Recent Advances and Applications of Thermoset Resins, Second Edition provides a reference source for anyone interested in understanding the chemistry, processing, properties, composites and applications of thermoset resins. Sections cover the chemistry of thermoset resins and recent advances in various aspects, including toughening, micro-reinforcement, nano-reinforcement, simultaneous nano-reinforcement and toughening. The book provides detailed information on synthesis, characterization and processing techniques. A critical review of the latest advances in thermoset-based composites and nanocomposites is also presented, along with future directions of research in various areas of thermoset resins. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in polymer science, plastics engineering, adhesives and coatings, composites, and materials engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers and manufacturers with an interest in thermoset resins and materials for advanced applications. - Offers comprehensive information on the chemistry, processing, properties and applications of thermoset resins - Presents and reviews cutting-edge developments in the field, including sections on composites, nanocomposites, bio-based resins and 3D printing - Includes the latest methods for analysis, characterization, testing and evaluation of thermoset materials

The book provides accessible and comprehensive information on polymer matrix composites. It presents the basic concept of design of composite materials. It includes chapters on materials testing and characterization, such as mechanical testing and thermal analysis, and lifetime prediction. It discusses both structural and functional applications. Offers comprehensive information on processing, properties and applications polymer matrix composites Presents and reviews the recent development in the field e.g. damage tolerant composites, biocomposites, additive manufacturing Includes latest techniques of performance evaluation and life time assessment of composite materials

Dynamic Mechanical and Creep-Recovery Behaviour of Polymer-Based Composites: Mechanical and Mathematical Modeling covers mathematical modelling, dynamic mechanical analysis, and the ways in which various factors impact the creep-recovery behaviour of polymer composites. The effects of polymer molecular weight, plasticizers, cross-linking agents, and chemical treatment of filler material are addressed and information on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer-based composites is also covered, including their various applications and the advantages and disadvantages of their use in different settings. The final 2 chapters of the book cover mathematical modeling of creep-recovery behavior for polymer composites and software-based simulation of creep-recovery in polymer composites, respectively. Dynamic Mechanical and Creep-Recovery Behaviour of Polymer-Based Composites: Mechanical and Mathematical Modeling covers mathematical modelling, dynamic mechanical analysis, and the ways in which various factors impact the creep-recovery behaviour of polymer composites. The effects of polymer molecular weight, plasticizers, cross-linking agents, and chemical treatment of filler material are addressed and information on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer-based composites is also covered, including their various applications and the advantages and disadvantages of their use in different settings. The final 2 chapters of the book cover mathematical modeling of creep-recovery behavior for polymer composites and software-based simulation of creep-recovery in polymer composites, respectively. - Analyzes the dynamic mechanical and creep-recovery behaviors of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer composites in a variety of applications - Features diverse mechanical/mathematical models utilized to fit data collected from creep-recovery studies - Covers various factors that influence dynamic mechanical properties - Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using these materials in different settings

This book covers the challenges and opportunities presented by plastics in the modern era and sheds light on the complex interplay of technology, environment, and socio-economic dynamics. With a thorough exploration of the history, uses, and potential of plastics, the book reviews the impact of plastics beyond single-use plastics, and critiques multiple long-term plastic applications that are significant for food security, water resource management, ecological conservation/restoration, and sustainable urbanization. It also explores frameworks for achieving a more sustainable plastic economy aligned with sustainable development goals. This book comprises 13 chapters, commencing with a critical assessment of plastics in the context of sustainable development and global society. It proceeds with a historical overview of plastics' evolution, showcasing pivotal milestones and innovations in modern industry and daily life. Subsequent chapters delve into diverse topics: the intricate relationships between plastics, food security, and sustainable urbanization; plastics' impact on water safety, management, distribution, and conservation; their potential as an alternative energy source; and their innovative applications in sustainable transportation and energy generation. Emphasis is placed on plastics' role in waste reduction and recycling, as well as the latest sustainable alternatives like biodegradable and recyclable materials. In the book's final sections, readers will learn about green buildings and climate-resilient cities constructed using innovative plastic materials, and plastics' significance in space exploration. The book concludes with a forward-looking perspective on plastics' future, accompanied by recommendations for a more sustainable coexistence between society and these versatile materials. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, and concerned citizens seeking to navigate the intricate landscape of plastics, their environmental implications, and their potential for sustainable development.

