Polymeric Foams: Innovations in Technologies and Environmentally Friendly Materials offers the latest in technology and environmental innovations within the field of polymeric foams. It outlines how application-focused research in polymeric foam can continue to improve living quality and enhance social responsibility. This book: Addresses technological innovations including those in bead foams, foam injection molding, foams in tissue engineering, foams in insulation, and silicon rubber foam Discusses environmentally friendly innovations in PET foam, degradable and renewable foam, and physical blowing agents Describes principles as well as applications from internationally recognized foam experts This work is aimed at researchers and industry professionals across chemical, mechanical, materials, polymer engineering, and anyone else developing and applying these advanced polymeric materials.

Forensic Polymer Engineering: Why Polymer Products Fail in Service, Second Edition presents and explains the latest forensic engineering techniques used in the investigation of failed polymer materials that are illustrated with a very large number of detailed case studies which show the different types of failure and the forensic engineering techniques used in their investigation. In this updated edition, new case studies have been added to include patent disputes and failed products such as spiral wound wall storage tanks, lithium battery explosions, water bottle failures, and breast implant failures (such as the PIP scandal). New images demonstrating failure have been included, and images from the previous edition are reproduced in color and enhanced with additional explanatory detail. With a dedicated focus on polymeric materials, the book includes details on the experimental techniques that are used to characterize the materials, particularly in cases of failure. Finally, the book has information on the fabrication of polymer devices, as manufacturing flaws often play a role in failure.

Fluoroelastomers Handbook: The Definitive User's Guide, Second Edition is a comprehensive reference on fluoroelastomer chemistry, processing technology, and applications. It is a must-have reference for materials scientists and engineers in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, chemical process, and power generation industries. Covering both physical and mechanical properties of fluoroelastomers, it is useful in addressing daily challenges in the use of these materials, as well as the challenges posed in long-term research and development programs. Since the publication of the previous edition in 2005, many new findings and developments in chemistry, technology, and applications of fluoroelastomers have taken place. This is the only book with updated information on the manufacturing process, cross-linking chemistry and the formulation of compounds, as well as mixing, processing, and curing methods. A fully revised chapter is included on applications and examples of fluoroelastomer compounds. Safety, hygiene, and disposal standards and guidelines have been updated, and a new chapter has been added to discuss new developments and current trends, helping engineers and materials scientists stay ahead of the curve.

Covers principles of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC), manufacturing processes, applications and future possibilities in a systematic manner Highlights IPMC practical applicability in biomedical engineering domain Explores single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) based IPMC soft actuators Discusses IPMC applications in underwater areas Includes IPMC application in robotics focussing on special compliant mechanism

Advances in Women's Intimate Apparel Technology discusses the design and manufacture of intimate apparel and how the industry is increasingly embracing novel materials, new technologies, and innovations in sizing and fit. The book reviews the ways in which new materials and methods are improving the range, function, and quality of intimate apparel, with particular focus on brassiere design. Part One introduces the advanced materials used for intimate apparel, including novel fabrics and dyes and finishes, along with materials for wiring and embellishments. Part Two discusses the role of seamless technology in intimate apparel production, covering lamination, moulding, and seamless knitting. Finally, Part Three reviews advances in design, fit, and performance.

Professional engineers engaged in the design and structural analysis of plastic components will appreciate this ground-breaking work, which uniquely applies the stress category approach to plastics materials. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, this reference offers a comprehensive discussion of various stress categories utilizing over 150 annotated, instructive examples. An overview of the theory of elasticity is presented along with techniques governing plastics design. From simple press-fits to matrix structural analysis, the concept of stress category analysis is introduced and utilized to discuss a wide range of practical problems more compactly. What to do with computed stress is the most pressing issue addressed in Applied Stress Analysis of Plastics, as Krishnamachari presents fresh methodologies to deal with these problems effectively. Stressing understanding over theory, Applied Stress Analysis of Plastics makes the perfect desktop reference for design and test engineers, or as an intermediate textbook for students.

