Sathish Rao Udupi, Gururaj Bolar, Manjunath Shettar^*, Ashwini Bhat

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.87, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2026.078574 - 09 April 2026

Abstract Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites (GFRPCs) are extensively utilized in the aerospace, automotive, and structural sectors; nevertheless, their heterogeneous and abrasive characteristics result in rapid tool wear during drilling. Drill flank wear among various wear mechanisms notably influences hole quality and dimensional accuracy. This research investigates the impact of spindle speed, feed rate, and drill diameter on flank wear during dry drilling of GFRPC laminates with high-speed steel (HSS) twist drills. A full-factorial design with 81 experiments is used to create a comprehensive dataset. ANOVA indicates that spindle speed is the dominant factor affecting wear changes,… More >

Xue Wang^1,2, Cen Yang¹, Yonghang Wang¹, Mingming Wang^1,3, Ying Chen⁴, Ping Li^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.87, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2026.077868 - 09 April 2026

Abstract Tungsten-copper laminated composites are promising materials for high heat-flux applications, but their performance is often limited by interfacial instability caused by the thermal-mechanical mismatch between tungsten and copper. In this study, W/W-30Cu/CuCrZr three-layer composites are fabricated by high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing. Experimental characterization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to systematically investigate the influence of HPT process parameters and intermediate-layer composition on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties. HPT processing significantly refines the grains of the W-xCu composites and enhances their homogeneity. After applying 15 revolutions of HPT on W-30Cu composites, the crystallite… More >

Hye-Min Kwon, Sung-Jun Lee, Chang-Lae Kim^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.87, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2026.077155 - 09 April 2026

Abstract UV-curable acrylic polymers are promising for advanced coating applications; however, they suffer from low mechanical strength and wear resistance. This study investigated the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle incorporation (0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.%) on mechanical, surface, and tribological properties of UV-curable acrylic polymer nanocomposites. The elastic modulus increased from 9.41 MPa (bare polymer) to 22.39 MPa (5 wt.% ZnO), a 138% improvement. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a crystalline region at the polymer-ZnO interface, with crystallite sizes reaching 121.94 nm compared to 7.95 nm for the bare-polymer. Surface roughness More >

Ayesha Kausar^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.078233 - 03 April 2026

Abstract Purpose of this novel review article is to unfold the current scientific worth of high performance polymer nanocomposite nanofibers, owing to growing scientific interests in this field. Accordingly, this state-of-the-art manuscript has been systematically categorized into distinct sections related to (i) fundamentals of carbonaceous nanoreinforcements, (ii) design-structure-property-performance aspects of different categories of polymer nanocomposite nanofibers (conducting polymers, thermoplastics, and thermosets with carbonaceous nanofillers (carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerene), and then (iii) existing scientific worth (energy devices, electronics, space/defense, environmental sectors), future prospects, challenges, and conclusions. As per literature to date, polymer/carbonaceous nanocomposite nanofibers had myriad of advantageous physical… More > Graphic Abstract

Lin Jia, Qiang He^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.077807 - 03 April 2026

Abstract Aerogels, renowned as ultra-lightweight solids with exceptional porosity and specific surface area, have emerged as pivotal materials for thermal insulation, catalysis, energy storage, and biomedicine. This review comprehensively evaluates the recent strides in sustainable, high-performance cellulose-based aerogels, emphasizing their fabrication, functionalization, and application prospects. It details the extraction of cellulose from diverse sources and its subsequent processing into nanocellulose (e.g., cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals), which serves as the fundamental building block for aerogel synthesis. The critical sol-gel transition, solvent selection, and the pivotal role of drying techniques—freeze-drying, supercritical drying, and ambient pressure drying—in determining final… More >

Chin-Wen Liao^1,2,3, En-Shiuh Lin¹, Wei-Lun Huang^4,5,6, I-Chi Wang⁷, Bo-Siang Chen^8,*, Wei-Sho Ho^1,2,9,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.076807 - 03 April 2026

Abstract The demand for extended electric vehicle (EV) range necessitates advanced lightweighting strategies. This study introduces a materials genome approach, augmented by machine learning (ML), for optimizing lightweight composite designs for EVs. A comprehensive materials genome database was developed, encompassing composites based on carbon, glass, and natural fibers. This database systematically records critical parameters such as mechanical properties, density, cost, and environmental impact. Machine learning models, including Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, and Artificial Neural Networks, were employed to construct a predictive system for material performance. Subsequent material composition optimization was performed using a multi-objective genetic More >

Declan Mary Colbert^1,*, Eyman Manaf¹, Zeeshan Ali¹, Steven Rowe², Chris Doran², Trevor Howard², Vlasta Chyzna³, Evan Moore³, Alan J. Murphy³, Patrick Doran⁴, Golnoosh Abdeali¹, Declan M. Devine¹

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.076318 - 03 April 2026

Abstract A comparative analysis was performed on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), basalt fiber (BF) composites produced using two distinct approaches: direct blending and masterbatching. The limitations of PLA-BF composites with regard to distribution and adhesion are well-documented, as are chemical treatment methods (addition of compatibilisers, surface treatments, silanization). This work aimed to study an industrially relevant potential solution of utilising a PCL-BF masterbatch, prepared as a 50/50 wt.% blend using planetary roller extrusion (PEX) to both improve the distribution and homogeneity of the fibers as well as provide a secondary adhesion site to facilitate improved… More >

Mingyan He^1,2, Jiayu Fu^1,2, Fangyu Guo^1,2, Dawei Jiang^1,2,*, Ting Yang^1,2, Miaojun Xu^1,2,*, Zijian Wu³, Bin Li^1,2,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.075379 - 03 April 2026

Abstract Phenolic resins are widely used in thermal protection, yet achieving simultaneous improvement in thermal stability and mechanical strength remains challenging. In this work, a vinyl-modified silicone resin (VMTQ) was synthesized and incorporated into a boron phenolic resin (BPF) matrix. Three composite ceramic fillers, Al₂O₃–SiO₂–ZrO₂ (ASZ), Al₂O₃–SiO₂–TiO₂ (AST), and Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO (ASM), were further introduced to construct a multi-oxide synergistic reinforcement system. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the maximum decomposition rate decreases by 0.2–0.3%·min⁻¹, while the ASM/V3/BPF-3 composite exhibits a 74.53% increase in char yield at 800°C and a 163.3°C increase in initial decomposition temperature, confirming its significantly enhanced thermal More >

Janvi Sharma^1,*, Mukund N. Bapat²

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.072228 - 03 April 2026

Abstract A new, cost-effective porous polymer composite was developed by reinforcing polypropylene (PP) with cenosphere particles. This study investigates how the composite’s dielectric properties are affected by their porosity. Dielectric constant (ε^′) measurements were taken over a range of frequencies at room temperature. A theoretical model was developed to explain the electrical conductivity of the porous PP/cenosphere composites. The study thoroughly examined how the inclusion of cenosphere particles influenced key electrical parameters, including dielectric constant, dissipation factor (tanδ), DC (direct current) conductivity, and AC (alternating current) conductivity. The results revealed that increasing the cenosphere content caused a… More >

Wei Kang^1,*, Juan Jin²

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.077859 - 03 April 2026

Abstract A sulfate–chloride electrolyte was used to deposit alloy layers on AISI 1018 coupons while co-introducing ZnS nanoparticles (5–20 g/L) to tune microstructure and durability under combined saline exposure and dry sliding. Cross-sectional SEM confirmed continuous deposits of ~24–26 μm, and XRD indicated γ-phase dominance with pronounced grain refinement: crystallite size decreased from 42 ± 3 nm (particle-free) to 28 ± 2 nm at 15 g/L. In 3.5 wt% NaCl, polarization data showed a progressive ennoblement of E_corr from −1.032 to −0.981 V (vs. SCE) together with a reduction of i_corr from 8.47 to 1.82 μA/cm² at 15… More >