Explore the world of biocomposites with this one-stop resource edited by four international leaders in the field Biobased Composites: Processing, Characterization, Properties, and Applications delivers a comprehensive treatment of all known characterization methods, properties, and industry applications of biobased composites materials. This unique, one-stop resource covers all major developments in the field from the last decade of research into this environmentally beneficial area. The internationally recognized editors have selected resources that represent advances in the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and water sorption properties of biobased composites, and cover new areas of research in physico-chemical analysis, flame retardancy, failure mechanisms, lifecycle assessment, and modeling of biobased composites. The low weight, low cost, excellent thermal recyclability, and biodegradability of biobased composites make them ideal candidates to replace engineered plastic products derived from fossil fuel. This book provides its readers with the knowledge they'll require to understand a new class of materials increasingly being used in the automotive and packaging industries, aerospace, the military, and construction. It also includes: An extended discussion of the environmental impact of biobased composites using a life cycle methodology A review of forecasts of natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites and its degradability concerns An analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a biobased composite with sisal powder A comprehensive treatment of the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and dielectric properties of biobased composites A review of processing methods for the manufacture of biobased composites Perfect for materials scientists in private industry, government laboratories, or engaged in academic research, Biobased Composites will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial and manufacturing engineers who seek a better understanding of the beneficial industrial applications of biocomposites in industries ranging from automobiles to packaging.

Applications of Unsaturated Polyester Resins: Synthesis, Modifications, and Preparation Methods takes a practical approach to unsaturated polyester-based materials and their preparation for implementation in a range of innovative areas. Sections introduce the background of polyester and the fundamentals of unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs), including chemistry, additives, curing, and processing methods. Hydrolytic stability and structure-property relationships are also discussed in detail, along with coverage of modification strategies for UPR and the development of bio-composites incorporating natural fiber with unsaturated polyester. Subsequent chapters focus on the preparation of UPR for specific target applications, including in construction, marine and aerospace, adhesives and coatings, insulation systems, electrics, pipeline corrosion, military, biomedicine, and tissue engineering. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of UPR compared to other resins, in terms of properties and performance, as well as life cycle assessment, are addressed and analyzed. - Presents processing methods, morphology, structure-property relationship, and modification strategies for unsaturated polyester - Explores sustainability in terms of lifecycle assessment of unsaturated polyester and bio-composites incorporating unsaturated polyester - Guides the reader to advanced applications across construction, marine and aerospace, adhesives and coatings, electrics and many more areas

Biofibers are emerging as a low cost, lightweight and environmentally superior alternative in composites. Generally, different fibers exhibit different properties that are fundamentally important to the resultant composites. This chapter gives an overview of the most common biofibers in biocomposites, covering their sources, types, structure, composition, and properties. Drawbacks of biofibers, such as dimensional instability, moisture absorption, biological, ultraviolet and fire resistance, will be discussed. The chapter will focus on their modifications (physical and chemical methods), matrices based on their petrochemical resources and bio-based, processing of biofiber reinforced plastic composites covering the factors influencing processing (humidity, additives, machinery, processing parameter, fiber content and length), and processing techniques (compounding, compression molding, extrusion, injection molding, pultrusion and others) will be discussed. The properties of the biocomposites based on their mechanical, physical, and biological behavior will also be covered. Lastly, this chapter concludes with recent developments and trends of biocomposites in the near future in civil engineering.

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials has had a dramatic impact on civil engineering techniques over the past three decades. FRPs are an ideal material for structural applications where high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios are required. Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and their applications in civil engineering.Part one outlines the general developments of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) use, reviewing recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials. Part two outlines particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers and covers their use in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications, including their use in disaster-resistant buildings, strengthening steel structures and bridge superstructures.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering is an essential text for researchers and engineers in the field of civil engineering and industries such as bridge and building construction. - Outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer composites and their applications in civil engineering - Reviews recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials - Covers the use of particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications

Since synthetic plastics derived from fossil resources are mostly non-biodegradable, many academic and industrial researchers have shifted their attention toward bio-based materials, which are more eco-friendly. Bio-Based Composites for High-Performance Materials: From Strategy to Industrial Application provides an overview of the state-of-art in bio-based composites. The book integrates knowledge from various disciplines including plant science, materials science, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology. It discusses the raw materials used in bio-based composites, basic design principles, properties, applications, and life cycle assessments. The book also presents a strategic and policy-oriented view of these composites and considers the costs of retrofitting existing chemical production plants for bio-based composite manufacture. It is a definitive resource on bio-composites for academics, regulatory agencies, research and development communities, and industries worldwide.

This set of proceedings is based on the International Conference on Advances in Building Technology in Hong Kong on 4-6 December 2002. The two volumes of proceedings contain 9 invited keynote papers, 72 papers delivered by 11 teams , and 133 contributed papers from over 20 countries around the world. The papers cover a wide spectrum of topics across the three technology sub-themes of structures and construction, environment, and information technology. The variety within these categories spans a width of topics, and these proceedings provide readers with a good general overview of recent advances in building research.