Active Coatings for Smart Textiles presents the latest information on active materials and their application to textiles in the form of coatings and finishes for the purpose of improving performance and creating active functional effects. This important book provides detailed coverage of smart coating types, processes, and applications. After an introduction to the topic, Part One introduces various types of smart and active coatings, including memory polymer coatings, durable and self-cleaning coatings, and breathable coatings. Technologies and related processes for the application of coatings to textiles is the focus of Part Two, with chapters devoted to microencapsulation technology, plasma surface treatments, and nanotechnology-based treatments. The book ends with a section on applications of smart textiles with responsive coatings, which are increasingly finding commercial niches in sportswear, protective clothing, medical textiles, and architecture.

Antimicrobial textiles have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years due to their potential for reducing the transmission of infection in medical and healthcare environments. Antimicrobial properties can also improve the performance and lifespan of consumer products, and so these fabrics are increasingly finding applications in the wider textile and apparel industry. This book provides systematic coverage of the technologies and materials required for developing these important textiles. In Part One, chapters address key issues and technologies in the creation of antimicrobial textile products. Topics covered include testing and regulation, microencapsulation, sol-gel coating and plasma technologies, nanotechnology and life cycle assessment. Part Two then reviews key antimicrobial agents, such as N-halamines, plant based compounds and photo-active chemicals. Finally, the chapters of Part Three offer detailed reviews of antimicrobial textiles for particular important applications, including medical devices, protective clothing and products with improved durability and longevity.

Multilayer Flexible Packaging, Second Edition, provides a thorough introduction to the manufacturing and applications of flexible plastic films, covering materials, hardware and processes, and multilayer film designs and applications. The book gives engineers and technicians a better understanding of the capability and limitations of multilayer flexible films and how to use them to make effective packaging. It includes contributions from world renowned experts and is fully updated to reflect the rapid advances made in the field since 2009, also including an entirely new chapter on the use of bio-based polymers in flexible packaging. The result is a practical, but detailed reference for polymeric flexible packaging professionals, including product developers, process engineers, and technical service representatives. The materials coverage includes detailed sections on polyethylene, polypropylene, and additives. The dies used to produce multilayer films are explored in the hardware section, and the process engineering of film manufacture is explained, with a particular focus on meeting specifications and targets. In addition, a new chapter has been added on regulations for food packaging - including both FDA and EU regulations.

Conducting polymers are versatile materials that possess both the unique properties of polymeric materials (elastic behavior, reversible deformation, flexibility, etc.) and the ability to conduct electricity with bulk conductivities comparable to those of metals and semiconductors. Conducting Polymers: Chemistries, Properties and Biomedical Applications provides current, state-of-the-art knowledge of conducting polymers and their composites for biomedical applications. This book covers the fundamentals of conducting polymers, strategies to modify the structure of conducting polymers to make them biocompatible, and their applications in various biomedical areas such as drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, antimicrobial activities, biosensors, etc. FEATURES Covers the state-of-the-art progress on biodegradable conducting polymers for biomedical applications Presents synthesis, characterization, and applications of conducting polymers for various biomedical research Provides the fundamentals of biodegradation mechanisms and the role of conduction in biomedical devices Offers details of novel methods and advanced technologies used in biomedical applications using conducting polymers Highlights new directions for scientists, researchers, and students to better understand the chemistry, technologies, and applications of conducting polymers This book is essential reading for all academic and industrial researchers working in the fields of materials science, polymers, nanotechnology, and biomedical technology.

