A comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the major mineral and organic fillers for plastics, their production, structure and properties, as well as their applications in terms of primary and secondary functions. Edited and co-authored by Professor Marino Xanthos with contributions by international experts from industry and academia, this book presents methods of mixing/incorporation technologies, surface treatments and modifications for enhanced functionality, an analysis of parameters affecting filler performance and a presentation of current and emerging applications. Additionally, the novel classification according to modification of specific polymer properties rather than filler chemical composition provides a better understanding of the relationships between processing, structure and properties of products containing functional fillers and the identification of new markets and applications. For engineers, scientists and technologists involved in the important sector of polymer composites.

Functional Fillers: Chemical Composition, Morphology, Performance, Applications, Second Edition covers the structure, physical properties, electrical and magnetic properties, and applications of fillers. The book includes two sections, with the first part covering classic fillers, analyzing the current modifications in relation to composition and morphology, and enabling enhancements in properties and applications. The second part presents the new generation of fillers, which provide designers with exceptional properties not previously available. Applications discussed include lubricants, anti-corrosion, antimicrobial, and more. Renewable fillers and recycling of fillers are covered as well. - Provides up-to-date, applicable information on the use of functional fillers - Focuses on chemical modifications, enhanced density, particle size, mixtures of fillers, special properties, and fillers from renewable sources - Covers both classical and new generation fillers

Mineral additives are widespread in industrial manufacturing processes. So-called mineral fillers are used to extend raw materials and cut costs. Recently minerals and associated inorganics have frequently been used for their functionality and other mineral-specific qualities. The emergence of nanoscale minerals parallels the global pursuit of nanotechnology. The use of these minerals plays an important role in low-cost, high-performance application of nanotechnology. This 21-chapter compilation is for mineral suppliers, industrial users of mineral fillers, and those concerned with new trends in mineral processing and nanotechnology. Contributions by leading international researchers highlight the emerging markets and applications of functional fillers and nanoscale minerals.

Fillers and Reinforcements for Advanced Nanocomposites reviews cutting-edge, state-of-the-art research on the effective use of nanoscaled fillers and reinforcements to enhance the performance of advanced nanocomposites, both in industrial and manufacturing applications. It covers a broad range of topics such as nanocelluloses, nanotubes, nanoplatelets, and nanoparticles, as well as their extensive applications. The chapters provide detailed information on how fillers and reinforcements are used in the fabrication, synthesis and characterization of advanced nanocomposites to achieve extraordinary performance of new materials and significant enhancements in their mechanical, thermal, structural and multi-functional properties. It also highlights new technologies for the fabrication of advanced nanocomposites using innovative electrospinning techniques. - Covers topics such as nanocelluloses, nanotubes, nanoplatelets, and nanoparticles, as well as their extensive applications - Discusses the latest research on the effective use of nanoscaled fillers and reinforcements to enhance the performance of advanced nanocomposites - Explains how fillers and reinforcements are used in the fabrication, synthesis and characterization of advanced nanocomposites

This is an overview of particulate filler production and use. Each filler type has different properties and these in turn are influenced by the particle size, shape and surface chemistry. Filler characteristics are discussed from costs to particle morphology. Practical aspects of filler grading are described and the principal filler types are outlined. Filler surface modification is an important topic. The main types of modifying agent and their uses are described, from fatty acids to functionalised polymers. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.

This second international conference focused on developments in High Performance Fillers from established materials to the latest innovations. There were presentations on many different types of fillers from flash calcined clays (Imerys), diatomaceous earths and perlites (World Minerals), aluminas (Sasol), natural fibres (Queens's University Belfast), titanium oxides (Oxonica), mica (Quartzwerke), wollastonite (RT Vanderbilt), pigments (Eckhart) and glass foam (Trovotech) to nanographite (State University of Michigan), POSS (Hybrid Plastics) and nanocomposites (Prof Camino, Prof Kenig, S Dunger). BASF AG and Electrolux discussed filler interactions with other compounding ingredients, whilst surface modification with silanes was presented by Dow Corning.

Mineral fillers are used in industrial manufacturing processes to extend raw materials and cut costs, and more recently sometimes used for their functionality and other mineral-specific qualities. Mineral additives are widespread in industrial manufacturing processes. Another rapidly emerging technological area is that of nanoscale minerals. This emergence of nanoscale minerals parallels the global pursuit of nanotechnology; the use of nanoscale minerals will undoubtedly play an important role in low-cost, high-performance application of nanotechnology. The Functional Fillers and Nanoscale Minerals Symposium was first introduced at the 2003 SME Annual Meeting. The success of the first symposium led to the second symposium of the same name at the 2006 SME Annual Meeting.

The addition of nanoparticles to polymer composites has led to a new generation of composite materials with enhanced and novel properties. Advances in polymer nanocomposites reviews the main types of polymer nanocomposites and their applications.Part one reviews types of polymer nanocomposites according to fillers. Processing of carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and cellulose nanoparticles as functional fillers and reinforcement are discussed, alongside calcium carbonate and metal-polymer nanocomposites. Part two focuses on types of polymer nanocomposites according to matrix polymer, with polyolefin-based, (PVC)-based, nylon-based, (PET)-based and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based polymer nanocomposites discussed. Soft, gel and biodegradable polymer nanocomposites are also considered. Part three goes on to investigate key applications, including fuel cells, aerospace applications, optical applications, coatings and flame-retardant polymer nanocomposites.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Advances in polymer nanocomposites is an essential guide for professionals and academics involved in all aspects of the design, development and application of polymer nanocomposites. - Reviews the main types of polymer nanocomposites and their applications - Discusses processing of carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and cellulose nanoparticles as functional fillers and reinforcement - Discusses polyolefin-based, (PVC)-based, nylon-based, (PET)-based and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based polymer nanocomposites

Concrete is the second most used building material in the world after water. The problem is that over time the material becomes weaker. As a response, researchers and designers are developing self-sensing concrete which not only increases longevity but also the strength of the material. Self-Sensing Concrete in Smart Structures provides researchers and designers with a guide to the composition, sensing mechanism, measurement, and sensing properties of self-healing concrete along with their structural applications - Provides a systematic discussion of the structure of intrinsic self-sensing concrete - Compositions of intrinsic self-sensing concrete and processing of intrinsic self-sensing concrete - Explains the sensing mechanism, measurement, and sensing properties of intrinsic self-sensing concrete