites matrixes are extensively employed in the fields of aerospace, electronic information, rail transit, and construction.

Currently, the development of epoxy polymers and composites is advancing towards high performance, multifunctionality, and environmental sustainability. However, some challenges remain. For instance, traditional epoxy resins possess a relatively low toughness; researchers lack a systematic and in-depth understanding of cross-linked networks, their performance and the low-cost preparation of resins and their composites; and the performance of new eco-friendly epoxy resins is inferior to that of traditional resins.

Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to describe and analyze the development of novel materials, technologies and innovations in the field of epoxy polymers and composites. The scope of the Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • New epoxy resins;
  • Epoxy-based polymers for high performance;
  • Functional epoxies;
  • Green, recycle and self-healing epoxies;
  • Interface modification of epoxy composites;
  • Epoxy composites processing;
  • New analysis and testing methods;
  • Epoxy and its composites simulation, containing DFT, MS, FEA, etc.

Dr. Zhengguang Heng
Dr. Yang Chen
Prof. Dr. Huawei Zou
Guest Editors

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. Polymers 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 2700 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

  • new epoxy resins design
  • relationship between crosslink structure and properties
  • computational simulation
  • epoxy resins and composite processing
  • new analysis and characterization methods

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3980 KiB  
Article
Modulated Mechanical Properties of Epoxy-Based Hybrid Composites via Layer-by-Layer Assembly: An Experimental and Numerical Study
by Hee-Chang Jeon and Young-Seong Kim
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3559; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243559 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 466
Abstract
In this study, epoxy-based composites were fabricated using a layer-by-layer assembly technique, and their mechanical properties were systematically evaluated. The inclusion of cellulose nanocrystals led to variations in the mechanical properties of the composites. These modified properties were assessed through tensile and flexural [...] Read more.
In this study, epoxy-based composites were fabricated using a layer-by-layer assembly technique, and their mechanical properties were systematically evaluated. The inclusion of cellulose nanocrystals led to variations in the mechanical properties of the composites. These modified properties were assessed through tensile and flexural tests, with each layer cast to enhance strength. Due to the inherent characteristics of epoxy, a single specimen was fabricated through chemical bonding, even post-curing. This approach demonstrated that a three-layer structure, developed using the layer-by-layer method, exhibited improved elastic and flexural moduli compared to a single-layer composite. This improvement aligns with theoretical predictions, which suggest that stiffness increases when stiffer materials are positioned farther from the neutral axis in a layered structure. Furthermore, numerical analysis validated changes in stress distribution across each layer. Consequently, this method enables the production of composites with superior mechanical properties while minimizing the quantity of cellulose nanocrystals required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epoxy Polymers and Composites)
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40 pages, 18711 KiB  
Article
Testing, Experimental Design, and Numerical Analysis of Nanomechanical Properties in Epoxy Hybrid Systems Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoparticles
by Giovanni Spinelli, Rosella Guarini, Todor Batakliev, Liberata Guadagno and Marialuigia Raimondo
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3420; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233420 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 929
Abstract
Hybrid nanocomposites incorporating multiple fillers are gaining significant attention due to their ability to enhance material performance, offering superior properties compared to traditional monophase systems. This study investigates hybrid epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs), introduced at [...] Read more.
Hybrid nanocomposites incorporating multiple fillers are gaining significant attention due to their ability to enhance material performance, offering superior properties compared to traditional monophase systems. This study investigates hybrid epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs), introduced at two different weight concentrations of the mixed filler, i.e., 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% which are, respectively, below and above the Electrical Percolation Threshold (EPT) for the two binary polymer composites that solely include one of the two nanofillers, with varying MWCNTs:GNs ratios. Mechanical properties, such as contact depth, hardness, and reduced modulus, were experimentally assessed via nanoindentation, while morphological analysis supported the mechanical results. A Design of Experiments (DoE) approach was utilized to evaluate the influence of filler concentrations on the composite’s mechanical performance, and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to derive a mathematical model correlating the filler ratios with key mechanical properties. The best and worst-performing formulations, based on hardness and contact depth results, were further investigated through detailed numerical simulations using a multiphysics software. After validation considering experimental data, the simulations provided additional insights into the mechanical behavior of the hybrid composites. This work aims to contribute to the knowledge base on hybrid composites and promote the use of computational modeling techniques for optimizing the design and mechanical performance of advanced materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epoxy Polymers and Composites)
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20 pages, 26664 KiB  
Article
Computational Analysis of the Micromechanical Stress Field in Undamaged and Damaged Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Plastics Using a Modified Principal Component Analysis
by Nicolas Rozo Lopez, Hakan Çelik and Christian Hopmann
Polymers 2024, 16(21), 3000; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16213000 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 3642
Abstract
This study investigated the internal stress distribution of unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastics (UD-FRP) at the micro level using principal component analysis (PCA). The composite material was simulated using a representative volume element model together with the embedded cell approach. Two fundamental quasi-static load cases, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the internal stress distribution of unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastics (UD-FRP) at the micro level using principal component analysis (PCA). The composite material was simulated using a representative volume element model together with the embedded cell approach. Two fundamental quasi-static load cases, transverse and longitudinal tensile deformation, were considered. The experimental results show that mechanical failure occurred at 2.15 ± 0.06% transverse tensile strain and at 1.52 ± 0.07% longitudinal tensile strain. Furthermore, the undamaged state and a combination of matrix and interface damage, as well as fiber breakage, were simulated. From the simulations, the octahedral shear stress and octahedral normal stress were computed at the integration points of the matrix elements, constituting what is known as the octahedral stress field. A modification on the PCA to obtain mesh-independent eigenvalues is presented and was used to investigate the effects of damage events on the octahedral stress field. The results indicate that each damage mechanism had a distinct signature in the redistribution of the stress field, characterized by specific changes in the eigenvalues and orientation of the principal component (θ1). Furthermore, the PCA suggests that the accumulation of matrix damage began to be relevant at the 1% strain, while fiber breakage began at an average longitudinal strain of 0.98 ± 0.12%. Additionally, it is shown that the first principal component served as an indicator of the predominant stress state of the stress field. This investigation suggests that the PCA can provide valuable insights regarding the complex damage mechanisms of UD-FRP that may not be captured by conventional mechanical analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epoxy Polymers and Composites)
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31 pages, 30206 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of High-Performance Asphalt Mixture Using Waterborne Epoxy-Acrylate Resin Modified Emulsified Asphalt (WEREA)
by Dongwei Chen, Hao Wu, Xiaobao Chen, Yiqun Zhan and Surajo Abubakar Wada
Polymers 2024, 16(19), 2743; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16192743 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 980
Abstract
Existing research shows that using waterborne epoxy resin (WER) instead of emulsified asphalt as the binder for cold mix asphalt (CMA) can enhance the rutting resistance, high-temperature performance, fracture performance, and early performance of CMA. In order to eliminate the potential drawbacks such [...] Read more.
Existing research shows that using waterborne epoxy resin (WER) instead of emulsified asphalt as the binder for cold mix asphalt (CMA) can enhance the rutting resistance, high-temperature performance, fracture performance, and early performance of CMA. In order to eliminate the potential drawbacks such as insufficient strength and low-temperature performance of CMA during application, a novel method was proposed in this study for the preparation of waterborne epoxy-acrylate resin (WER), specifically tailored to modify emulsified asphalt, resulting in waterborne epoxy-acrylate resin emulsified asphalt (WEREA). The modification effect of WER on emulsified asphalt was evaluated through rheological tests and direct tensile tests. A modified design method based on the conventional Marshall design method was proposed to determine the optimal mix proportions, including the key parameters of specimen compaction and curing. The results revealed that the incorporation of WER led to a