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites exhibit better damping characteristics than conventional metals due to the viscoelastic nature of the polymers. There has been a growing interest among research communities and industries in the use of natural fibers as reinforcements in structural and semi-structural applications, given their environmental advantages. Knowledge of the vibration and damping behavior of biocomposites is essential for engineers and scientists who work in the field of composite materials. Vibration and Damping Behavior of Biocomposites brings together the latest research developments in vibration and viscoelastic behavior of composites filled with different natural fibers. Features: Reviews the effect of various types of reinforcements on free vibration behavior Emphasizes aging effects, influence of compatibilizers, and hybrid fiber reinforcement Explores the influence of resin type on viscoelastic properties Covers the use of computational modeling to analyze dynamic behavior and viscoelastic properties Discusses viscoelastic damping characterization through dynamic mechanical analysis. This compilation will greatly benefit academics, researchers, advanced students, and practicing engineers in materials and mechanical engineering and related fields who work with biocomposites. Editors Dr. Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani, Kalasalinagam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), India Dr. Md Enamul Hoque, Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Bangladesh Dr. Senthilkumar Krishnasamy, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok KMUTNB, Thailand Dr. Chandrasekar Muthukumar, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science (HITS), India Dr. Suchart Siengchin, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok KMUTNB, Thailand

Handbook of Fillers, Fourth Edition, discusses the rapidly advancing field of fillers, the substances added to plastics and composites that add value by improving and modifying the properties of materials and reducing costs. This new edition is an essential reference for engineers and scientists using fillers in a range of materials, including plastics, rubber, adhesives, and paper. The book is designed to be a comprehensive reference for both experienced practitioners and those new to fields where fillers are used. It covers available fillers and their properties, their effect on filled materials, such as mechanical properties, rheology, morphology, flammability, and recycling, and their use in practical applications. In particular, this new edition provides extensive coverage of nanofillers, along with the practical information needed to deploy these new technologies in the real world. The book includes the latest advances in filler technology, with consolidated technical information from over 4,000 research papers, data from over 160 filler and equipment manufacturers, and a thorough review of the patent literature.

Geotextiles: From Design to Applications presents valuable information on the high performance fabrics used in soil separation, drainage, filtration, reinforcement, and cushioning. These polymeric materials offer solutions for geoengineering and other civil engineering specialties due to their advanced physical, mechanical, hydraulic, and endurance properties. This important book offers comprehensive coverage of the manufacture, functions, properties, designs, and applications of geotextiles. Part One begins with a chapter on the history of geotextiles, followed by chapters giving detailed reviews of the types of fabrics and their manufacturing processes, from resin type, to fiber extrusion, to textile fabrication. Part Two covers the properties, behavior, and testing of geotextiles, with Part Three focusing on applications dealing with the specific primary functions of geotextiles. In Part Four, chapters offer numerous general applications of geotextiles, including those in waste containment, marine engineering, walls/slopes, agriculture, and erosion control. Finally, the chapters of Part Five address quality control and assurance for geotextiles, and the increasingly important topic of sustainability.

Handbook of Nucleating Agents gives engineers and materials scientists the information they need to increase the production rate, modify structure and morphology, and reduce haze of polymeric products with proper selection of nucleating agents and clarifying agents. Chemical origin and related properties of nucleating agents are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties, including the essential theoretical knowledge required for correct selection and use of nucleating and clarifying agents. This includes methods of chemical modification of nucleating agents and their deposition on suitable substrates; methods and results of dispersion of nucleating agents; influence of their concentration and cooling rate on final result and rate of crystallization; nucleation efficiency of different products and the reasons behind it; and generally accepted mechanisms of nucleation. The book also covers application aspects in different formulations. Patent literature and research papers are extensively reviewed for different applications, and polymer processing methods which require use of nucleating agents are discussed, with an emphasis on the intricacies of use of nucleating agents in different polymers and products.

Nanomaterial and Polymer Membranes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications presents a unique collection of up-to-date polymeric nanomaterial membranes. The book offers a perfect source to document state-of-the-art developments and innovations in nanocomposite membranes, ranging from materials development and characterization of properties to membrane applications. The book discusses applications that encompass the enhancement of sorption and degradation processes and their usage for the removal of different pollutants, including heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, and other organic and inorganic pollutants from the industry.

Biomass Fractionation Technologies for a Lignocellulosic Feedstock-based Biorefinery reviews the extensive research and tremendous scientific and technological developments that have occurred in the area of biorefinering, including industrial processes and product development using 'green technologies', often referred as white biotechnology. As there is a huge need for new design concepts for modern biorefineries as an alternative and amendment to industrial crude oil and gas refineries, this book presents the most important topics related to biomass fractionation, including advances, challenges, and perspectives, all with references to current literature for further study. Presented in 26 chapters by international field specialists, each chapter consists of review text that comprises the most recent advances, challenges, and perspectives for each fractionation technique. The book is an indispensable reference for all professionals, students, and workers involved in biomass biorefinery, assisting them in establishing efficient and economically viable process technologies for biomass fractionation.

Spectroscopy of Polymer Nanocomposites covers all aspects of the spectroscopic characterization of polymer nanocomposites. More than 25 spectroscopy characterization techniques - almost all used in materials science - are treated in the book, with discussion of their potentialities and limitations. By comparing the techniques with each other and presenting the techniques together with their specific application areas, the book provides scientists and engineers the information needed for solving specific problems and choosing the right technique for analyzing the material structure. From this, the dispersion structure of fillers, property relations and filler-polymer interactions can be determined, and, ultimately, the right materials can be chosen for the right applications. Besides the techniques and structure-property relations, aspects covered include: phase segregation of filler particles, filler agglomeration and deagglomeration, filler dispersion, filler-polymer interactions, surfaces and interfaces. The book also examines recent developments, as well as unresolved issues and new challenges, in the characterization of surfaces and interfaces in polymer nanocomposites. This handpicked selection of topics, and the combined expertise of contributors from industry, academia, government and private research organizations across the globe, make this survey an outstanding reference source for anyone involved in the field of polymer nanocomposites in academia or industry.

Biopolymers represent a carbon emission solution: they are green and eco-friendly with a variety of uses in biomedical engineering, the automotive industry, the packaging and paper industries, and for the development of new building materials. This book describes the various raw materials of biopolymers and their chemical and physical properties, the polymerization process, and the chemical structure and properties of biopolymers. Furthermore, this book identifies the drawbacks of biopolymers and how to overcome them through modification methods to enhance the compatibility, flexibility, physicochemical properties, thermal stability, impact response, and rigidity.

Advances in Polyurethane Biomaterials brings together a thorough review of advances in the properties and applications of polyurethanes for biomedical applications. The first set of chapters in the book provides an important overview of the fundamentals of this material with chapters on properties and processing methods for polyurethane. Further sections cover significant uses such as their tissue engineering and vascular and drug delivery applications Written by an international team of leading authors, the book is a comprehensive and essential reference on this important biomaterial.

Advanced Fibrous Composite Materials for Ballistic Protection provides the latest information on ballistic protection, a topic that remains an important issue in modern times due to ever increasing threats coming from regional conflicts, terrorism, and anti-social behavior. The basic requirements for ballistic protection equipment are first and foremost, the prevention of a projectile from perforating, the reduction of blunt trauma to the human body caused by ballistic impact, the necessity that they are thermal and provide moisture comfort, and that they are lightweight and flexible to guarantee wearer's mobility. The main aim of this book is to present some of the most recent developments in the design and engineering of woven fabrics and their use as layering materials to form composite structures for ballistic personal protection. Chapter topics include High Performance Ballistic Fibres, Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), Ballistic Damage of Hybrid Composite Materials, Analysis of Ballistic Fabrics and Layered Composite Materials, and Multi-Scale Modeling of Polymeric Composite Materials for Ballistic Protection.

Since 1930 more than 100,000 new chemical compounds have been developed and insufficient information exists on the health assessment of 95 percent of these chemicals in which a relevant percentage are used in construction products. For instance Portland cement concrete, the most used material on the Planet (10.000 million tons/year that in the next 40 years will increase around 100 %) currently used in around 15% of total concrete production contains chemicals used to modify their properties, either in the fresh or hardened state. Biopolymers are materials that are developed from natural resources. They reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. There is a worldwide demand to replace petroleum-based materials with renewable resources. Currently bio-admixtures represent just a small fraction of the chemical admixtures market (around 20%) but with environmental awareness for constituents in construction materials generally growing (the Construction Products Regulation is being enforced in Europe since 2013), the trend towards bio-admixtures is expected to continue. This book provides an updated state-of-the-art review on biopolymers and their influence and use as admixtures in the development of eco-efficient construction materials.

Manufacturing and Novel Applications of Multilayer Polymer Films discusses the advancements in multilayer technology, including its capability to produce hundreds of layers in a single film by a melt coextrusion process. These engineered films can have significantly enhanced performance properties, allowing films to be made thinner, stronger, and with better sealing properties. As recent developments in feedblocks and materials have opened up a range of new possibilities, this book discusses different feedblocks, and viscosity and material considerations. It is the first comprehensive summary of the latest technology in multilayer film processing and related applications, and is written from a practical perspective, translating research into commercial production and real world products. The book provides fundamental knowledge on microlayer coextrusion processing technology, how to fabricate such structures, structure and properties of such microlayers, and potential applications, thus helping research scientists and engineers develop products which not only fulfill their primary function, but can also be manufactured reliably, safely, and economically.

Chemical Resistance of Thermoplastics is a unique reference work, providing a comprehensive cross-referenced compilation of chemical resistance data that explains the effect of thousands of exposure media on the properties and characteristics of commodity thermoplastics. The two volumes cover thermoplastics grouped within the following parts:
- Acrylic Polymers and Copolymers
- Acrylonitrile Polymers
- Cellulosics Polymers
- Ionomers
- Olefinic Polymers
- Polyacetals
- Polyacetals
- Polyamides
- Polycarbonates
- Polyesters
- Polyurethanes
- Polycarbonates
- Styrene Copolymers
- Styrene Copolymers
- Vinyl Chloride Polymers
- Vinyl Polymers

The single most comprehensive data source covering the chemical resistance properties of high consumption volume commercial thermoplastics

A rating number is provided for each test, summarizing the effect of the exposure medium on the given thermoplastic

The data covered in the two volumes is also provided as an online publication offering extended navigation and search features

Three-Dimensional Microfabrication Using Two-Photon Polymerization (TPP) is the first comprehensive guide to TPP microfabrication-essential reading for researchers and engineers in areas where miniaturization of complex structures is key, such as in the optics, microelectronics, and medical device industries. TPP stands out among microfabrication techniques because of its versatility, low costs, and straightforward chemistry. TPP microfabrication attracts increasing attention among researchers and is increasingly employed in a range of industries where miniaturization of complex structures is crucial: metamaterials, plasmonics, tissue engineering, and microfluidics, for example. Despite its increasing importance and potential for many more applications, no single book to date is dedicated to the subject. This comprehensive guide, edited by Professor Baldacchini and written by internationally renowned experts, fills this gap and includes a unified description of TPP microfabrication across disciplines. The guide covers all aspects of TPP, including the pros and cons of TPP microfabrication compared to other techniques, as well as practical information on material selection, equipment, processes, and characterization. Current and future applications are covered and case studies provided as well as challenges for adoption of TPP microfabrication techniques in other areas are outlined. The freeform capability of TPP is illustrated with numerous scanning electron microscopy images.

Design and Manufacture of Plastic Components for Multifunctionality: Structural Composites, Injection Molding, and 3D Printing presents the latest information on how plastics manufacturers are increasingly being driven towards carbon emission reduction, lightweighting, and cost savings through process integration. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize future products with built-in functionality such as sensors, smart packaging, and damage detection technology for everything from milk bottles and salad packaging to automotive bumpers and plane fuselages. This book introduces the three core manufacturing methods for multifunctional materials, composites, injection molding, and 3D printing, all processes facing challenges for the implementation of new technology. Users will find a book that brings together both process and material advances in this area, giving process engineers, designers, and manufacturers the information they need to choose the appropriate material and process for the product they are developing.