Bio-based Plant Oil Polymers and Composites provides engineers and materials scientists a useful framework to help take advantage of the latest research conducted in this rapidly advancing field—enabling them to develop and commercialize their own products quickly and more successfully. Plant oil is one of the most attractive options as a substitute for non-renewable resources in polymers and composites, and is producing materials with very promising thermomechanical properties relative to traditional, petroleum-based polymers. In addition to critical processing and characterization information, the book assists engineers in deciding whether or not they should use a plant oil-based polymer over a petroleum-based polymer, discussing sustainability concerns, biodegradability, associated costs, and recommended applications. The book details the advancements in the development of polymeric materials and composites from plant oils, and provides a critical review of current applications in various fields, including packaging, biomedical, and automotive applications. Also includes the latest progress in developing multifunctional biobased polymers—by increasing thermal conductivity or adding antibacterial properties, for example. - Essential coverage of processing, characterization, and the latest research into polymeric materials and composites derived from plant oils (thermoplastics, thermosets, nanocomposites, and fiber reinforced composites) - Critically reviews the potential applications of plant oil-based polymers, including sensors, structural parts, medical devices, and automotive interiors - Includes the latest developments in multifunctional bio-based polymer composites

Bio-Based Polymers and Composites is the first book systematically describing the green engineering, chemistry and manufacture of biobased polymers and composites derived from plants. This book gives a thorough introduction to bio-based material resources, availability, sustainability, biobased polymer formation, extraction and refining technologies, and the need for integrated research and multi-disciplinary working teams. It provides an in-depth description of adhesives, resins, plastics, and composites derived from plant oils, proteins, starches, and natural fibers in terms of structures, properties, manufacturing, and product performance. This is an excellent book for scientists, engineers, graduate students and industrial researchers in the field of bio-based materials.* First book describing the utilization of crops to make high performance plastics, adhesives, and composites* Interdisciplinary approach to the subject, integrating genetic engineering, plant science, food science, chemistry, physics, nano-technology, and composite manufacturing.* Explains how to make green materials at low cost from soyoil, proteins, starch, natural fibers, recycled newspapers, chicken feathers and waste agricultural by-products.

The growing need to find a sustainable, environmentally-friendly replacement for petroleum-based materials is fuelling the development of bio-based polymers from renewable resources. Amongst the most promising of these are vegetable oil-based polymeric materials. Vegetable oil-based polymers provides a comprehensive review of the research in this important field.After an introduction to classification and polymerization, Vegetable oil-based polymers goes on to review the factors involved in polymer biodegradation. The extraction, purification and application of vegetable oils are then explored, along with vegetable oil-based polyesters and poly(ester amide)s, polyurethanes and epoxies. The book then reviews polyamides, polyolefins and vegetable oil-based hyperbranched polymers. It concludes with an analysis of vegetable oil-based polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites.Vegetable oil-based polymers is an indispensable guide for all those involved in the research and development of biopolymers as well as the wide range of industries looking for more sustainable polymer materials. - Provides a comprehensive review of recent research in the area of vegetable oil-based polymeric materials - Discusses vegetable oils and their derivatives, biodegradable polymers and the fundamentals of polymers - Explores the extraction, purification and application of vegetable oils, along with vegetable oil-based polyesters and poly(ester amide)s, polyurethanes and epoxies

Since synthetic plastics derived from fossil resources are mostly non-biodegradable, many academic and industrial researchers have shifted their attention toward bio-based materials, which are more eco-friendly. Bio-Based Composites for High-Performance Materials: From Strategy to Industrial Application provides an overview of the state-of-art in bio-based composites. The book integrates knowledge from various disciplines including plant science, materials science, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology. It discusses the raw materials used in bio-based composites, basic design principles, properties, applications, and life cycle assessments. The book also presents a strategic and policy-oriented view of these composites and considers the costs of retrofitting existing chemical production plants for bio-based composite manufacture. It is a definitive resource on bio-composites for academics, regulatory agencies, research and development communities, and industries worldwide.

