Polymeric foams are sturdy yet lightweight materials with applications across a variety of industries, from packaging to aerospace. As demand for these materials increase, so does innovation in the development of new processes and products. This book captures the most dynamic advances in processes, technologies, and products related to the polymeric foam market. It describes the latest business trends including new microcellular commercialization, sustainable foam products, and nanofoams. It also discusses novel processes, new and environmentally friendly blowing agents, and the development and usage of various types of foams, including bead and polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyetherimide microcellular, and nanocellular. The book also covers flame-retardant foams, rigid foam composites, and foam sandwich composites and details applications in structural engineering, electronics, and insulation. Authored by leading experts in the field, this book minimizes the gap between research and application in this important and growing area.

Engineering design teams sometimes have need of a material that may not exist because the combination of required properties is difficult to achieve. One solution is to develop a new material having the required set of properties needed in the application. During the author's 40-year career he has successfully worked on many such problems. The uniquely useful and valuable book, Polymeric Thermosetting Compounds: Innovative Aspects of Their Formulation Technology, presents twenty of those design problems and the solutions, which resulted in patents and spin-off applications. Author Ralph Hermansen, with years of experience of hands-on experience, is an expert in formulating epoxies, polyurethanes, and other polymers into compounds that have unique properties, and here he shares his knowledge and experience of attaining novel solutions to very challenging problems. He covers polymeric compounds such as coatings, adhesives, encapsulants, transparent plastics, and others. Chapters describe the design problem and define which key properties are sought in the new material. The author shares his thinking about how to approach the formulating problem and describes the experimental procedures used to eventually solve the problem. Patent information is shared as well. Once a new family of polymeric compounds is developed, that technology can be used to attack new unsolved materials problems, or "spin-offs," and real-life examples are provided to help readers see new applications of the technologies described in the earlier chapters. The book will be of interest to a diverse group of people. Industry professionals already in the business of selling specialty compounds may be able to add new products to their catalogs with little research cost or time by using the information in the book. Formulators, trying to develop a new compound to challenging requirements, may gain insight into how to make a breakthrough. The information in the book will be very valuable to companies needing these novel solutions. And younger people wondering what a career in materials science would be like get a first-hand commentary from someone who has done it.

High-Performance Polymers for Engineering-Based Composites presents a selection of investigations and innovative research in polymer chemistry and advanced materials. The book includes case studies in the field of nanocomposites. The volume provides coverage of new research in polymer science and engineering with applications in chemical engineering, materials science, and chemistry. In addition to synthetic polymer chemistry, it also looks at the properties of polymers in various states (solution, melt, solid). The chapters provide a survey of the important categories of polymers including commodity thermoplastics and fibers, elastomers and thermosets, and engineering and specialty polymers. Basic polymer processing principles are explained as well as in-depth descriptions of the latest polymer applications in different industrial sectors. This new book reviews the field's current state and emerging advances. With contributions from experts from both the industry and academia, this book presents the latest developments in polymer products and chemical processes.

Natural Fiber Textile Composite Engineering sheds light on the area of the natural fiber textile composites with new research on their applications, the material used, the methods of preparation, the different types of polymers, the selection of raw materials, the elements of design the natural fiber textile polymer composites for a particular end use, their manufacturing techniques, and finally their life cycle assessments (LCA). The volume also addresses the important issue in the materials science of how to utilize natural fibers as an enhancement to composite materials. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been proven to provide a combination of superior mechanical property, dielectric property, and environmental advantages such as renewability and biodegradability. Natural fibers, some from agricultural waste products, can replace existing metallic and plastic parts and help to alleviate the environmental problem of increasing amounts of agriculture residual. The book is divided into four sections, covering: applications of natural fiber polymer composites design of natural fiber polymer composites composite manufacturing techniques and agriculture waste manufacturing composite material testing methods The first section of the book deals with the application of textile composites in the industry and the properties of the natural fibers, providing an understanding of the history of natural fiber composites as well as an analysis of the different properties of different natural fibers. The second section goes on to explain the textile composites, their classification, different composite manufacturing techniques, and the different pretreatment methods for the natural fibers to be used in composite formation. It also analyzes the composite material design under different types of loading and the mechanism of failure of the natural fiber composite. The effect of the fiber volume fraction of different textile structures is explained. The third section of the book, on composite manufacturing techniques and agriculture waste manufacturing, concerns the natural fiber composite manufacturing techniques, agricultural waste, and the methods of their preparation to be used successfully in the composite, either in the form of fibers particles or nanoparticles. The book then considers the testing methods of the different composite components as well as the final composite materials, giving the principle of the testing standards, either distractive or nondestructive. This book attempts to fill the gap between the role of the textile engineer and the role of the designer of composites from natural fibers. It provides important information on the application of textile composites for textile engineers, materials engineers, and researchers in the area of composite materials.