This dissertation thesis focuses on applying the powder bed fusion with laser beam (PBF-LB) technology on hot work steel. It aims at achieving comparable properties with the products from the traditional manufacturing route. Using the reference powder H13, the influence of various factors, i.e., laser settings (such as laser power and scan speed) and machine settings (such as preheating) on the melting pool morphology and printing defects, is intensively investigated to check the feasibility of printing H13 components through PBF-LB technology and finally optimize the fabrication parameters for high-quality printing in lab-scale size. Furthermore, the consecutive research on the impact of the post-treatment, machine sensitivity, and powder condition provides a basis for scaling up the process and offers industrially usable products with adequate properties. Furthermore, after assessing the defects during the investigation, the classification of the defects deepens the understanding of the material-laser interaction. The mechanism for stress-lead cracks can guide the development of new types of material applied to the PBF-LB process, especially carbon-bearing steel. Finally, based on the mechanism of defect generation, the principle of the real-time defect-based monitoring system is proposed. After recognizing defects and assembling discrete points, the digital twin is established from various monitoring signals, which can be applied for on-time quality assurance without destructive testing.

Syntactic foams are particulate polymer matrix composite materials consisting of hollow microspheres dispersed in a matrix. The matrix used in syntactic foams can be polymer, metal, or ceramic. Polymer matrices, particularly the thermosetting polymers, have been the most widely accepted matrices in syntactic foams. From the processing and application point of view, thermosetting syntactic foams have many advantages compared to thermoplastic ones. This chapter deals with syntactic foams based on various thermosetting resins and the chemistry of the resin systems. The resin systems are mainly phenolic, epoxy, cyanate ester, siloxane, polybenzoxazine, bismaleimide, and their blends. Apart from a brief chemistry of the parent resin systems, their syntactic foams have been described in detail. The aspects discussed are their processing, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties, applications, and degradation. Their properties can be engineered by a choice of matrix, microcell structure and its concentration, reinforcement, toughners, etc. While the thermal and thermo-physical characteristics are dictated by resin, mechanical and fracture characteristics are decided by both components. While epoxy, cyanate ester, and other such compounds provide structural syntactic foams, phenolics and their new generation versions provide thermo-structural materials. Syntactic foam ablators have made possible interplanetary space missions. Novel engineering concepts like lightweight self-healing give scope for extended applications of these systems. The recent advances in these areas are also discussed. These special materials with high specific strength are slated to replace conventional structural and thermo-structural materials in related engineering applications ranging from domestic to aerospace and defense.

There have been many new developments since the first edition of this book was published back in 2015. These can be summarized as follows: integration of multiple properties into self-healing polymer materials, such as the shape memory effect and flame retardancy; beyond self-healing and the development of recyclable thermoset polymers; and the application of self-healing polymers in both 3D and 4D printing. Recent Advances in Smart Self-healing Polymers and Composites, Second Edition provides a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating field of smart self-healing polymers and composites. All chapters are brought fully-up-to-date with the addition of six brand new contributions on the characterization of self-healing polymers, light-triggered self-healing, additive manufacturing, multifunctional thermoset polymers with self-healing ability, and recyclable thermoset polymers and 4D printing. It is written for a large readership including not only R&D researchers from diverse backgrounds such as chemistry, materials science, aerospace, physics, and biological science, but also for graduate student working on self-healing technologies as well as their newly developed applications. - Features new chapters on characterization of self-healing polymers, light-triggered self-healing, additive manufacturing, multifunctional thermoset polymers with self-healing ability, recyclable thermoset polymers and 4D printing - All chapters have been significantly updated from the previous edition - Provides a grounding in all key areas of research to bring people up to speed with the latest developments

