Comprehensive introduction to composites from natural and recycled biomaterialsCovers fabrication, mechanical analysis and modeling of green compositesNew ideas for cost-effective alternative matrices, fibers and additivesApplications to construction, automotive, and civil engineering An important contribution to the evolution of composites technology, this book is a systematic investigation of how natural biomaterials are used to create cost-effective and environmentally sound composites for commercial use. The book shows how a wide range of plant- and animal-based materials are integrated into the design and fabrication of matrices and reinforcements for polymeric and other types of composites. In addition, a focus is placed on modeling and mechanical analyses of biobased composites, providing valuable data on their performance. Sustainable composites are shown to be viable alternatives for manufactured components in automotive, civil engineering and construction applications.

Composites are used in a wide range of applications, from electronics to the aeronautical industry. The excellent mechanical properties and low-specific weight of composites are the basis of many structural applications. Despite the progress achieved, there are significant obstacles to the generalisation of structural applications of composites, mainly due to their high cost and complex mechanical behaviour. In fact, there is currently insufficient knowledge regarding the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of composites made from renewable and sustainable materials. This book focuses on composites from natural and renewable resources, including the enhancement of their properties with additives such as biodegradable nanomaterials, their mechanical characterisation, tailoring of properties for specific applications and their processing.

Carbon and glass fibre reinforced composite materials have been used for many years in several different types of applications. However, these conventional composites are derived from non-renewable reinforcements and they pose a significant threat to the environment. Government legislation and consumer behaviour have recently forced many industries to adapt sustainable composites. Industries such as automotive, marine and aerospace are now seeking sustainable lightweight composites with the aim to reduce the overall weight of the components with enhanced materials and design aspects. Therefore, there is high demand on research for the development of sustainable lightweight composites. This book presents a comprehensive review of lightweight composites with the central aim to increase their use in key industrial sectors such as automotive, marine and aerospace. There is no such book currently available that is dedicated to sustainable lightweight applications covering important topics such as key drivers for lightweight composites, mechanical properties, damage characterisation, durability and environmental aspects. Key topics that are addressed include: - The roles of reinforcements and matrices in composite materials - Sustainable natural fibre reinforcements and their morphological structures - Lightweight applications and properties requirements - Design, manufacturing processes and their effects on properties - Testing and damage characterisation of composite materials - Sustainable composites and techniques for property enhancement - Future trends and challenges for sustainable composites in lightweight applications It will be a valuable reference resource for those working in material Science, polymer science, materials engineering, and industries involved in the manufacture of automotive and aerospace components from lightweight composite materials. - Provides a comprehensive review of sustainable lightweight composites looking at key industrial applications such as automotive, marine, and aerospace and construction - Important relationships between structure and properties are analysed in detail - Enhancement of properties through hybrid systems, are also explored with emphasis on design, materials selection and manufacturing techniques

Sustainable Composites for Aerospace Applications presents innovative advances in the fabrication, characterization and applications of LDH polymer nanocomposites. It covers fundamental structural and chemical knowledge and explores various properties and characterization techniques, including microscopic, spectroscopic and mechanical behaviors. Users will find a strong focus on the potential applications of LDH polymer nanocomposites, such as in energy, electronics, electromagnetic shielding, biomedical, agricultural, food packaging and water purification functions. This book provides comprehensive coverage of cutting-edge research in the field of LDH polymer nanocomposites and future applications, and is an essential read for all academics, researchers, engineers and students working in this area. - Presents fundamental knowledge of LDH polymer nanocomposites, including chemical composition, structural features and fabrication techniques - Provides an analytical overview of the different types of characterization techniques and technologies - Contains extensive reviews on cutting-edge research for future applications in a variety of industries

Sustainable Polylactide-Based Composites integrates fundamental knowledge pertaining to manufacturing and characterization of polymer composites with a thorough and critical overview of the state-of-the-art in PLA-based composites, including significant past and recent advances. The book begins with insights into the basics of polymer composites, with special reference to sustainable composites, as well as fundamental knowledge related to PLA. This is followed by chapters on manufacturing methods, morphological characterization techniques, and the mechanical models used for polymer composites. A comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in PLA-based sustainable composites of all extensively used fillers is then presented. After providing fundamental knowledge related to PLA and polymer composites, including structure-property-processing relationship, the book focuses on recent research efforts and key research challenges in the development of PLA-based composites, as well as lifecycle assessment and recycling. - Presents fundamentals, processing techniques, characterization methods, and modeling - Offers comprehensive coverage of a broad range of polylactide composites - Addresses key issues that could shape future research and industrial application for sustainable future development