substantial improvement in the complex shear modulus and a concurrent decrease in the phase angle. When the temperature exceeded 60 °C, the phase angle exhibited a diminishing trend, indicative of a reduced viscosity as temperatures escalated. As the WER content increased, a decrease in the direct tensile strain rate was observed, accompanied by a substantial elevation in direct tensile strength. At various stress levels, the shear strain of WEREA decreases with increased content of WER, indicating that the incorporation of WER can enhance the hardness of emulsified asphalt and improve its deformation resistance. The results from MSCR tests indicate that WER could significantly improve the elasticity and hardness of emulsified asphalt, transitioning it from a viscoelastic material to an elastic material, thereby improving its deformation resistance, resistance to rutting, and high-temperature performance. The results of fatigue life are consistent with those of the amplitude sweep, both reflecting the improvement of resistance to deformation of emulsified asphalt by WER. This indicates that WER has a significant improving effect on the fatigue resistance of emulsified asphalt. Furthermore, the Marshall design tests further confirmed the advantages of WEREA in asphalt mixtures. The optimal preparation for the WEREA mixture was proposed as follows: double-sided compaction for 50 times each, aging at 60 °C for 48 h, optimal moisture content of 5.14%, cement content of 2.5%, and emulsion content of 8.4%. The optimal mix proportions identified through these tests yielded asphalt mixtures with significantly improved stability, reduced flow value, and enhanced rutting resistance compared to the hot-mix asphalt mixture (HMA) of AC-16. These findings suggest that WEREA has the potential to significantly enhance the durability and longevity of asphalt pavements. For future applications, it can be explored for use in producing cold recycled asphalt mixtures. In addition to designing the WEREA mixture according to AC-16 gradation, consideration can also be given to using a gradation with a smaller nominal maximum aggregate size for the application in the surface layer or ultra-thin wearing course. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epoxy Polymers and Composites)
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19 pages, 6946 KiB  
Article
Fatigue Behaviour of High-Performance Green Epoxy Biocomposite Laminates Reinforced by Optimized Long Sisal Fibers
by B. Zuccarello, C. Militello and F. Bongiorno
Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2630; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182630 - 18 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1315
Abstract
In recent decades, in order to replace traditional synthetic polymer composites, engineering research has focused on the development of new alternatives such as green biocomposites constituted by an eco-sustainable matrix reinforced by natural fibers. Such innovative biocomposites are divided into two different typologies: [...] Read more.
In recent decades, in order to replace traditional synthetic polymer composites, engineering research has focused on the development of new alternatives such as green biocomposites constituted by an eco-sustainable matrix reinforced by natural fibers. Such innovative biocomposites are divided into two different typologies: random short fiber biocomposites characterized by low mechanical strength, used for non-structural applications such as covering panels, etc., and high-performance biocomposites reinforced by long fibers that can be used for semi-structural and structural applications by replacing traditional materials such as metal (carbon steel and aluminum) or synthetic composites such as fiberglass. The present research work focuses on the high-performance biocomposites reinforced by optimized sisal fibers. In detail, in order to contribute to the extension of their application under fatigue loading, a systematic experimental fatigue test campaign has been accomplished by considering four different lay-up configurations (unidirectional, cross-ply, angle-ply and quasi-isotropic) with volume fraction Vf = 70%. The results analysis found that such laminates exhibit good fatigue performance, with fatigue ratios close to 0.5 for unidirectional and angle-ply (±7.5°) laminates. However, by passing from isotropic to unidirectional lay-up, the fatigue strength increases significantly by about four times; higher increases are revealed in terms of fatigue life. In terms of damage, it has been observed that, thanks to the high quality of the proposed laminates, in any case, the fatigue failure involves the fiber failure, although secondary debonding and delamination can occur, especially in orthotropic and cross-ply lay-up. The comparison with classical synthetic composites and other similar biocomposite has shown that in terms of fatigue ratio, the examined biocomposites exhibit performance comparable with the biocomposites reinforced by the more expensive flax and with common fiberglass. Finally, appropriate models, that can be advantageously used at the design stage, have also been proposed to predict the fatigue behavior of the laminates analyzed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epoxy Polymers and Composites)
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