This book focuses on food, non-food, and industrial packaging applications of polymers, blends, nanostructured materials, macro, micro and nanocomposites, and renewable and biodegradable materials. It details physical, thermal, and barrier properties as well as sustainability, recycling, and regulatory issues. The book emphasizes interdisciplinary research on processing, morphology, structure, and properties as well as applications in packaging of food and industrial products. It is useful for chemists, physicists, materials scientists, food technologists, and engineers.

With chapters by the editors and other experts in the field of polymer science, this book covers a broad selection of important research advances in the field, including updates on enzymatic destruction and photoelectric characteristics, studies on the changes in the polymer molecular mass during hydrolysis and a new type of bioadditive for motor fuel, and an exploration of the interrelation of viscoelastic and electromagnetic properties of densely cross-linked polymers. Also included are chapters that discuss the problems of mechanics of textile performance, new aspects of polymeric nanofibers, a mathematical model of nanofragment cross-linked polymers, and much more.

Polymer Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices, Volume I, offers a detailed explanation of recent progress and challenges in polymer electrolyte research for energy storage devices. The influence of these electrolyte properties on the performance of different energy storage devices is discussed in detail. Features: * Discusses a variety of energy storage systems and their workings and a detailed history of LIBs * Covers a wide range of polymer-based electrolytes including PVdF, PVdF-co-HFP, PAN, blend polymeric systems, composite polymeric systems, and polymer ionic liquid gel electrolytes * Provides a comprehensive review of biopolymer electrolytes for energy storage applications * Suitable for readers with experience in batteries as well as newcomers to the field This book will be invaluable to researchers and engineers working on the development of next-generation energy storage devices, including materials, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as those involved in related disciplines.

Polymere sind eine beeindruckend vielseitige Gruppe von makromolekularen Verbindungen und sind aus der heutigen Zeit nicht mehr wegzudenken. Es gibt wenige naturwissenschaftliche Bereiche, in denen so grosse Fortschritte gemacht worden sind wie in der Polymerforschung; zukunftige Moglichkeiten beflugeln eine rasant wachsende Industrie. Da uberall auf der Welt intensiv an Polymeren geforscht und gearbeitet wird, ist es notwendig, in der internationalen Kommunikation keine sprachlichen Missverstandnisse aufkommen zu lassen; dazu will das -Worterbuch Polymerwissenschaften- einen Beitrag leisten, indem es den wichtigsten Wortschatz 12 500 Begriffe in jeder Sprachrichtung: Englisch und Deutsch in klarer ubersichtlicher Weise gegenuber stellt. Eine ausfuhrliche Akronym-Liste der wichtigsten Polymere erganzt dieses handliche und nutzliche Referenzwerk. Ein unentbehrliches Handwerkszeug fur Chemiker, Physiker und Ingenieure in Forschung, Industrie und Lehre.

