Biocomposites: Design and Mechanical Performance describes recent research on cost-effective ways to improve the mechanical toughness and durability of biocomposites, while also reducing their weight. Beginning with an introduction to commercially competitive natural fiber-based composites, chapters then move on to explore the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane, starch, flax, poly (propylene carbonate)-based biocomposites, and biocomposites from biodegradable polymer blends, natural fibers, and green plastics, giving the reader a deep understanding of the potential of these materials. - Describes recent research to improve the mechanical properties and performance of a wide range of biocomposite materials - Explores the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, and polyurethane - Evaluates the potential of biocomposites as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in industries such as packaging, electronic, automotive, aerospace and construction - Includes contributions from leading experts in this field

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Biodegradable and Bioresorbable Polymer Composites focuses on key areas of fundamental research and applications of biocomposites. Several key elements that affect the usage of these composites in real-life applications are discussed. There will be a comprehensive review on the different kinds of biocomposites at the beginning of the book, then the different types of natural fibers, bio-polymers, and green nanoparticle biocomposites are discussed as well as their potential for future development and use in engineering biomedical and domestic products. Recently mankind has realized that unless the environment is protected, he himself will be threatened by the over consumption of natural resources as well as a substantial reduction in the amount of fresh air produced in the world. Conservation of forests and the optimal utilization of agricultural and other renewable resources like solar, wind, and tidal energy, have become important topics worldwide. With such concern, the use of renewable resources—such as plant and animal-based, fiber-reinforced polymeric composites—are now becoming an important design criterion for designing and manufacturing components for a broad range of different industrial products. Research on biodegradable polymeric composites can contribute, to some extent, to a much greener and safer environment. For example, in the biomedical and bioengineering fields, the use of natural fiber mixed with biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers can produce joint and bone fixtures to alleviate pain in patients. - Includes comprehensive information about the sources, properties, and biodegradability of natural fibers - Discusses failure mechanisms and modeling of natural fibers composites - Analyzes the effectiveness of using natural materials for enhancing mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties

Mechanical and Physical Testing of Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites covers key aspects of fracture and failure in natural/synthetic fiber reinforced polymer based composite materials, ranging from crack propagation, to crack growth, and from notch-size effect, to damage-tolerant design. Topics of interest include mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural, compression, shear, impact, fracture toughness, low and high velocity impact, and anti-ballistic properties of natural fiber, synthetic fibers and hybrid composites materials. It also covers physical properties, such as density, water absorption, thickness swelling, and void content of composite materials fabricated from natural or synthetic materials. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. - Contains contributions from leading experts in the field - Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials - Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis - Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques

Many years of cumulative research has been conducted on the usage of fiber-reinforced composites for biomedical application, but no one source exists where this topic is dealt with systematically. This book addresses polymer composites applied to bioengineering in a comprehensive manner.For potential applications to be successful, full advantage must be taken of the materials properties and the manufacturing techniques to meet the needs of biomedical application. This book focuses on fiber-based composites applied to bioengineering. It addresses three main areas. First, it presents a comprehensive survey of biocomposites from the existing literature in various medical applications, paying particular attention to hard-tissue-related implants. Second, mechanical designs and manufacturing aspects of various fibrous polymer matrix composites are described. The third area concerns examples of the design and development of several medical devices and implants using polymer composites.Chapter 1: Introduction (288 KB)

Recycled plastic biocomposites have attracted widespread attention from both researchers and manufacturers due to the significant improvements in their physico-mechanical, thermal, rheological, and barrier properties when compared to conventional materials, as well as their potential regarding commercialization and zero waste. Recycled Plastic Biocomposites presents the latest information on recycled polymers, textiles, pulp and paper, wood plastic, rubber waste plastic, and micro and nano effects of recycled plastic waste resources that have great potential as reinforcement materials in composites because they are non-toxic, inexpensive, biodegradable, cost-effective, and available in large amounts. Recycled plastic biocomposites are now starting to be deployed in a broad range of materials applications due to their advantages over petroleum-based materials. Currently, there are no limits to the possibility of their applications. They also have exceptional sustainable and biodegradable properties when compared to conventional materials such as polymers and composites. Recycled Plastic Biocomposites reviews the latest research advances on recycled plastic-based biocomposites, including thermoplastic, thermoset, rubber, and foams. In addition, the book covers critical assessments on the economics of recycled plastic, including a cost-performance analysis that discusses its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material. The huge potential applications of recycled plastic in industry are also explored in detail with respect to low cost, recyclable and biodegradable properties, and the way they can be applied to the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. The life cycles of both single and hybrid recycled plastic-based polymer composites and biocomposites are also discussed in detail. From the viewpoint of recycled plastic-based polymer composites, the book covers not only the well-known role of recycled polymers and composites, but also advanced materials produced from micro-, nano-, and pico-scale fillers that achieve better physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. This book will be an essential reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists, and those working in polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing, and biocomposites. - Places an emphasis on micro-, nano-, and pico-scale fillers that significantly improve properties. - Discusses the most suitable fabrication methods, properties, and applications. - Features critical assessments on the economics of recycled plastic, including a cost-performance analysis that reviews its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material.

Polymer composites are materials in which the matrix polymer is reinforced with organic/inorganic fillers of a definite size and shape, leading to enhanced performance of the resultant composite. These materials find a wide number of applications in such diverse fields as geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging, and automobiles. This first systematic reference on the topic emphasizes the characteristics and dimension of this reinforcement. The authors are leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions across the globe, and adopt a practical approach here, covering such aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties and theory of polymer composites. The book begins by discussing the state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities of various polymer composite systems. Interfacial characterization of the composites is discussed in detail, as is the macro- and micromechanics of the composites. Structure-property relationships in various composite systems are explained with the help of theoretical models, while processing techniques for various macro- to nanocomposite systems and the influence of processing parameters on the properties of the composite are reviewed in detail. The characterization of microstructure, elastic, viscoelastic, static and dynamic mechanical, thermal, tribological, rheological, optical, electrical and barrier properties are highlighted, as well as their myriad applications. Divided into three volumes: Vol. 1. Macro- and Microcomposites; Vol. 2. Nanocomposites; and Vol. 3. Biocomposites.

From the reviews: "...This very well written new book is recommended to academic and industrial researchers and specialists interested in green polymers and mainly in their thermal properties...This new and opportune book covers some important properties of green polymers and bio-composites." (D. Feldman, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada)