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54 articles for “microstructural engineering”
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Thermal and Morphological Characterization of Rice Starch–Charcoal Composites for Eco-Friendly Engineering Applications
Abstract: This work focuses on the development and evaluation of rice starch–charcoal–based composite materials to overcome the limitations of natural composites with low thermal properties. In order to examine the impact of filler concentration on thermal and structural performance, eight composite specimens were created by altering the ratios of rice starch and charcoal. TGA, DTA, AFM, SEM, and measurements of thermal conductivity and effusivity were used to thoroughly characterize the composites. …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 1286–1297 Read article
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Experimental Assessment and Statistical Argument of Al-Si/CSA/MoS2 Hybrid Composites for Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics
Abstract: To augment the mechanical and tribological properties of Al-Si matrix composites complement with molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) and coconut shell ash (CSA), a mixed experimental and Face-Centered Composite (FCC)strategy was employed. A liquid metallurgical method called stir casting was used to create hybrid composites with 5–15 wt.% CSA and 1–3 wt.% MoS₂. A FCC experimental design with thirty runs was used to thoroughly evaluate the materials. This design allowed for the …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 792–802 Read article
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Wear and Tribological Characteristics of Novel Metal Matrix Composites
Abstract: The development of advanced metal matrix composites (MMCs) with enhanced tribological performance has become increasingly important due to the premature failure of critical engineering components operating under severe wear conditions in automotive, aerospace, marine, defense, and power generation systems. Conventional composites such as Copper–Alumina and Aluminium–Silicon Carbide have demonstrated improved mechanical and wear characteristics; however, their widespread application is often limited by issues including particle agglomeration, non-uniform reinforcement distribution, porosity …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 1326–1346 Read article
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Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites using Ferromagnetic and Graphite Fillers
Abstract: The past few years have seen a lot of interest in the creation of hybrid natural fiber composites because of their lightweight properties, environmental friendliness and their potential use in structures. The hybrid composite laminates in the current study were produced by the hand lay-up process by blending the natural fibers with the functional filler materials. Three types of composite structures were created and these are Natural Composite Material (NCM), …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 · pp. 498–511 Read article
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IoT-Enabled Polymer–Gel PCM Composites for Intelligent Thermal Management in Solar Facade Applications
Abstract: The present study investigates the development of a multifunctional polymer–gel phase change composite designed for solar façade applications with integrated real-time thermal monitoring capability. A crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol–borax matrix was employed as a three-dimensional polymer scaffold to encapsulate paraffin-based phase change material, ensuring leakage-free operation and structural integrity under repeated thermal cycling. Graphite nanoplatelets were incorporated as thermally conductive nano-fillers to enhance heat transfer through the polymer composite via percolation-driven …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 · pp. 99–111 Read article
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Machine Learning Based Optimization of Polymer Structure Property Relationships in Composite Material Systems
Abstract: In modern engineering applications, polymer-based composite materials have garnered a lot of attention because of their lightweight nature, high strength-to-weight ratio, and changing physical features. In order to maximize the relationships between polymer structure and properties in composite materials, this study suggests a strategy based on reinforcement learning (RL). The research utilized the Polymer Composite Properties Dataset, which contains 12,700 records associated with polymer matrices, reinforcement fillers, interfacial bonding characteristics, …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 · pp. 242–255 Read article
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Deep Cryogenic Treatment of Copper Chill Plates in Stir Casting of Al6061-Silicon Carbide Composites
Abstract: Aluminum-Silicon Carbide Metal Matrix Composites (Al/SiC MMCs) represent advanced materials created through the integration of aluminum matrices with silicon carbide particle reinforcement. These composites demonstrate superior characteristics compared to conventional aluminum alloys, establishing their relevance across diverse engineering applications. This experimental investigation focuses on developing composites using aluminum as the base matrix while incorporating SiC particles (40-50μm particle size) as reinforcing agents. The reinforcement content was systematically varied from 3 …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 13, Issue 6, 2025 · pp. 116–126 Read article
