This book introduces the engineer to fibres and polymer matrices, which are the components of the polymer composites for structural engineering. The authors also provide a simple guide, in tabular form, to the principal fabrication techniques, the basic design formulae, and the methods for structural composites systems and connections.

Offers information on the fundamental principles, processes, methods and procedures related to fibre-reinforced composites. The book presents a comparative view, and provides design properties of polymeric, metal, ceramic and cement matrix composites. It also gives current test methods, joining techniques and design methodologies.

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become an integral part of the construction industry because of their versatility, enhanced durability and resistance to fatigue and corrosion, high strength-to-weight ratio, accelerated construction, and lower maintenance and life-cycle costs. Advanced FRP composite materials are also emerging for a wide range of civil infrastructure applications. These include everything from bridge decks, bridge strengthening and repairs, and seismic retrofit to marine waterfront structures and sustainable, energy-efficient housing. The International Handbook of FRP Composites in Civil Engineering brings together a wealth of information on advances in materials, techniques, practices, nondestructive testing, and structural health monitoring of FRP composites, specifically for civil infrastructure. With a focus on professional applications, the handbook supplies design guidelines and standards of practice from around the world. It also includes helpful design formulas, tables, and charts to provide immediate answers to common questions. Organized into seven parts, the handbook covers: FRP fundamentals, including history, codes and standards, manufacturing, materials, mechanics, and life-cycle costs Bridge deck applications and the critical topic of connection design for FRP structural members External reinforcement for rehabilitation, including the strengthening of reinforced concrete, masonry, wood, and metallic structures FRP composites for the reinforcement of concrete structures, including material characteristics, design procedures, and quality assurance–quality control (QA/QC) issues Hybrid FRP composite systems, with an emphasis on design, construction, QA/QC, and repair Quality control, quality assurance, and evaluation using nondestructive testing, and in-service monitoring using structural health monitoring of FRP composites, including smart composites that can actively sense and respond to the environment and internal states FRP-related books, journals, conference proceedings, organizations, and research sources Comprehensive yet concise, this is an invaluable reference for practicing engineers and construction professionals, as well as researchers and students. It offers ready-to-use information on how FRP composites can be more effectively utilized in new construction, repair and reconstruction, and architectural engineering.

Because the field of plastics is one of the fastest changing areas today, the need arises to offer relevant, comprehensive material on polymers. An established source of information on modern plastics, the Plastics Technology Handbook continues to provide up-to-date coverage on the properties, processing methods, and applications of polymers. Retaining the easy-to-follow structure of the previous editions, this fourth edition includes new topics of interest that reflect recent developments and lead to better insights into the molecular behavior of polymers. New to the Fourth Edition Advances in supramolecular polymerization, flame retardancy, polymer-based nanomedicines, and drug delivery The new concept of oxo-biodegradable polymers Broadened discussion on plastic foams and foam extrusion processes More information on the processing and applications of industrial polymers, including the emerging field of nanoblends Developments in polymer synthesis and applications, such as polymeric sensors, hydrogels and smart polymers, hyperbranched polymers, shape memory polymers, polymeric optical fibers, scavenger resins, polymer nanocomposites, polymerization-filled composites, and wood-polymer composites A state-of-the-art account of the various available methods for plastics recycling Advances in the use of polymers in packaging, construction, the automotive and aerospace industries, agriculture, electronics and electrical technology, biomedical applications, corrosion prevention, and sports and marine applications Plastics Technology Handbook, Fourth Edition thoroughly covers traditional industrial polymers and their processing methods as well as contemporary polymeric materials, recent trends, and the latest applications.

Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook: Processing, Materials, and Applications, Second Edition, covers both the polymer basics that are helpful to bring readers quickly up-to-speed if they are not familiar with a particular area of plastics processing and the recent developments that enable practitioners to discover which options best fit their requirements. New chapters added specifically cover polyamides, polyimides, and polyesters. Hot topics such as 3-D printing and smart plastics are also included, giving plastics engineers the information they need to take these embryonic technologies and deploy them in their own work. With the increasing demands for lightness and fuel economy in the automotive industry (not least due to CAFÉ standards), plastics will soon be used even further in vehicles. A new chapter has been added to cover the technology trends in this area, and the book has been substantially updated to reflect advancements in technology, regulations, and the commercialization of plastics in various areas. Recycling of plastics has been thoroughly revised to reflect ongoing developments in sustainability of plastics. Extrusion processing is constantly progressing, as have the elastomeric materials, fillers, and additives which are available. Throughout the book, the focus is on the engineering aspects of producing and using plastics. The properties of plastics are explained, along with techniques for testing, measuring, enhancing, and analyzing them. Practical introductions to both core topics and new developments make this work equally valuable for newly qualified plastics engineers seeking the practical rules-of-thumb they don't teach you in school and experienced practitioners evaluating new technologies or getting up-to-speed in a new field. - Presents an authoritative source of practical advice for engineers, providing guidance from experts that will lead to cost savings and process improvements - Ideal introduction for both new engineers and experienced practitioners entering a new field or evaluating a new technology - Updated to include the latest technology, including 3D Printing, smart polymers, and thorough coverage of biopolymers and biodegradable plastics

