Handbook of Thermoset-Based Biocomposites, Three-Volume Set, Muthukumar, Chandrasekar

The aim of the book is to help the reader to make the right decision and take the correct action on the basis of informed analysis - avoiding the pitfalls the authors' experience has uncovered. In industry, the book supports engineers, scientists, manufacturers and R&D professionals working with plastics. The information included will also be of interest to researchers and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer chemistry, adhesives and coatings.

The books provide detailed information on failure analysis, mechanical and physical properties, structural health monitoring, durability and life prediction, modelling of damage processes of natural fibre, synthetic fibres, and natural/natural, and natural/synthetic fibres hybrid composites. They will act as a detailed reference resource to encourage future research in natural fiber and hybrid composite materials, which is much in demand due to the need for more sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly composites in a broad range of different application fields.

Written by leading experts in the field and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the chapters provide cutting-edge up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials.

Volume 1: Failure analysis This book covers key aspects of fracture and failure in natural/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer based composite materials. These range from crack propagation to crack growth, notch-size effect to damage-tolerant design. The book describes a broad range of techniques and strategies for compositional and failure analysis of polymeric materials and products. It also illustrates the application of analytical methods for solving commonly encountered problems in the composite manufacturing industry.

Volume 2: Mechanical and physical testing This volume provides comprehensive information on mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, compression, shear, impact, fracture toughness, low and high velocity impact, and anti-ballistic properties of natural fibre, synthetic fibres 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.

Volume 3: Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) This book provides a comprehensive review of both established and promising new technologies currently under development in the emerging area of structural health monitoring in aerospace, construction and automotive structures. It describes SHM methods and sensors related to specific composites and how advantages and limitations of various sensors and methods can help the user make informed choices in their structure development.

Volume 4: Durability and life prediction Materials durability is a major issue of concern in composites design and it needs to be understood. Different techniques used to assess materials durability are presented in this book via various applications. Topics covered include: environmental degradation such as soil burial, accelerated weathering, long term water immersion for marine applications, life cycle assessment (LCA), and service-life performance.

Volume 5: Modelling of damage processes in natural/synthetic and hybrid composite materials Finite element and damage modeling of natural fibres, synthetic fibres and hybrid composite materials are covered in this book using up to date techniques in aerospace, automotive and construction applications.

- Spider silk biocomposites

- Biogenic hydroxyapatite-based implant biocomposites

- Liquid crystals and cellulose derivatives biocomposites

- Bio-based epoxy resins

- Bio-based polyphenols and lignocellulosic fibers

- Wood-based biocomposites

- Flame retardant biocomposites

- Biocomposites for industrial noise control

- Cellulose-based bionanocomposites

Each individual chapter also focuses on the knowledge and understanding of the interfaces manifested in these biocomposites systems and the optimization of different parameters for novel properties. In addition to this, the book also summarizes the recent developments made in the area of injection molding of biocomposites, chemical functionalization of natural fibers, processing of biocomposites, and their applications in the automotive and biomedical industries. A number of critical issues and suggestions for future work are discussed, underscoring the roles of researchers for the efficient development of biocomposite materials through value addition to enhance their use.

With contributions from eminent editors and recognized authors around the world, this book is a vital reference for researchers in biomedical engineering, materials science and environmental science, both in industry and academia.

The books provide detailed information on failure analysis, mechanical and physical properties, structural health monitoring, durability and life prediction, modelling of damage processes of natural fibre, synthetic fibres, and natural/natural, and natural/synthetic fibres hybrid composites. They will act as a detailed reference resource to encourage future research in natural fiber and hybrid composite materials, which is much in demand due to the need for more sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly composites in a broad range of different application fields.

Written by leading experts in the field and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the chapters provide cutting-edge up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials.

Volume 1: Failure analysis This book covers key aspects of fracture and failure in natural/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer based composite materials. These range from crack propagation to crack growth, notch-size effect to damage-tolerant design. The book describes a broad range of techniques and strategies for compositional and failure analysis of polymeric materials and products. It also illustrates the application of analytical methods for solving commonly encountered problems in the composite manufacturing industry.

• Contributions from leading experts in the field
• Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and 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

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.