This Handbook is the first to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries. Bioplastics and biocomposites are becoming increasingly prominent because synthetic plastics and glass fiber composites are neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications brings together scientists from academia and industry to report on current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites arena. This new science is interdisciplinary and integrates pure and applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications: Packaging; Civil Engineering; Biomedical; Automotive; General Engineering. The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing, characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites including: Polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc. Thermoplastic and thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a focus on the automobile industry. The ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers). Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering applications. The Handbook will be of central interest to engineers, scientists and researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites, biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food packaging.

With the upsurge in terrorism in recent years and the possibility of accidental blast threats, there is growing interest in manufacturing blast 'hardened' structures and retrofitting blast mitigation materials to existing structures. Composites provide the ideal material for blast protection as they can be engineered to give different levels of protection by varying the reinforcements and matrices.Part one discusses general technical issues with chapters on topics such as blast threats and types of blast damage, processing polymer matrix composites for blast protection, standards and specifications for composite blast protection materials, high energy absorbing composite materials for blast resistant design, modelling the blast response of hybrid laminated composite plates and the response of composite panels to blast wave pressure loadings. Part two reviews applications including ceramic matrix composites for ballistic protection of vehicles and personnel, using composites to protect military vehicles from mine blasts, blast protection of buildings using FRP matrix composites, using composites in blast resistant walls for offshore, naval and defence related structures, using composites to improve the blast resistance of columns in buildings, retrofitting using fibre reinforced polymer composites for blast protection of buildings and retrofitting to improve the blast response of concrete masonry walls.With its distinguished editor and team of expert contributors, Blast protection of civil infrastructures and vehicles using composites is a standard reference for all those concerned with protecting structures from the effects of blasts in both the civil and military sectors. - Reviews the role of composites in blast protection with an examination of technical issues, applications of composites and ceramic matrix composites - Presents numerical examples of simplified blast load computation and an overview of the basics of high explosives includes important properties and physical forms - Varying applications of composites for protection are explored including military and non-military vehicles and increased resistance in building columns and masonry walls

Polymer matrix composites are used extensively across a wide range of industries, making the design and development of effective manufacturing processes of great importance. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of this class of composite.Following an introduction to composites and manufacturing processes, part one reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth. Thermoplastic processing is the focus of part two. Sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles are investigated. Part three reviews thermoset processing. A survey of resin transfer molding follows, including vacuum-assisted and compression resin transfer molding. The pultrusion process is then considered, before the book concludes with an investigation into autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing processes in polymer matrix composites.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is an essential guide for engineers and scientists working in the field of polymer matrix composites. - Provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of polymer matrix composites - Reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle-based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth - Examines thermoplastic processing, sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles

Modern structural applications of composite materials are dictated by the processing methods available. In this chapter, we introduce recent developments related to the manufacturing of composites in civil engineering applications using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, pultrusion, and automated fiber placement.

There is a wealth of literature on modeling and simulation of polymer composite manufacturing processes. However, existing books neglect to provide a systematic explanation of how to formulate and apply science-based models in polymer composite manufacturing processes. Process Modeling in Composites Manufacturing, Second Edition provides tangible methods to optimize this process — and it remains a proven, powerful introduction to the basic principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Includes tools to develop an experience base to aid in modeling a composite manufacturing process Building on past developments, this new book updates the previous edition’s coverage of process physics and the state of modeling in the field. Exploring research derived from experience, intuition, and trial and error, the authors illustrate a state-of-the-art understanding of mass, momentum, and energy transfer during composites processing. They introduce computer-based solutions using MATLAB® code and flow simulation-based analysis, which complement closed-form solutions discussed in the book, to help readers understand the role of different material, geometric, and process parameters. This self-contained primer provides an introduction to modeling of composite manufacturing processes for anyone working in material science and engineering, industrial, mechanical, and chemical engineering. It introduces a scientific basis for manufacturing, using solved example problems which employ calculations provided in the book. End-of-chapter questions and problems and fill in the blanks sections reinforce the content in order to develop the experience base of the manufacturing, materials, and design engineer or scientists, as well as seniors and first-year graduate students.