Aluminum–carbon nanotube (Al–CNT) composites represent a cutting-edge class of materials characterized by their exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, making them highly promising for aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy applications. This review systematically examines the impact of various fabrication methods, including conventional powder metallurgy, diffusion and reaction coupling, as well as adhesive and reaction bonding on the microstructure and performance of Al–CNT composites. The analysis emphasizes the critical role of CNT dispersion, interfacial bonding, and the formation of reinforcing phases, such as Al₄C₃ and Al₂O₃, in determining the mechanical strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability of these materials. The challenges of CNT agglomeration, high production costs, and difficulties in controlling interfacial interactions are highlighted alongside potential solutions, such as surface modifications and reinforcement strategies. The insights presented aim to guide future research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

Polymer composites, in particular aramid-epoxy composites, are widely used in fields such as aerospace, transportation, electronics, etc. due to their excellent mechanical and dielectric properties. This article presents studies of modification and combined reinforcement on the mechanical properties of aramid-epoxy composites. The influence of matrix (epoxy resin) and reinforcing filler (aramid fabric) mass ratio and ways to increase strength characteristics and impact toughness of the composite were studied. Comparative results for composites made by vacuum forming and vacuum infusion methods are presented. Mass ratio of reinforcing filler and matrix varied in the range of 50:50%, 60:40%, 65:35%, and 75:25%. It was found that modifying epoxy resin with polyurethane rubber plasticizer, together with combined reinforcement of aramid fabric/aramid roving, resulted in composite strength up to 720 MPa and impact toughness of 426 kJ/m². Modification of epoxy resin with tricresyl phosphate leads to composite strength up to 710 MPa and impact toughness of 475 kJ/m². Thus, it is shown that modification and combined reinforcement of aramid-epoxy composites are the most effective methods to increase strength and adhesion to epoxy resin.

Rocket engine nozzle blocks operate under extreme thermal and oxidative loads, requiring materials with high temperature resistance, dimensional stability, and a predictable lifetime without active cooling. This review provides a comparative overview of multimatrix composite materials-including C/C, C/SiC, SiC/SiC, MMC, and polymer-based ablative systems-representing the full spectrum of materials used in non-cooled rocket nozzles. The study highlights the evolutionary continuum from polymeric ablative systems to carbon, ceramic, and metallic matrices, demonstrating how each class extends operational limits in temperature capability, reusability, and structural integrity. Polymer and ablative composites serve as the foundation of thermal protection through controlled ablation and insulation, while carbon- and ceramic-based systems ensure long-term performance at ultra-high temperatures (>1600 °C). MMCs bridge these classes by combining strength, impact toughness, and thermal conductivity in transition zones. Particular attention is given to manufacturing technologies such as PIP, CVI, LPI, RS, powder metallurgy, casting, diffusion bonding, and filament winding, emphasizing their effect on microstructure, porosity, and lifetime. A practical selection matrix linking nozzle zones, mission profiles, and composite types is proposed, outlining trade-offs among performance, mass, lifetime, and manufacturability, and guiding the design of next-generation thermal protection and propulsion systems based on the multimatrix concept.

Study of the effect of combined reinforcement and modification of epoxy resin with rubbers on the impact strength of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic

This study addresses the need for thermomechanically robust materials for high-temperature environments by investigating fabric-reinforced composites produced through polymer infiltration and thermal pressing using phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and epoxy (ER) resins. Experimental validation was required due to the lack of comparative data across different textile reinforcements under identical conditions. Seven technical fabrics—carbon, aramid, basalt, silica, fiberglass, asbestos, and a carbon/aramid hybrid—were used as reinforcements. Mechanical testing revealed that carbon- and hybrid fiber composites exhibited the highest tensile (up to 465 MPa) and compressive strengths (up to 301 MPa), particularly when combined with ER. Conversely, the use of PF generally resulted in a 30–50% reduction in mechanical strength. However, PF-based composites demonstrated superior thermal resistance, with the silica/PF combination showing the lowest back-face temperature (401 °C), up to 37% lower than other pairings. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.041 to 0.51 W/m·K, with PF-based systems offering 6–12% lower values on average compared to ER-based analogs. Morphological analysis confirmed better interfacial bonding in ER composites, while PF systems showed higher structural integrity under thermal loading. Overall, the results emphasize the trade-offs between mechanical strength and thermal protection depending on the fabric–resin combination. Among all variants, the silica fabric with PF demonstrated the most balanced performance, making it a promising candidate for thermomechanical applications.

In this paper, a study of carbon fiber reinforced plastic tubes, which are widely used in overwhelming of technical industries, including aerospace industry, with single and combined winding angles (30°, 45°, 60° and 80°) fabricated by wet winding method on X-Winder machine has been carried out. The core problem addressed in this research is identifying optimal winding angles of carbon fiber reinforced plastic tubes at which the strength parameters remain in a relative equilibrium. Compressive strength, tensile strength and impact strength tests were carried out. The results of specimens with single winding angle showed that a maximum tensile strength of 630 MPa was achieved at a winding angle of ±30° and a maximum compressive strength of 380 MPa was achieved at an angle of ±80°. The maximum value of impact strength was achieved at a winding angle of ±60°. In order to obtain a balance in the strength characteristics of the tubular rods, combined reinforced winding with ±30°/45°, ±30°/60°, ±30°/80°, ±80°/45° and ±80°/60° angles were investigated. High values of compressive strength of 434 MPa, tensile strength of 675 MPa and impact strength of 165 kJ/m2 were achieved with ±30°/80° combined winding angle. The fibers of the material, which were oriented closer to the compression direction, resulted in reduced efficiency of transferring compressive forces between the fibers and decreased compressive strength. This uniform stress distribution permitted the load to be equally divided between the fibers, which effectively utilized their strength properties. Thus, results confirmed the importance of selecting the optimal winding angles to create carbon fiber reinforced plastic tubes with the required strength properties