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

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.

Automotive manufacturers are required to decrease CO2 emissions and increase fuel economy while assuring driver comfort and safety. In recent years, there has been rapid development in the application of lightweight and sustainable materials in the automotive industry to help meet these criteria. This book provides critical reviews and the latest research results of various lightweight and sustainable materials in automotive applications. It discusses current applications and future trends of lightweight materials in the automotive area. While there are a few books published mainly focusing on automotive applications of metallic lightweight materials, to date there is no available book focusing on a broad spectrum of lightweight materials, including metal, plastic, composites, bio-fiber, bio-polymer, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nanomaterials, rubber materials, and foaming materials, as this work does. The book also includes case studies of commercial lightweight automotive parts from sustainable lightweight materials, providing an invaluable resource to those involved in this in-demand research and commercialization area.

Lightweight and Sustainable Composites Materials: Preparation, Properties and Applications focuses on the synthesis, processing and characterization of these materials, their environmental sustainability features, compatibility with composites and their broad range of commercial and industrial application fields. The combination of being both lightweight and sustainable results in unique properties that make them suitable for a broad range of advanced commercial engineering applications. The book will be a valuable reference resource for academic and industrial researchers and material scientists and engineers working in the development of lightweight and sustainable composite materials. As recent studies on these materials reveal that they process excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties as well as improving environmental sustainability, this book is a welcomed resource. - Discusses recycling and lifecycle assessment - Covers different types of lightweight materials, including polymers, metals and natural fibers - Covers synthesis and characterization techniques - Links production, properties and applications with sustainability behavior - Considers future trends and challenges for lightweight and sustainable composite materials

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.

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

This book presents the key concepts and methods involved in the development of a variety of materials for lightweight constructions, including metals, alloys, polymers and composites. It provides case studies and examples to explain strategies adapted for specific applications of the materials and covers traditional to advanced manufacturing concepts of lightweight materials, including 3D printing. It also illustrates the fundamentals and usability of biodegradable materials for achieving a greener environment, as well as possibilities of green manufacturing. Covers the fundamentals of a range of materials used for lightweight constructions Discusses fabrication and testing of materials Addresses relevant concepts of 3D printing and biodegradable materials Explores analysis of the failure mechanism of materials used in various applications Identifies the applicability of materials to a variety of situations Materials for Lightweight Constructions will suit researchers and graduate students in materials science, mechanical engineering, construction and composites.

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.

Sustainable aviation is a long-term strategy to provide innovative solutions to the industry’s environmental challenges. The International Symposium on Sustainable Aviation is a multi-disciplinary symposium that presents research on current sustainability-based issues and future trends in aviation from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. The conference provides a platform offering insights on a broad range of current issues in aviation, such as aviation and environment, commercial air transport, regulations and policy, sustainable aerospace vehicles and technologies, and environmental modeling and measurements. The ISSA symposium allows researchers, scientists, engineers, practitioners, policymakers, and students to exchange information, present new technologies and developments, and discuss future direction, strategies, and priorities in sustainable aviation topics.