This Handbook is the first to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries. Bioplastics and biocomposites are becoming increasingly prominent because synthetic plastics and glass fiber composites are neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications brings together scientists from academia and industry to report on current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites arena. This new science is interdisciplinary and integrates pure and applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications: Packaging; Civil Engineering; Biomedical; Automotive; General Engineering. The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing, characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites including: Polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc. Thermoplastic and thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a focus on the automobile industry. The ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers). Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering applications. The Handbook will be of central interest to engineers, scientists and researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites, biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food packaging.

Written to educate readers about recent advances in the area of new materials used in making products. Materials and their properties usually limit the component designer. * Presents information about all of these advanced materials that enable products to be designed in a new way * Provides a cost effective way for the design engineer to become acquainted with new materials * The material expert benefits by being aware of the latest development in all these areas so he/she can focus on further improvements

Providing a useful summary of current knowledge on the friction and wear properties of composite materials, this book fills the gap between publications on fundamental principles of tribology and those on the friction and wear behavior of metals and polymers. Detailed coverage is given of: the fundamental aspects of tribology in general and polymer composites in particular; the effects of the microstructure of composites on friction and wear behavior under different external loading conditions; and the problem of the control of friction and wear behavior in practical situations. Although emphasis is on polymer composites associated with bearing-type applications, part of the book is also devoted to the friction and wear of metal-based composites and rubber compounds. The data are represented in the form of 277 figures, diagrams and photographs, and 68 tables. The author index covers more than 670 references, and the subject index more than 1,000 keywords.The book will be of particular interest to: those involved in research on some aspects of polymer composites tribology (material scientists, physical chemists, mechanical engineers); those wishing to learn more methods for solving practical friction or wear problems (designers, engineers and technologists in industries, dealing with selection, reprocessing and application of polymer engineering materials); and teachers and students at universities.

Advanced Fibre-reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Structural Applications, Second Edition provides updates on new research that has been carried out on the use of FRP composites for structural applications. These include the further development of advanced FRP composites materials that achieve lighter and stronger FRP composites, how to enhance FRP integrated behavior through matrix modification, along with information on pretension treatments and intelligence technology. The development of new technology such as automated manufacturing and processing of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have played a significant role in optimizing fabrication processing and matrix formation. In this new edition, all chapters have been brought fully up-to-date to take on the key aspects mentioned above. The book's chapters cover all areas relevant to advanced FRP composites, from the material itself, its manufacturing, properties, testing and applications in structural and civil engineering. Applications span from civil engineering, to buildings and the energy industry. - Covers all areas relevant to advanced FRP composites, from the material itself, its manufacturing, properties, testing and applications in structural engineering - Features new manufacturing techniques, such as automated fiber placement and 3D printing of composites - Includes various applications, such as prestressed-FRP, FRP made of short fibers, continuous structural health monitoring using advanced optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG), durability of FRP-strengthened structures, and the application of carbon nano-tubes or platelets for enhancing durability of FRP-bonded structures

This book bridges the technology and business aspects of thermoplastics, providing a guide designed for engineers working in real-world industrial settings. The author explores the criteria for material selection, provides a detailed guide to each family of thermoplastics, and also explains the various processing options for each material type. More than 30 families of thermoplastics are described with information on their advantages and drawbacks, special grades, prices, transformation processes, applications, thermal behaviour, technological properties (tenacity, friction, dimensional stability), durability (ageing, creep, fatigue), chemical and fire behaviour, electrical properties, and joining possibilities. Biron explores the technological properties and economics of the major thermoplastics and reinforced thermoplastics, such as polyethylene, and emerging polymers such as polybenzimidazole, Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) and bioplastics. In the second edition, a new section 'plastics solutions for practical problems' provides over 25 case studies illustrating a wide range of design and production challenges across the spectrum of thermoplastics, from metal and glass replacement solutions, to fire retardant plastics and antimicrobials. In addition, Biron provides major new material on bioplastics and wood plastic composites (WPCs), and fully updated data throughout. Combining materials data, information on processing techniques, and economic aspects (pricing), Biron provides a unique end-to-end approach to the selection and use of materials in the plastics industry and related sectors Includes a new section of case studies, illustrating best practice across a wide range of applications and industry sectors New material on bioplastics and sustainable composites