Green Composites for Automotive Applications presents cutting-edge, comprehensive reviews on the industrial applications of green composites. The book provides an elaborative assessment of both academic and industrial research on eco-design, durability issues, environmental performance, and future trends. Particular emphasis is placed on the processing and characterization of green composites, specific types of materials, such as thermoset and thermoplastic, nanocomposites, sandwich, and polymer biofoams. Additional sections cover lifecycle and risk analysis. As such, this book is an essential reference resource for R&D specialists working in materials science, automotive, chemical, and environmental engineering, as well as R&D managers in industry. - Contains contributions from leading experts in the field - Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis - Deals with most important automotive aspects - Provides a special section dedicated to lifecycle assessment

This book presents important developments in green chemistry, with a particular focus on composite materials chemistry. In recent years, natural polymers have generated much interest due to their unique morphology and physical properties. The book gives an introductory overview of green composites, and discusses their emerging interdisciplinary applications in various contemporary fields. The chapters, written by leading experts from industry and academia, cover different aspects of biodegradable green composites and natural polymers including their processing, manufacturing, properties, and applications. This book will be a valuable reference for beginners, researchers as well as industry professionals interested in biodegradable composites.

There is an increasing movement of scientists and engineers who are dedicated to minimising the environmental impact of polymer composite production. Life cycle assessment is of paramount importance at every stage of a product's life, from initial synthesis through to final disposal and a sustainable society needs environmentally safe materials and processing methods. With an internationally recognised team of contributors, Green Composites examines fibre reinforced polymer composite production and explains how environmental footprints can be diminished at every stage of the life cycle.The introductory chapters look at why we should consider green composites, their design and life cycle assessment. The properties of natural fibre sources such as cellulose and wood are then discussed. Chapter 6 examines recyclable synthetic fibre-thermoplastic composites as an alternative solution and polymers derived from natural sources are covered in Chapter 7. The factors that influence the properties of these natural composites and natural fibre thermoplastic composites are detailed in Chapters 8 and 9. The final four chapters consider clean processing, applications, recycling, degradation and reprocessing.Green composites is an essential guide for agricultural crop producers, government agricultural departments, automotive companies, composite producers and material scientists all dedicated to the promotion and practice of eco-friendly materials and production methods. - Reviews fibre reinforced polymer composite production - Explains how environmental footprints can be diminished at every stage of the life-cycle

Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing. The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends. This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering. Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics

This book comprehensively addresses surface modification of natural fibers to make them more effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly. Topics include the elucidation of important aspects surrounding chemical and green approaches for the surface modification of natural fibers, the use of recycled waste, properties of biodegradable polyesters, methods such as electrospinning, and applications of hybrid composite materials.

Biocomposite and Synthetic Composites for Automotive Applications provides a detailed review of advanced macro and nanocomposite materials and structures, and discusses their use in the transport industry, specifically for automotive applications. This book covers materials selection, properties and performance, design solutions, and manufacturing techniques. A broad range of different material classes are reviewed with emphasis on advanced materials and new research pathways where composites can be derived from agricultural waste in the future, as well as the development and performance of hybrid composites. The book is an essential reference resource for those researching materials development and industrial design engineers who need a detailed understanding of materials usage in transport structures. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis of composite products in automotive applications is also discussed, and the effect of different fiber orientation on crash performance. Synthetic/natural fiber composites for aircraft engine fire-designated zones are linked to automotive applications. Additional chapters include the application and use of magnesium composites compared to biocomposites in the automotive industry; autonomous inspection and repair of aircraft composite structures via vortex robot technology and its application in automotive applications; composites in a three-wheeler (tuk tuk); and thermal properties of composites in automotive applications. - Covers advanced macro and nanocomposites used in automotive structures - Emphasizes materials selection, properties and performance, design solutions, and manufacturing techniques - Features case studies of successful applications of biocomposites in automotive structures

The automotive industry faces many challenges, including increased global competition, the need for higher-performance vehicles, a reduction in costs and tighter environmental and safety requirements. The materials used in automotive engineering play key roles in overcoming these issues: ultimately lighter materials mean lighter vehicles and lower emissions. Composites are being used increasingly in the automotive industry due to their strength, quality and light weight. Advanced Composite Materials for Automotive Applications: Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness provides a comprehensive explanation of how advanced composite materials, including FRPs, reinforced thermoplastics, carbon-based composites and many others, are designed, processed and utilized in vehicles. It includes technical explanations of composite materials in vehicle design and analysis and covers all phases of composite design, modelling, testing and failure analysis. It also sheds light on the performance of existing materials including carbon composites and future developments in automotive material technology which work towards reducing the weight of the vehicle structure. Key features: Chapters written by world-renowned authors and experts in their own fields Includes detailed case studies and examples covering all aspects of composite materials and their application in the automotive industries Unique topic integration between the impact, crash, failure, damage, analysis and modelling of composites Presents the state of the art in composite materials and their application in the automotive industry Integrates theory and practice in the fields of composite materials and automotive engineering Considers energy efficiency and environmental implications Advanced Composite Materials for Automotive Applications: Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness is a comprehensive reference for those working with composite materials in both academia and industry, and is also a useful source of information for those considering using composites in automotive applications in the future.

This textbook is a step-by-step introduction to nanocomposite materials using methods familiar to materials science students and engineers. It covers all nanoparticle types, including flakes, nanotubes, and nanoparticulates. It provides the basics for composites with reinforcements ranging from microns to nanometers.

Natural/Biofiber composites are emerging as a viable alternative to glass fiber composites, particularly in automotive, packaging, building, and consumer product industries, and becoming one of the fastest growing additives for thermoplastics. Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites provides a clear understanding of the present state

Fiber-reinforced composites are exceptionally versatile materials whose properties can be tuned to exhibit a variety of favorable properties such as high tensile strength and resistance against wear or chemical and thermal influences. Consequently, these materials are widely used in various industrial fields such as the aircraft, marine, and automobile industry. After an overview of the general structures and properties of hybrid fiber composites, the book focuses on the manufacturing and processing of these materials and their mechanical performance, including the elucidation of failure mechanisms. A comprehensive chapter on the modeling of hybrid fiber composites from micromechanical properties to macro-scale material behavior is followed by a review of applications of these materials in structural engineering, packaging, and the automotive and aerospace industries.