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Enhancement of Mechanical Properties in Eutectic Al-Si Alloy Matrix Composites Reinforced with Kyanite and Graphite via Stir Casting
Abstract: The purpose of this work is to enhance the mechanical performance of a eutectic Al–Si alloy by incorporating hard ceramic (kyanite) and soft solid lubricant (graphite) reinforcements using a liquid-state stir casting route. Metal matrix composites were fabricated with kyanite contents of 2, 4, and 6 wt.% and a constant 2.5 wt.% graphite. Their microstructures and mechanical properties were systematically evaluated. The microstructure was examined using optical microscopy and energy …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 90–100 Read article
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Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Brachyuran Shell Particle-Infused S-Glass Fibre Epoxy Polymer Composites
Abstract: Epoxy composites bio-filled with brachyuran crab shell powder and reinforced with S-glass fibres at different loadings (2%, 4%, and 6%) are tested for their mechanical properties in this work. Using modest amounts of filler significantly improved hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and flexural strength in the empirical data. The largest increase in hardness was 64.42% at 4% filler, up from 26.22% at 2%; however, there was a dramatic decrease to 13.11% …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 500–507 Read article
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Hybrid Polymer Composites Reinforced with Coconut Shell Fillers and Silica Fume: Synergistic Effects of Industrial By-Products : A Comprehensive Review
Abstract: The increasing requirement of sustainable and high-performance engineering materials has led to increased research in hybrid polymer composites comprising sustainable fillers in the form of renewable biomass or industrial by-products. Among the various bio-fillers that exist, coconut shell filler is gaining much prominence due to its low density, high content of lignin, hardness, and abundance as agricultural waste. Another industrial by-product that is rich in amorphous silica and possesses high …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 Read article
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Experimental Evaluations of the Tensile and Impact Characteristics of Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Hybrid Fibers
Abstract: In marine engineering design, polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers are frequently used. Through hybridization, natural fiber plastic composites' mechanical properties can be improved. Assessing the performance of recycled newspaper fiber (rNF) and rNF/glass fiber (GF) hybrid polypropylene composites is the aim of the current experiment. Using maleic anhydride (MA) as a coupling agent, the effects of GF loading on the impact strength and tensile behavior of composite materials with …
Published in Emerging Trends in Chemical Engineering · Vol. 12, Issue 1, 2025 · pp. 30–39 Read article
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Effects of Sub-Zero Temperatures on the Viscoelastic Properties of Magnetorheological Elastomer
Abstract: Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are smart materials capable of tuneable stiffness and damping under applied magnetic fields. This renders the material as a promising candidate for adaptive vibration control and semi-active engineering applications. While their behaviour at elevated temperatures has been widely explored, limited attention has been given to their performance under sub-zero conditions, which are critical for cold-environment applications. As this has become an important concern, the study investigates the …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 4, 2026 Read article
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A Comprehensive Analysis of Coating Technology and Thin Films
Abstract: In contemporary materials science, thin film and coating technologies are essential because they allow for the improvement of surface characteristics, including electrical conductivity, hardness, corrosion resistance, and optical performance. These technologies use physical, chemical, or hybrid deposition techniques to deposit materials in layers that range in thickness from a few nanometres to several micrometres, depending on the required functional properties and application areas. The content, thickness, and microstructure of films …
Published in Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application · Vol. 12, Issue 3, 2025 · pp. 50–64 Read article
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Phase – Field Modeling of Brittle and Ductile Fracture Under Complex Loading Conditions
Abstract: Phase-field modeling has emerged as a powerful computational framework for predicting fracture behavior in engineering materials, offering a unified description of crack initiation, propagation, branching, and coalescence without the need for explicit crack tracking. This study presents an in-depth examination of phase-field modeling applied to both brittle and ductile fracture under complex loading conditions, including multiaxial stress states, cyclic loading, thermal gradients, and dynamic impact. The phase-field approach regularizes the …
Published in International Journal of Fracture Mechanics and Damage Science · Vol. 3, Issue 2, 2025 · pp. 13–18 Read article