Vol. 2 No. 3 (2024): Polymer composite materials: mechanics and applications

Polymer composite materials can be found in almost all aspects of modern society, from electronic components to a broad range of accessories. These materials are made of two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties. They combine reinforcing fillers with a polymer matrix, resulting in improved or novel mechanical properties that cannot be achieved by either component alone. The wide range of polymer matrices and reinforcing materials allows for synthesizing various polymer composites with optimized properties.

Mechanical properties determine how materials behave when forces or loads are applied. A thorough understanding of these properties in polymer composites is crucial for their application and plays a major role in developing durable and high-quality products. Polymer composites are widely used in various fields, including the automotive industry, aircraft and aerospace, marine, sports equipment, 3D printing, construction industry, roof structures, door panels, furniture, electrical applications, and energy storage. Additionally, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites show great promise as biomaterials in medical applications, particularly in dentistry, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and the production of artificial body parts.

The current issue of Metallurgical and Material Data aims to present the latest research on polymer composite materials, their mechanical properties, and potential applications.

Guest Editors,
Dr. Sladjana Meseldzija
University of Belgrade, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia