This book presents the latest developments in the field of vegetable oil -based composites. It focuses on different vegetable oils such as castor, linseed, corn, soybean, olive, palm, and canola oils;, and fillers from inorganic materials and agricultural residues used in the preparation of vegetable oil -based composites. There are several advantages to vegetable oil-based polymer composites, due to their universal availability, inherent biodegradability, low price, and superb environmental credentials (i.e., low eco-toxicity and low toxicity towards humans). This book will be of is of interest to researchers working in the field of bio-based composite materials for the development of green and sustainable materials.

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

The increasing demand for environmentally friendly materials and the need for cheaper fibres points the search in the direction of natural products such as bark, leaves, scales or shells. The aim of this book is to provide a forum to review the recent advances in the area of plant and animal-based composites and identify possible trends for further developments.

Polymer-based fibre-reinforced composites FRC's have now come out as a major class of structural materials being used or regarded as substituent's for metals in several critical components in space, automotive and other industries (marine, and sports goods) owing to their low density, strength-weight ratio, and fatigue strength. FRC's have several commercial as well as industrial applications ranging from aircraft, space, automotive, sporting goods, marine, and infrastructure. The above-mentioned applications of FRC's clearly reveal that FRC's have the potential to be used in a broad range of different engineering fields with the added advantages of low density, and resistance to corrosion compared to conventional metallic and ceramic composites. However, for scientists/researchers/R&D's to fabricate FRC's with such potential there should be careful and precise design followed by suitable process development based on properties like mechanical, physical, and thermal that are unique to each application. Hence the last few decades have witnessed considerable research on fibre reinforced composites. Fibre Reinforced Composites: Constituents, Compatibility, Perspectives and Applications presents a widespread all-inclusive review on fibre-reinforced composites ranging from the different types of processing techniques to chemical modification of the fibre surface to enhance the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and fibre and the structure-property relationship. It illustrates how high value composites can be produced by efficient and sustainable processing methods by selecting different constituents [fibres and resins]. Researchers in academia working in composites and accompanying areas [materials characterisation] and industrial manufacturers who need information on composite constituents and how they relate to each other for a certain application will find the book extremely useful when they need to make decisions about materials selection for their products. - Focuses on the different types of FRC's that are currently available (e.g. from polymeric matrices to metallic and ceramic matrices, from carbon fibre to different types of natural fibres and from short to long fibre reinforced), their processing techniques, characterization of different properties, and how to improve the interfacial adhesion between an incompatible fibre and matrix and their applications - Looks at crisis areas such as how to incorporate incompatible fibres and matrices together (e.g. Non-polar polypropylene matrix is not compatible with that of polar natural fibres and hence suitable surface modifications are required to make them compatible with each other) along with low cost processing methods, low density and high strength - Uncovers clarifications to both elementary and practical problems related to the fabrication of FRCs - Schematic representations depicting the interaction between different fibre types and matrices will be provided in some chapters

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

This unique multidisciplinary 8-volume set focuses on the emerging issues concerning synthesis, characterization, design, manufacturing and various other aspects of composite materials from renewable materials and provides a shared platform for both researcher and industry. The Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials comprises a set of 8 individual volumes that brings an interdisciplinary perspective to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between the synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications and performance of these advanced materials. The Handbook comprises 169 chapters from world renowned experts covering a multitude of natural polymers/ reinforcement/ fillers and biodegradable materials. Volume 6 is solely focused on the "Polymeric Composites". Some of the important topics include but not limited to: Keratin as renewable material for developing polymer composites; natural and synthetic matrices; hydrogels in tissue engineering; smart hydrogels: application in bioethanol production; principle renewable biopolymers; application of hydrogel biocomposites for multiple drug delivery; nontoxic holographic materials; bioplasticizer-epoxidized vegetable oils-based poly (lactic acid) blends and nanocomposites; preparation, characterization and adsorption properties of poly (DMAEA) – cross-linked starch gel copolymer in wastewater treatments; study of chitosan cross-linking hydrogels for absorption of antifungal drugs using molecular modelling; pharmaceutical delivery systems composed of chitosan; eco-friendly polymers for food packaging; influence of surface modification on the thermal stability and percentage of crystallinity of natural abaca fiber; influence of the use of natural fibers in composite materials assessed on a life cycle perspective; plant polysaccharides-blended ionotropically-gelled alginate multiple-unit systems for sustained drug release; vegetable oil based polymer composites; applications of chitosan derivatives in wastewater treatment; novel lignin-based materials as a products for various applications; biopolymers from renewable resources and thermoplastic starch matrix as polymer units of multi-component polymer systems for advanced applications; chitosan composites: preparation and applications in removing water pollutants and recent advancements in biopolymer composites for addressing environmental issues.

Vegetable Oil Based Polymers and Their Surface Applications presents detailed coverage of principles, preparation methods and novel surface uses of vegetable oil based polymers. This comprehensive, state-of-the-art book follows the journey of vegetable oils from seeds to surfaces in a range of advanced applications. Opening chapters discuss theory, principles and characterization techniques while other sections present concepts on the preparation of different polymer types based on vegetable oil. The final section of the book provides extensive coverage of applications, enabling the preparation of vegetable oil based polymers for a range of products and industries. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and advanced students in polymer chemistry, surfaces and coatings, natural polymers, materials chemistry, chemical engineering and plastics engineering. In an industrial setting, this book supports R&D professionals, scientists, and engineers interested in developing innovative biobased materials for a range of applications, including automotive and aerospace, packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine and consumer goods. - Provides in-depth information on the preparation of vegetable oil-based epoxies, alkyds, polyesteramides, polyetheramides and polyurethanes - Explores cutting-edge surface applications of vegetable oil-based polymers in areas such as coatings, packaging, cosmetics and wound dressings - Includes other key considerations, including cost benefit analysis, lifecycle assessment and future developments

Global awareness of environmental issues has resulted in the emergence of economically and environmentally friendly bio-based materials free from the traditional side effects of synthetics. This book delivers an overview of the advancements made in the development of biorenewable resources-based materials, including processing methods and potential applications in bio-based green composites. Covering various kinds of cellulosic biofibers, the text provides information on more eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers and discusses the present state and growing utility of green materials from natural resources.