This book comprises select proceedings of the International Conference on Latest Innovations in Materials Engineering and Technology (ICLIET 2018). The book focuses on diverse engineering materials, their design and applications. The materials in discussion include those related to coatings, polymers, composites, tribology, acoustic insulators, lubricants, and cryogenics. The book also highlights emerging nano and micro materials, bio engineering materials, as well as new energy materials for solar cells and photovoltaic cells. This book will serve as an useful reference for students, researchers, and professionals working in the field of materials science and engineering.

This book is intended to give readers an appreciation of what the future holds, as cutting-edge technologies in synthetic biology and pathway engineering and advanced bioprocessing development pave the way for providing goods and services to benefit humankind that are based on the synergy of two biomasses - i.e. of what a renewable feedstock could yield and an infinite microbial biomass could provide in terms of enzymes and biocatalysts. This 13-chapter book, with an introductory treatise on the guiding principles of green chemistry and engineering metrics, brings together a broad range of research and innovation agendas and perspectives from industries, academia and government laboratories using renewable feedstocks that include macroalgae and lignins. In addition, social-economic aspects and the pillars of competitiveness in regional cluster development are explored as we transition from fossil-fuel-based economies to a circular bioeconomy, with chemurgy and green chemistry being implicit to the innovation movement. The bulk of the book covers specific applications including the bioproduction of amino sugars, dicarboxylic acids, omega-3 fatty acids, starch and fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic materials, and phenolics as building blocks for polymer synthesis. Enzymatic systems for accessing chiral and special-purpose chemicals, as well as the development of specialized enzymes from macroalgae for biofuel and biochemical production are also addressed. Research gaps, hurdles to overcome in various biological processes, and present achievements in the production of biofuels and biochemicals from lignocellulosic materials are discussed. Going beyond the conventional expectation of discussing the production of drop-in chemicals, the book instead emphasizes how the potential of new chemicals and materials can be harnessed through innovative thinking and research. As such, it provides an invaluable reference source for researchers and graduate students interested in Chemurgy and Green Chemistry, as well as for practitioners in the field of industrial biotechnology and biobased industry. Peter C.K. Lau is a Distinguished Professor at Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and an Adjunct Professor at the Departments of Chemistry and Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Canada.

High-performance polymer matrix composites, particularly those for aerospace applications, are designed to withstand high thermal and aerodynamic stresses. This calls for matrix resins with superior thermal and thermo-mechanical properties. Among the diverse thermoset resins, bismaleimide resins stand out as a class of high-performance, addition-curable polyimide resins with excellent thermal, physical, and thermo-mechanical properties. However, their inherent limitations (including brittleness and poor processability) are impediments for their wide acceptability, thus necessitating their structural modification, co-reaction, or blending with suitable compounds to obviate these shortcomings. The widely accepted strategy for structural modification of BMI for conferring low temperature cure characteristics and enhanced toughness is to react it with allyl functional compounds. The allyl compounds react with maleimide groups via the Alder-ene reaction. This chapter deals with recent advances in this domain. It critically compiles the recent literature on the development of Alder-ene-type BMI polymers based on the reaction of various maleimides with allylated compounds. The various systems, their synthesis strategies, curing, and related properties are discussed. Intersystem comparisons have also been made. Where relevant, the chapter also discusses the cure characteristics of Alder-ene polymerization and further modifications of these resins with high-performance thermosets and thermoplastics. Recent studies on nano-modification of the Alder-ene polymer network have also been reviewed. It is concluded that this area is fast developing, and is an active area of research with the potential for producing advanced engineering plastics for applications ranging from adhesives to high-temperature and high-performance structural composites in the civil, defense, and aerospace industries.