Polymers are an impressively diverse and versatile group of macromolecular compounds contributing significantly to progress and well-being in modern society. In this "era of polymers" the present enormous pace of new developments coupled with an unimaginable potential in polymer science is creating an exciting stimulation of a rapidly growing industry. International communication in the field of polymers requires an efficient use of the according terminology. This means the need of consulting according sources especially dictionaries. This -Polymer Science Dictionary- with some 12,500 terms in both languages, German and English, is an attempt to serving the growing community of chemists, physicists, and engineers in research, academia, and industry involved with polymers. A detailed list of acronyms of the most important polymers adds to this overall handy and useful ready-reference. An indispensable tool for anyone working in the field of polymers."

The first volume of the "Handbook of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Microbial Biosynthesis and Feedstocks" focusses on feedstock aspects, enzymology, metabolism and genetic engineering of PHA biosynthesis. It addresses better understanding the mechanisms of PHA biosynthesis in scientific terms and profiting from this understanding in order to enhance PHA biosynthesis in bio-technological terms and in terms of PHA microstructure. It further discusses making PHA competitive for outperforming established petrol-based plastics on industrial scale and obstacles for market penetration of PHA. Aimed at professionals and graduate students in Polymer (plastic) industry, wastewater treatment plants, food industry, biodiesel industry, this book Covers the intracellular on-goings in PHA-accumulating bacteria Assesses diverse feedstocks to be used as carbon source for PHA production including current knowledge on PHA biosynthesis starting from inexpensive waste feedstocks Summarizes recent relevant results dealing with PHA production from various organic by-products Presents the key elements to understand and fine-tune the microstructure and sequence-controlled molecular architecture of PHA co-polyesters Discusses the use of CO-rich syngas, sourced from various organic waste materials, for PHA biosynthesis

Polymer-based smart materials have become attractive in recent years due to the fact that polymers are flexible and provide many advantages compared to inorganic smart materials: they are low cost, they are easy to process, and they exhibit good performance at nano- and microscale levels. This volume focuses on a different class of polymers that are used as smart materials in the areas of biotechnology, medicine, and engineering. The volume aims to answer these questions: How do we distinguish 'smart materials'? and How do they work? The chapters lay the groundwork for assimilation and exploitation of this technological advancement. Four of the key aspects of the approach that the authors have developed throughout this book are highlighted, namely the multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, exploration of the relationships between multiple scales and their different behaviors, understanding that material properties are dictated at the smallest scale, and, therefore, the recognition that macroscale behavior can be controlled by nanoscale design.

This valuable book is devoted to problems of the synthesis, vulcanization, modification, and study of structure and properties of highly filled sealants based on polysulfide oligomers (PSO). The book summarizes information concerning chemistry, synthesis technology, structure, and properties of liquid thiokols and thiokol-containing polyesters. It also presents a literary survey on chemism and mechanisms for liquid thiokols vulcanization involving oxidants or through polyaddition. The book describes formulation principles of sealants, their properties, and application areas. The book provides research on vulcanization and modification of thiokol sealants involving thiokol-epoxy resin copolymers, unsaturated polyesters, and various isocyanate prepolymers. It describes studies of mechanisms underlying vulcanization of polysulphide oligomers by manganese dioxide, sodium dichromate and zinc oxide, and also of the structure and properties of sealants on the basis of a liquid thiokol and commercial " -2" polymer depending on a chemical nature and the ratio of constituent oligomers. The book gives information on the influence of filling materials on vulcanization kinetics, rheological, and physico-mechanical properties of sealants depending on the nature of PSO. The book will be of interest to research personnel of scientific institutes and centers developing reactive oligomers and their compositions and studying their structure and properties as well as engineers working in science centers or enterprises working in the area of development, production, and application of polysulfide oligomers and sealants.

This informative volume discusses recent advancements in the research and development in synthesis, characterization, processing, morphology, structure, and properties of advanced polymeric materials. With contributions from leading international researchers and professors in academic, government and industrial institutions, Advanced Polymeric Materials for Sustainability and Innovations has a special focus on eco-friendly polymers, polymer composites, nanocomposites, and blends and materials for traditional and renewable energy. In this book the relationship between processing-morphology-property applications of polymeric materials is well established. Recent advances in the synthesis of new functional monomers has shown strong potential in generating better property polymers from renewable resources. Fundamental advances in the field of nanocomposite blends and nanostructured polymeric materials in automotive, civil, biomedical and packaging/coating applications are the highlights of this book.

