Journal profile · Materials Science, Composites
Composites Part B Engineering
ISSN 1359-8368 · eISSN 1879-1069 · Elsevier Ltd · ENGLAND · Semi-monthly · Founded 1996
Composites Part B Engineering: CAS Zone 1 · Materials Science (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal); impact factor 13.94; hybrid open access; APC about USD 5,210; review about 76 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: fairly easy (Elsevier website: 51%); 1,082 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Composites Part B Engineering is published by Elsevier Ltd and is in Zone 1 of Materials Science in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Mechanical Behavior of Composites, Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete and Composite Structure Analysis and Optimization, together about 28.2% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Composites Part B: Engineering publishes impactful research of high quality on composite materials, supported by fundamental mechanics and materials science and engineering approaches. Targeted research may cover a range of length scales from nano, over micro and meso to full product/structure level, with a focus on Engineering embracing high performance applications spanning from low volume/high-cost to high volume/low-cost composite development.The Journal aims to provide a forum for the prompt publication of original and high quality research, with emphasis on design, development, modelling, validation and manufacturing of engineering details and concepts. Fundamental and applied research papers are welcomed as well as proposals for review articles. 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. Authors are encouraged to address challenges across application areas, such as (but not limited to) aerospace, automotive and other surface transportation, energy (renewable applications encouraged), infrastructure, off-shore, maritime, health care technology, and recreational products. A key consideration is that composite engineering pathways must be addressed. The Journal prioritizes original contributions with a balance between experimental and modelling based research. Contributions that are overwhelmingly focused on stand-alone chemistry and/or materials science, theoretical/numerical modelling methodologies with little or no consideration for experimental validation and engineering pathways are considered out of scope. Further, the Journal welcomes manuscripts focusing on polymer, ceramic and metallic matrix composites, but contributions with a main emphasis on metallurgy, metal alloys/compositions and crystallography are considered out of scope.Current topics of key interest to the readers of the Journal include all aspects related to composite engineering, manufacturing, design, validation, characterisation/testing, performance, application and environmental sustainability of composite materials, and including multi-functional and smart composite materials, novel composite material concepts, and also biomimetics and bio-based composites.The focus research areas of the journal include but are not limited to:High performance fibre reinforced composite materials for aerospace and other high-end applications;High-volume/low-cost composites for automotive, wind turbine, gas and energy storage, infrastructure, marine and off-shore applications;Design, modelling, characterisation, validation, and manufacturing of composite materials and structure assemblies including load-response, failure, performance and manufacturing process evaluation;Composite prototyping and innovative engineering conceptsComposite materials recycling and sustainability; Functional and multi-functional composites with tailored/designed mechanical, electric, magnetic, photonic, thermal and other properties with a focus on engineering;Additive manufacturing and 3D printing of polymer, metal and ceramic, composite/hybrid material systems;Energy harvesting and storage composites in batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors;Nanocomposites, nanomaterials, 2D materials and porous materials with a focus on engineering;Nature-derived and bio-inspired materials incl. biomaterials;Biomedical composites and materials;Flame and fire safety polymers and composite materials;Composites development and applications supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), with a focus on the contributions to the advancement of composites science and engineering rather that AI/ML methodologies.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Materials Science, Composites
Editor-in-chief Hua-Xin PengPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 16 in mainland China (about 24%); most named Mainland China 16, United States 14, South Korea 6, United Kingdom 4, Japan 3 (66 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Mechanical Behavior of CompositesEngineering14.8%
- Structural Behavior of Reinforced ConcreteEngineering6.9%
- Composite Structure Analysis and OptimizationEngineering6.5%
- Natural Fiber Reinforced CompositesMaterials Science6.1%
- Fiber-reinforced polymer compositesEngineering5.5%
- Innovative concrete reinforcement materialsEngineering4%
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsEngineering3.5%
- Structural Load-Bearing AnalysisEngineering3.5%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Materials Science Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Engineering, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Composites | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Materials Science Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Engineering, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Composites | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Materials Science Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Materials Science | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Engineering, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Materials Science, Composites | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 13.94LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 14Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 24.2LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 24.2Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 2.59LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 2.52LetPub ·
- h-index
- 113LetPub ·
- h-index
- 266OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 10,865OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 14.06OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 8.6%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 18.46%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 994LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 13,812 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 728 | 173 | 1,306 |
| 2025 | 1,082 | 235 | 13,838 |
| 2024 | 768 | 235 | 21,091 |
| 2023 | 562 | 178 | 24,292 |
| 2022 | 731 | 158 | 41,904 |
| 2021 | 805 | 184 | 56,892 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
76 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 3.1 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 3.1 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 51%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 4 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 38 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 76 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 5,210 / EUR 4,870 / GBP 4,170 / JPY 646,200 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 4,920 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Templates
- LaTeX
Article types accepted10, with length limits
- book reviewOriginal high-quality research papers.Letters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with e…Length not stated
- calendar of forthcoming eventsComposites also publishes book review, conference reports and a calendar of forthcoming events.Length not stated
- conference reportOriginal high-quality research papers.Letters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with e…Length not stated
- conference reportsComposites also publishes book review, conference reports and a calendar of forthcoming events.Length not stated
- editorialOriginal high-quality research papers.Letters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with e…Length not stated
- letterOriginal high-quality research papers.Letters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with e…Length not stated
- letters commenting on recently published papersLetters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with editorial policy.Length not stated
- original high-quality research papersOriginal high-quality research papers.Length not stated
- research paperOriginal high-quality research papers.Letters commenting on recently published papers, on matters of general interest to readers, or on matters concerned with e…Length not stated
- review articleReview papers are welcome and encouraged. Authors intending to write a review must first submit a proposal to the editors for approval before preparing the full…main text ≤ 300 words · abstract ≤ 300 words
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Ethics in publishing Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Peer review type: single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed, not counted as prior publication Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Semi-monthly
- Founded
- 1996
- ISSN
- 1359-8368
- Electronic ISSN
- 1879-1069
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Composites Part B Engineering
What CAS zone is Composites Part B Engineering in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Composites Part B Engineering is in Zone 1 of Materials Science, and in Zone 1 of the minor category Engineering, Multidisciplinary / Materials Science, Composites; it is a Top journal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Materials Science. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Composites Part B Engineering?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 13.94; CiteScore 24.2, h-index 266.
How long does peer review take at Composites Part B Engineering?
The publisher reports about 76 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 3.1 months; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly easy (Elsevier website: 51%)”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Composites Part B Engineering?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Templates: LaTeX. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Composites Part B Engineering based?
Of the 66 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 16 (about 24%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (16), United States (14) and South Korea (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Composites Part B Engineering?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Composites Part B Engineering is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Composites Part B Engineering open access, and what is the APC?
Composites Part B Engineering is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 5,210.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .