Mineral-filled polymer composites are widely used in industries across the globe, and applications are continuously increasing in sectors such as shipping, manufacturing and renewable energy. One of two volumes comprising the Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook, this volume provides an overview of the latest research and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites, focused specifically on materials properties. It covers fundamentals, recent progress and new materials involved in mineral-filled polymer composites and includes a wide-ranging list of chapters authored by an international team of experts. This book: Examines the properties of a wide range of materials, from macro- to nano-sized Highlights resources for bio-based minerals production and compares bio-based minerals with commercial mineral fillers Covers novel synthesis methods Discusses effects of aging on properties Describes using halloysite and montmorillonite to improve composite properties and the potential of using mineral fillers to enhance the properties of biopolymer and synthetic polymers This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials and nano-assembly.

Mineral-filled polymer composites are increasingly used for various applications, including automotive, construction, biomedical, maritime, sport and ballistic, due to the advantages of low cost, light weight, excellent rigidity and high mechanical strength. One of two volumes comprising the Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook, this volume provides an overview of the latest research, trends, applications and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites. It focuses specifically on material selection, processing and applications. This book: Emphasizes the principles governing the behavior of mineral-filled composite materials in the field of engineering and their applications Covers systematic material selection tools such as analytical hierarchy process (AHP), analytical network process (ANP), and technique of ranking preferences by similarity of the ideal solution (TOPSIS) Reviews the use of these materials for various engineering applications Features chapters looking at fabrication techniques and frictional properties Details current research in polymer nanocomposites and particulate polymer composites This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials and nano-assembly.

Mineral-filled polymer composites exhibit several advantages that make this material class attractive for a variety of applications, including their low cost, light weight, excellent rigidity, and high mechanical strength. Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook serves as a comprehensive overview of the latest research, trends, applications, and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Comprised of 2 volumes: Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites: Perspective, Properties, and New Materials Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites: Selection, Processing, and Applications Presents details on processing, applications, and ageing of macro- to nanosized mineral reinforced polymer composites Examines fabrication techniques, novel synthesis methods, and mechanical behavior, thermal, flammability, and functional properties of a wide array of mineral filled polymer composite materials Covers a broad range of different research fields, including organic and inorganic filler used in the development of composites for various types of engineering applications Offers the latest developments in nano/micromineral-based polymer composites This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics, and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials, and nano-assembly.

Mineral-filled polymer composites are widely used in industries across the globe, and applications are continuously increasing in sectors such as shipping, manufacturing and renewable energy. One of two volumes comprising the Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook, this volume provides an overview of the latest research and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites, focused specifically on materials properties. It covers fundamentals, recent progress and new materials involved in mineral-filled polymer composites and includes a wide-ranging list of chapters authored by an international team of experts. This book: Examines the properties of a wide range of materials, from macro- to nano-sized Highlights resources for bio-based minerals production and compares bio-based minerals with commercial mineral fillers Covers novel synthesis methods Discusses effects of aging on properties Describes using halloysite and montmorillonite to improve composite properties and the potential of using mineral fillers to enhance the properties of biopolymer and synthetic polymers This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials and nano-assembly.

This is an updated version of the book first published in 1995. The use of particulate fillers in polymers has a long history, and they continue to play a very important role today. In the relatively short time since the publication of the first edition of this book, much has changed and all the chapters have been updated and revised, and a completely new chapter covering the latest developments in nano-filler technology is included. The aim of this book is to provide a guide to the fundamentals of the use of particulate fillers, which is accessible to people from the many different industries and disciplines who have an interest in the subject. Chapters cover: Selection and Use of Particulate Fillers Types of Particulate Filler Filler Surfaces and their Characterisation Surface Modification and Surface Modifiers Preparation and Mixture Characterisation of Mineral Filler Polymer Compounds Particulate Fillers as Flame Retardants Particulate Fillers in Elastomers Particulate Fillers in Thermoplastics Particulate Fillers in Thermosets Composites Using Nano-Fillers

In recent years, a growing number of engineering applications of light weight and energy efficient plastics can be found in high quality parts vital to the func tioning of entire equipments and structures. Improved mechanical properties, especially balance of stiffness and toughness, are among the most frequently desired features of the new materials. In addition, reduced flammability is con sidered the single most important requirement for further expansion of plastics into large volume and demanding markets such as construction and mass trans port. Production of power cables also requires flame retardant cable jacketing plastics to replace or at least to reduce consumption of environmentally unsound PVC. The two principal ways to achieve the goals mentioned above include the development of completely new thermoplastic polymers and various modifica tions of the existing ones. Development and commercialization of a new ther moplastic require mobilization of large human and financial resources, the lat ter being within the range from $100 million to $10 billion, in comparison to $100 thousand to $10 million needed to develop and commercialize polymeric mate rial with prescribed end use properties using physical or chemical modification of an existing plastic. In addition, the various markets utilizing thermoplastics demand large flexibility in material properties with only moderate volumes, at the best.