Biopolymers are attracting immense attention of late because of their diverse applications that can address growing environmental concerns and energy demands. The development of various biomaterials creates significant advancements in the medical field as well, and many biopolymers are used for the fabrication of biomaterials. Together, biopolymers and biomaterials create great potential for new materials, applications, and uses. This new volume, Biopolymers and Biomaterials, covers the science and application of biopolymers and biomaterials. It presents an array of different studies on biopolymers and biomaterials, along with their results, interpretation, and the conclusions arrived at through investigations. It includes biopolymer synthesis, their characterizations, and their potential applications. The book begins with an explanation of the different biopolymers used in the textile industry, their advantages and disadvantages, and their applications.

This book provides an important structural analysis of polymer solutions and melts, using fractal analysis. The book covers the theoretical fundamentals of macromolecules fractal analysis. It then goes on to discuss the fractal physics of polymer solutions and the fractal physics of melts. The intended audience of the book includes specialists in chemistry and physics of polymer synthesis and those in the field of polymers and polymer composites processing.

This book provides a comprehensive account of developments in the area of lightweight polymer composites. It encompasses design and manufacturing methods for the lightweight polymer structures, various techniques, and a broad spectrum of applications. The book highlights fundamental research in lightweight polymer structures and integrates various aspects from synthesis to applications of these materials. Features Serves as a one stop reference with contributions from leading researchers from industry, academy, government, and private research institutions across the globe Explores all important aspects of lightweight polymer composite structures Offers an update of concepts, advancements, challenges, and application of lightweight structures Current status, trends, future directions, and opportunities are discussed, making it friendly for both new and experienced researchers.

Technical and technological development demands the creation of new materials that are stronger, more reliable, and more durable-materials with new properties. This book skillfully blends and integrates polymer science, plastic technology, and rubber technology to highlight new developments and trends in advanced polyblends. The fundamentals of polymerization, polymer characteristics, rheology and morphology, as well as composition, technology, testing and evaluation of various plastics, rubbers, fibers, adhesives, coatings, and composites are comprehensively presented in this informative volume. The book presents the developments of advanced polyblends and the respective tools to characterize and predict the material properties and behavior. It provides important original and theoretical experimental results that use non-routine methodologies often unfamiliar to many readers. Furthermore chapters on novel applications of more familiar experimental techniques and analyses of composite problems are included, which indicate the need for the new experimental approaches that are presented. This new book: * Provides an up-to-date and thorough exposition of the present state of the art of polyblends and composites * Familiarizes the reader with new aspects of the techniques used in the examination of polymers, emphasizing plastic technology and rubber technology * Describes the types of techniques now available to the polymer chemist and technician and discusses their capabilities, limitations, and applications * Provides a balance between materials science and the mechanics aspects, basic and applied research, and high-technology and high-volume (low-cost) composite development Entrepreneurs and professionals engaged in production of as well as research and development in polymers will find the information presented here valuable and informative.

Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field, from basic properties and mechanisms of action for flame retardants to emerging methods, materials, and industrial applications. With over 120 black and white images, Hu and Wang cover the latest in the development of novel polymer nanocomposites such as graphene, CNTs, LDHs, POSS, and techniques such as layer-by-layer assembly. These expert authors also include discussions on the important flame-retardant systems based on phosphorus, silicon, and boron. In doing so, they highlight the use of flame-retardants in varying industries, for example, construction, textiles, and aviation. This comprehensive handbook is an essential read for students and academics of physics with a particular interest in flame-retardant materials. It would also be recommended for professionals within the materials science and engineering fields.