Advances in Sustainable Polymer Composites reviews recent scientific findings on the production and use of sustainable polymers and composites as innovative new materials. The book discusses the importance of sustainable polymers in terms of current practices and how to address environmental and economic issues. Attention is focused on the physical, chemical and electrical properties of these composites. The book also looks at the lifecycle of both single and hybrid polymers and nanocomposites, with chapters covering the latest research findings on sustainable polymer composites with various filler loadings and their improvement on compatibility. From the viewpoint of polymer composites, this book covers not only well-known sustainable future trends in sustainable polymers and composites, but also advanced materials produced from micro, nano and pico-scale fillers that achieve better physical and mechanical results. - Features advanced materials produced from micro, nano and pico-scale fillers - Emphasizes the modeling and prediction of thermal, rheological and mechanical behavior - Covers various types of fillers and different reinforcement agents - Focuses on all aspects of fabrication, characterization and applications - Addresses sustainability approaches and solutions

This book focuses on the use of natural fiber composites (NFCs) in the automotive industry. The new race in the automotive industry is no longer speed, but rather low weight and sustainable. Major automakers and component suppliers are now shifting to natural fiber reinforcements for their composite components as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to conventional, synthetic reinforcements. The main object of this book is to bridge the gap between academic literature and actual industry practices, and to provide a comprehensive and integrated review on the use of NFC in the automotive industry from composite fabrication to recycling. The book focuses on the major areas of interest to academic researchers, such as the history of NFC in the automotive industry, specific types of materials used, material qualification programs, major technical challenges facing NFC, major processing techniques and parameters, analysis of major NFC parts used and their performance requirements, sustainability assessments including life cycle assessment and carbon footprint, and future trends.

Tribological performance of sustainable composites depend upon external parameters such as interface and environmental temperature, contact pressure and behavior of contact materials at interface and so forth. This book covers sustainable composites and bio- composites in terms of proper selection of reinforcements, methods to improve the thermal and mechanical properties, techniques for uniform dispersion of the reinforcements and their tribological performance. Also, it details the testing and damage characterization methods of these sustainable composites. Features: 1. Presents fundamental knowledge of sustainable composites, including chemical composition, structural features and fabrication techniques. 2. Provides an analytical overview of the different types of characterization techniques and tribological methods. 3. Provides an extensive review on bio- composite properties and their tribological performance for biomedical application. 4. Contains extensive reviews on cutting- edge research on lightweight materials for future applications in a variety of industries and their tribological performance. 5. Provides the application of sustainable composites in various fields such as aerospace, automobile, medical etc. This book is aimed for Researchers, Professionals and Graduate students of Tribology, Composites, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering.

In today's society researchers are more focused on cleaner materials production for environmental sustainability. This approach aims at reducing waste and the development of materials with enhanced properties and functionality. This book focuses on optimizing manufacturing processes for sustainable composite materials. It discusses optimum utilization of resources by using minimum effort to save cost and energy.

Green Composites: Waste-based Materials for a Sustainable Future, Second Edition presents exciting new developments on waste-based composites. New, additional, or replacement chapters focus on these elements, reflecting on developments over the past ten years. Authors of existing chapters have brought these themes into their work wherever possible, and case study chapters that connect materials engineering to the topic's social context are included in this revised edition. Professor Baillie believes that the new 'green' is the "what and who" composites are being designed for, "what" material needs we have, and "what" access different groups have to the technical knowledge required, etc. Industry is now showing concerns for corporate social responsibility and social impact. Recent conversations with prestigious materials institutions have indicated a growing interest in moving into areas of research that relate their work to beneficial social impacts. The book's example of Waste for Life demonstrates the genre proposed for the case study chapters. Waste for Life adopts scientific knowledge and low-threshold/high-impact technologies. - Provides insights into the changes in the Industry, including a greater understanding of noticing that the bottom line is influenced by poor social relations and negative social impact - Presents tactics any industry should consider to make engineering part of the solution instead of the problem - Includes case study chapters that connect materials engineering in a social context - Covers waste green composites, fueling a new direction of research for many Universities