Polymer fiber composites are increasingly being used in many industries, including the defense industry. However, for protective applications, in addition to high specific strength and stiffness, polymer composites are also required to have a high energy absorption capacity. To improve the performance of fiber-reinforced composites, many researchers have modified them using multiple methods, such as the introduction of nanofillers into the polymer matrix, the modification of fibers with nanofillers, the impregnation of fabrics using a shear thickening fluid (STF) or a shear thickening gel (STG), or a combination of these techniques. In addition, the physical structures of composites have been modified through reinforcement hybridization; the appropriate design of roving, weave, and cross-orientation of fabric layers; and the development of 3D structures. This review focuses on the effects of modifying composites on their impact energy absorption capacity and other mechanical properties. It highlights the technologies used and their effectiveness for the three main fiber types: glass, carbon, and aramid. In addition, basic design considerations related to fabric selection and orientation are indicated. Evaluation of the literature data showed that the highest energy absorption capacities are obtained by using an STF or STG and an appropriate fiber reinforcement structure, while modifications using nanomaterials allow other strength parameters to be improved, such as flexural strength, tensile strength, or shear strength.

As part of the present work, polymer composites used in 3D printing technology, especially in Melted and Extruded Manufacturing (MEM) technology, were obtained. The influence of modified fillers such as alumina modified silica, quaternary ammonium bentonite, lignin/silicon dioxide hybrid filler and unmodified multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the properties of polycarbonate (PC) composites was investigated. In the first part of the work, the polymer and its composites containing 0.5–3 wt.% filler were used to obtain a filament using the proprietary technological line. The moldings for testing functional properties were obtained with the use of 3D printing and injection molding techniques. In the next part of the work, the rheological properties—mass flow rate (MFR) and mechanical properties—Rockwell hardness, Charpy impact strength and static tensile strength with Young’s modulus were examined. The structure of the obtained composites was also described and determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The porosity, roughness and dimensional stability of samples obtained by 3D printing were also determined. On the other hand, the physicochemical properties were presented on the basis of the research results using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray scattering analysis (WAXS) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Additionally, the electrical conductivity of the obtained composites was investigated. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that both the amount and the type of filler significantly affected the functional properties of the composites tested in the study.

A novel group of silsesquioxane derivatives, which are siloxane-silsesquioxane resins (S4SQ), was for the first time examined as possible flame retardants in polypropylene (PP) materials. Thermal stability of the PP/S4SQ composites compared to the S4SQ resins and neat PP was estimated using thermogravimetric (TG) analysis under nitrogen and in air atmosphere. The effects of the non-functionalized and n-alkyl-functionalized siloxane-silsesquioxane resins on thermostability and flame retardancy of PP materials were also evaluated by thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TG-FTIR) and by cone calorimeter tests. The results revealed that the functionalized S4SQ resins may form a continuous ceramic layer on the material surface during its combustion, which improves both thermal stability and flame retardancy of the PP materials. This beneficial effect was observed especially when small amounts of the S4SQ fillers were applied. The performed analyses allowed us to propose a possible mechanism for the degradation of the siloxane-silsesquioxane resins, as well as to explain their possible role during the combustion of the PP/S4SQ composites.

A study was carried out involving the filling of epoxy resin (EP) with bentonites and silica modified with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The method of homogenization and the type of filler affect the functional and canceling properties of the composites was determined. The filler content ranged from 1.5% to 4.5% by mass. The basic mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were found to improve, and, in particular, there was an increase in tensile strength by 44%, and in Charpy impact strength by 93%. The developed hybrid composites had characteristics typical of polymer nanocomposites modified by clays, with a fine plate morphology of brittle fractures observed by SEM, absence of a plate separation peak in Wide Angles X-ray Scattering (WAXS) curves, and an exfoliated structure observed by TEM.

This paper presents ways to modify epoxy resin matrix composites to increase their electrical conductivity. Good electrical properties are particularly important for materials used in the construction of vehicles (cars, trains, airplanes) and other objects exposed to lightning (e.g., wind turbines). When the hull plating is made of an electrical conductor (e.g., metal alloys) it acts as a Faraday cage and upon lightning discharge the electrical charge does not cause damage to the structure. Epoxy-resin-based composites have recently been frequently used to reduce the weight of structures, but due to the insulating properties of the resin, various modifications must be applied to improve the conductivity of the composite. The methods to improve the conductivity have been categorized into three groups: modification of the matrix with conductive fillers, modification of the composite reinforcement, and addition of layers with increased electrical conductivity to the composite.

We investigated the effect of modified aluminosilicates, including bentonite from Armenia (BA) modified with quaternary ammonium salts (BAQAS) and phosphonium salts (BAQPS), on the mechanical properties and morphology of Kevlar/epoxy composites. The Kevlar/epoxy composites containing 1.0 or 3.0 wt.% modified bentonites were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique. The mechanical properties, including the tensile, flexural, and in-plane shear strength, were tested. Based on the obtained results, we found that the mechanical properties increased with modified bentonite loading. The best results were obtained for composites containing 3 wt.% BAQAS, as most of the mechanical properties were significantly improved (tensile strength 302.9 MPa (+30%), Young’s modulus 16.3 GPa (+17%), flexural modulus 23.4 GPa (+12.5%), in-plane shear strength 22.8 MPa (+24.5%), and in-plane shear modulus 677.2 MPa (+42%)). The obtained improvements in the mechanical properties are attributed to the uniform dispersion of the filler, which was confirmed by the highest increase in the intergallery spacing, from 28.3 Å for BAQAS to 45.1 Å for the composite with 3 wt.% BAQAS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the brittle fracture surface indicated that the addition of modified bentonite to the epoxy matrix changed the morphology of the Kevlar/epoxy/organoclay composites and improved the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion.