Aims & Scope

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing publishes original research papers, review articles, case studies, short communications and letters from a wide variety of sources dealing with all aspects of the science and technology of composite materials, including fibrous and particulate reinforcements in polymeric, metallic and ceramic matrices, and 'natural' composites.

The range of applicable topics includes the properties, design and manufacture of reinforcing fibres and particles, novel architectures and concepts, multifunctional composites, advances in fabrication and processing of composite materials and structures, manufacturing science, process modelling, experimental mechanics, microstructural characterization of composites and their constituent phases, interfaces in composites, new approaches to prediction and measurement of mechanical, physical and chemical behaviour, and performance of composites in service.

Articles are also welcomed on sustainable and economic aspects of composites. All articles are subject to rigorous peer review to ensure they make an important and novel contribution, and a high standard is set for both content and presentation. The Editors aim to conduct the review procedure with the minimum of delay so that prompt publication ensues.

Review articles are welcome. If you want to submit a review please discuss a topic with the Editor by sending a copy of the abstract for approval before submitting a review paper.

Special Issue on Sustainability Assessment
截稿日期: 2026-04-15

Composites have long been recognized for their performance advantages in structural applications, especially where lightweighting and durability bring life cycle benefits. However, their production, processing, and end-of-life remain associated with significant environmental and societal challenges, and the quantification of these impacts often lags behind technical innovation.

This special issue aims to showcase a set of good practices that help to quantify and improve sustainability in composite materials and their manufacturing processes.

We welcome contributions that go beyond generic claims (e.g., bio-based = sustainable) and instead demonstrate quantified sustainability benefits, trade-offs, or challenges, grounded in robust methods and relevant case studies. We will consider articles that address the following topics, including comparison scenarios or case studies to highlight the data sets and methodology supported by robust data and analysis:

- Sustainable composite materials and manufacturing methods (e.g. energy or resource efficient composite processing, waste reduction, toxicity aspects, water/land use, reduction of consumables such as moulds or bagging films)
- Design for sustainability and end-of-life with a circular economy concept (e.g. novel design for disassembly, durability, repair, reuse, recycling strategies, and supply chain changes to reduce embodied impact)
- Social and governance aspects can also be presented, although the articles should still fit into the general framework of Composites Part A (e.g. responsible sourcing, regional sustainability impacts).
- Data and method development for impact assessment specific to composite materials and processes (e.g. novel or adapted life cycle assessment methods for composites, use-phase modelling, databases or assessment frameworks for impact quantification).
- Circular economy practices in composites (e.g. composites recycling with quantified environmental impacts, recovery and reuse of fibres or resins, comparative scenarios of virgin vs. recycled materials with quantified impact).

What will not be considered:
Submissions will be declined if they:
- Present only mechanical or thermal properties for “green” materials without any quantified sustainability assessment (e.g. only stating that materials are bio-based or biodegradable).
- Discuss sustainability only in the introduction or conclusion, with no substantive methods or analysis to support the claim.
- Use generic or unreferenced data to make unsupported assertions about environmental benefits.

Guest editors:

Véronique Michaud, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Han Zhang, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
Kristiina Oksman, Luleå University of Technology, Lulea, Sweden

Manuscript submission information:

Submission Deadline: Apr 15, 2026

Submission Site: Editorial Manager®

Article Type Name: "VSI: Sustainability Assessment" - please select this item when you submit manuscripts online.

All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, significance, technical quality, and clarity. Once accepted, articles will be posted online immediately and published in a journal regular issue within weeks. Articles will also be simultaneously collected in the online special issue.

For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, welcome to contact Leading Guest Editor.

For more information about our Journal, please visit our ScienceDirect Page: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.

Keywords:

Life cycle assessment, energy efficient composite processing, circular economy, sustainability, cellulose, nanocomposites, bio-composites

https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/323570/sustainability-assessment

Special Issue on Fire Performance of Composite Materials: mechanisms, retardants and modelling
截稿日期: 2026-04-15

This special issue aims at providing a dedicated platform for cutting-edge research on the fire behaviour of polymers and composites.

Guest editors:

Debes Bhattacharyya, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandNam Kyeun Kim, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Special issue information:

With the fire safety regulations becoming internationally more stringent, the fire performance of composites is a critical concern across a wide spectrum of industries. The usages of conventional polymeric composites, valued for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and versatile physical properties, are facing growing limitations as they are often vulnerable to fire hazards.

This special issue aims at providing a dedicated platform for cutting-edge research on the fire behaviour of polymers and composites. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Influence of material systems, structural design, and manufacturing processes on flammability of composites
Environmentally sustainable flame retardants and innovative flame-retardant treatments
Analytical and numerical simulations of fire dynamics in composite systems
Advanced fire testing methodologies and different standards
Mechanical behaviour of composites under elevated temperatures

Manuscript submission information:

Submission Deadline: 15 April 2026

Submission Site: Editorial Manager®

Article Type Name: "VSI: Fire in Composites" - please select this item when you submit manuscripts online.

All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, significance, technical quality, and clarity. Once accepted, articles will be posted online immediately and published in a journal regular issue within weeks. Articles will also be simultaneously collected in the online special issue.

For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, welcome to contact the Leading Guest Editor.

For more information about our Journal, please visit our ScienceDirect Page: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.

Keywords:

Flammability; Flame retardants; Fire dynamics simulation; Flame-retarding treatments; Mechanical behaviour of treated composites; Natural fibres and biopolymer composites; Environmental sustainability

https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/326185/fire-performance-of-composite-materials-mechanisms-retardants-and-modelling