Explore the world of biocomposites with this one-stop resource edited by four international leaders in the field Bio-based Composites: Characterization, Properties, and Applications delivers a comprehensive treatment of all known characterization methods, properties, and industry applications of bio-based composites materials. This unique, one-stop resource covers all major developments in the field from the last decade of research into this environmentally beneficial area. The internationally recognized editors have selected resources that represent advances in the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and water sorption properties of bio-based composites, and cover new areas of research in physico-chemical analysis, flame retardancy, failure mechanisms, lifecycle assessment, and modeling of bio-based composites. The low weight, low cost, excellent thermal recyclability, and biodegradability of bio-based composites make them ideal candidates to replace engineered plastic products derived from fossil fuel. This book provides its readers with the knowledge they’ll require to understand a new class of materials increasingly being used in the automotive and packaging industries, aerospace, the military, and construction. It also includes: An extended discussion of the environmental impact of bio-based composites using a lice cycle methodology A review of forecasts of natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites and its degradability concerns An analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a bio-based composite with sisal powder A comprehensive treatment of the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and dielectric properties of bio-based composites A review of processing methods for the manufacture of bio-based composites Perfect for materials scientists in private industry, government laboratories, or engaged in academic research, Bio-Based Composites will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial and manufacturing engineers who seek a better understanding of the beneficial industrial applications of biocomposites in industries ranging from automobiles to packaging.

The growing interest in replacing petroleum-based products by inexpensive, renewable, natural materials will have a significant impact on sustainability, environment, and the polymer industry. This book provides scientists a useful framework to help take advantage of the latest research conducted in this rapidly advancing field enabling them to develop and commercialize their own products quickly and more successfully.

Explore the world of biocomposites with this one-stop resource edited by four international leaders in the field Biobased Composites: Processing, Characterization, Properties, and Applications delivers a comprehensive treatment of all known characterization methods, properties, and industry applications of biobased composites materials. This unique, one-stop resource covers all major developments in the field from the last decade of research into this environmentally beneficial area. The internationally recognized editors have selected resources that represent advances in the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and water sorption properties of biobased composites, and cover new areas of research in physico-chemical analysis, flame retardancy, failure mechanisms, lifecycle assessment, and modeling of biobased composites. The low weight, low cost, excellent thermal recyclability, and biodegradability of biobased composites make them ideal candidates to replace engineered plastic products derived from fossil fuel. This book provides its readers with the knowledge they'll require to understand a new class of materials increasingly being used in the automotive and packaging industries, aerospace, the military, and construction. It also includes: An extended discussion of the environmental impact of biobased composites using a life cycle methodology A review of forecasts of natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites and its degradability concerns An analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a biobased composite with sisal powder A comprehensive treatment of the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and dielectric properties of biobased composites A review of processing methods for the manufacture of biobased composites Perfect for materials scientists in private industry, government laboratories, or engaged in academic research, Biobased Composites will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial and manufacturing engineers who seek a better understanding of the beneficial industrial applications of biocomposites in industries ranging from automobiles to packaging.

State-of-the-art overview on bioepoxy polymers as well as their blends and composites -- covering all aspects from fundamentals to applications! Bioepoxy polymers is an emerging area and have attracted more and more attention due to their biodegradability and good thermo-mechanical performance. In recent years, research progress has been made in synthesis, processing, characterization, and applications of bioepoxy blends and composites. Bioepoxy polymers are very promising candidates to replace the traditional thermosetting nonbiodegradable polymers. Bio-Based Epoxy Polymers, Blends and Composites summaries recent research progress on bioepoxy polymers as well as their blends and composites. It covers aspects from synthesis, processing, various characterization techniques to broad spectrum of applications. It provides a correlation of physical properties with macro, micro and nanostructures of the materials. Moreover, research trends, future directions, and opportunities are also discussed. Attracts attention: Bioepoxy polymers are environmentally friendly and considered as a promising candidate to replace the traditional thermosetting nonbiodegradable polymers Highly application-oriented: Bioepoxy polymers can be used in a broad range of applications such as polymer foams, construction, aerospace, automobiles, self-healing systems One-stop reference: Covers all aspects of bioepoxy polymer, their blends and composites, such as synthesis, properties, processing, characterization and applications Broad audience: Attracts attention from both academia and industry

Biocomposites – Bio-based Fibres and Polymers from Renewable Resources: Processing, Performance, Durability and Applications provides a systematic and comprehensive review of recent developments in this important area of research. Chapters discuss novel techniques for processing and the characterization of biocomposites derived from renewable resources, focusing on durability, strength prediction, aging methods and performance evaluation. Future trends, directions and opportunities are also addressed. Readers will find an up-to-date summary of recent research findings that have been conducted on biocomposites, making this an essential reference resource for academic and industrial researchers and anyone working in the development of innovative materials from renewable resources. - Provides wide coverage of processing methods, mechanical performance and industrial applications - Emphasizes durability assessment of natural fiber composites in different environments