The proper choice of technology is a complex decision, particularly for developing countries, as it depends not only on local needs and conditions but also, importantly, on the national political context and, increasingly, on the international environment. This technological choice carries with it the genetic code of the nation's future development. Many developing countries which lack the needed infrastructure do not have real options; others with a reservoir of scientific and engineering skills and explicit SIT strategies, can indeed choose between alternatives. Turning to the technologies themselves, these cover a wide spectrum: traditional technologies that are low-cost, low-energy and often better suited to meet basic needs; more sophisticated technologies which are highly knowledge-intensive and require large capital outlays for research, product design and manufacturing; and still others which depend upon a blending of modern technology with traditional methods to create products and processes more suited to local needs. Even within the group of advanced technologies, there is considerable differentiation, and those at the lower end of the product cycle are clearly within reach by the newly industri alizing countries.

Carbon fibres are lightweight, chemically stable materials with high mechanical strength, and have state-of-the-art applications in aerospace, marine, construction and automotive sectors. The demand for carbon fibre?based components is expected to grow dramatically with expanding opportunities for lightweight metals and composites. Although this field has achieved a high level of maturity, nanoscale developments in carbon fibres have seen dramatic improvements in the functions of conventional biomaterials and composites. This book reveals several new developments in the field to enhance characteristics of carbon fibres and their composites, novel applications for tissue engineering, biological scaffoldings and implants, recycling and reuse of end-of-life CFRP and manufacturing waste and other issues of concern in the field of carbon fibres.

Having a solid understanding of materials recycling is of high importance, especially due to the growing use of composites in many industries and increasingly strict legislation and concerns about the disposal of composites in landfills or by incineration. Recycling of Plastics, Metals, and Their Composites provides a comprehensive review of the recycling of waste polymers and metal composites. It provides the latest advances and covers the fundamentals of recycled polymers and metal composites, such as preparation, morphology, and physical, mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardancy properties. FEATURES Offers a state-of-the-art review of the recycling of polymer composites and metal composites for sustainability Describes a life-cycle analysis to help readers understand the true potential value and market for these recycled materials Details potential applications of recycled polymer and metal composites Includes the performance of natural fiber–reinforced recycled thermoplastic polymer composites under aging conditions and the recycling of multi-material plastics Covers recycling technologies, opportunities, and challenges for polymer-matrix composites This book targets technical professionals in the metal and polymer industries as well as researchers, scientists, and advanced students. It is also of interest to decision makers at material suppliers, recycled metal and polymer product manufacturers, and governmental agencies working with recycled metal and polymer composites.

Natural and Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Composites Discover a comprehensive exploration of fiber reinforced polymers by an expert team of editors Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites offer several unique properties that make them ideal for use in a wide range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to marine, construction, and co-industrial. In Natural and Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Composites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications, a distinguished team of mechanical engineers delivers a comprehensive overview of fiber reinforced composites. This edited volume includes thorough discussions of glass-, cotton-, and carbon-fiber reinforced materials, as well as the tribological properties and non-structural applications of synthetic fiber composites. Readers will also find practical explorations of the structural evolution, mechanical features, and future possibilities of fiber, textile, and nano-cementitious materials. The physical and chemical properties of cotton fiber-based composites are explored at length, as are the extraordinary mechanical, thermal, electrical, electronic, and field emission properties of carbon nanotubes. This singular book also includes: A thorough discussion of recent advancements in natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, their implications, and the opportunities that arise as a result A comprehensive exploration of the thermal behavior of natural fiber-based composites An insightful review of the literature on sisal fiber with polymer matrices A response to the growing research gap in the existing literature regarding natural fiber-based polymer composites and solutions to address it Perfect for scientists, engineers, professors, and students working in areas involving natural and synthetic reinforced polymers and composites, Natural and Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Composites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications offers a one-of-a-kind resource to help readers understand a critical and rapidly evolving technology.

Science and Engineering of Short Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites, Second Edition, provides the latest information on the 'short fiber reinforced composites' (SFRP) that have found extensive applications in automobiles, business machines, durable consumer items, sporting goods and electrical industries due to their low cost, easy processing and superior mechanical properties over parent polymers. This updated edition presents new developments in this field of research and includes new chapters on electrical conductivity, structural monitoring, functional properties, self-healing, finite element method techniques, multi-scale SFRCs, and both modern computational and process engineering methods. - Reviews the mechanical properties and functions of short fiber reinforced polymer composites (SFRP) - Examines recent developments in the fundamental mechanisms of SFRP's - Assesses major factors affecting mechanical performance, such as stress transfer and strength - Includes new chapters on electrical conductivity, structural monitoring, functional properties, self-healing, finite element method techniques, multi-scale SFRCs, modern computational methods, and process engineering methods

Advanced Materials from Recycled Waste examines the structural components of waste and looks at how best to transform those waste materials into advanced materials that can be utilized for high-end applications. Sections explore what is meant by Waste – looking at what are the sources, types of waste, and the management techniques and three sections dealing with specific types of waste materials, including Industrial, Agricultural and Plastics/Polymers. Classification, characterization, utilization of, physical and mechanical properties, and design and development are explored for each of these materials. Each section concludes with a review of the challenges and future prospects for their utilization. This book will be a vital resource for a broad audience interested in the reuse of waste materials, including materials scientists and materials engineers in industry involved in the recycling, reuse and reclamation of materials and industrial byproducts, and some more general environmental scientists and engineers involved in sustainable development. Focuses on various types of wastes and their sources and compounds Outlines the chemical constituents and mineralogical phases present in waste which could be exploited to design and develop advanced materials Takes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of waste Presents the bulk utilization of current waste application technologies to enable the implementation of newer strategies to produce various other materials that are useful for a broad application spectrum