This practical book sets the standard as a valuable, time-saving resource offering systematic fundamental information about industrial radiation technologies. This new edition explores updates to emerging applications of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) radiation to polymer processing and offers updates throughout to detail changes changes, new trends, and general issues in radiation technology. It presents vital, cutting-edge information to aid further reduction of volatile organic compounds and toxic substances in the environment, develop alternative sources of energy, and harness energy in both medical and industrial applications. New features of this edition include: Stresses the practical aspects of UV/EB technology and its industrial application Includes updates on UV radiation processes and applications of UV radiation Explores new engineering data of selected commercial products Written by an expert with over forty years of experience, this book would make an excellent resource for scientists and engineers in the fields of materials science and polymer chemistry.

Polymer Coatings: Technologies and Applications provides a comprehensive account of the recent developments in polymer coatings encompassing novel methods, techniques, and a broad spectrum of applications. The chapters explore the key aspects of polymer coatings while highlighting fundamental research, different types of polymer coatings, and technology advances. This book also integrates the various aspects of these materials from synthesis to application. Current status, trends, future directions, and opportunities are also discussed. FEATURES Examines the basics to the most recent advances in all areas of polymer coatings Serves as a one-stop reference Discusses polymer-coated nanocrystals and coatings based on nanocomposites Describes morphology, spectroscopic analysis, adhesion, and rheology of polymer coatings Explores conducting, stimuli-responsive, self-healing, hydrophobic and hydrophilic, antifouling, and antibacterial polymer coatings Covers modeling and simulation With contributions from the top international researchers from industry, academia, government, and private research institutions, both new and experienced readers will benefit from this applications-oriented book. Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa is a research scientist at the Natural Composites Research Group Lab, Academic Enhancement Department, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai is a research professor at the Center of Innovation in Design and Engineering for Manufacturing, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. Suchart Siengchin is a professor at and president of King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand.

The third volume of the Handbook of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) focusses on the production of functionalized PHA bio-polyesters, the post-synthetic modification of PHA, processing and additive manufacturing of PHA, development and properties of PHA-based (bio)composites and blends, the market potential of PHA and follow-up materials, different bulk- and niche applications of PHA, and the fate and use of spent PHA items. Divided into fourteen chapters, it describes functionalized PHA and PHA modification, processing and their application including degradation of spent PHA-based products and fate of these bio-polyesters during compositing and other disposal strategies. Aimed at graduate students and professionals in Polymer science, chemical engineering and bioprocessing, it: Covers current state of the art in the development of chemically modifiable PHA including mult-istep modifications of isolated biopolyesters, short syntheses of monomer feedstocks and so forth. Describes design of functionalized PHA-based polymeric materials by chemical modification . Illustrates preparation of bioactive oligomers derived from microbial PHA and synthetic analogues of natural PHA oligomers. Discusses processing and thermomechanical properties of PHA. Reviews advantages of PHA against other bio-based and conventional polymers with current applications and potential uses of PHA-based polymers highlighting innovative products.

This book is divided into 5 sections starting with an historic perspective and fundamental aspects on the synthesis and recognition by imprinted polymers. The second section contains 8 up-to-date overview chapters on current approaches to molecular and ion imprinting. This is followed by two chapters on new material morphologies and in the last two sections various analytical applications of imprinted polymers are given, with the last four chapters devoted to the promising field of imprinted polymers in chemical sensors.
The authors of this volume have widely different backgrounds; mainly polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry, which means that this book has an interdisciplinary character and should appeal to a broad audience.

This practical guide for managers and engineers in the plastics industry shows how to reduce high noise levels which often occur in the workplace and reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing damage to employees. Practical methods for reducing noise from industrial machinery are described and illustrated with about twenty-five case studies relating to plastics processing machines such as granulators, shredders, extruders and injection moulders. Noise-control techniques include standard noise-control measures: enclosures, silencers and the use of sound insulating, sound-absorbing materials, vibration isolation and damping; and now the use of active noise control methods. Along with fresh case studies this new edition adds chapters on environmental noise, on European Union machinery noise emission regulations, hearing protection, prediction of noise levels, and the design of quieter workplaces.

The Role of Surface Modification on Bacterial Adhesion of Bio-implant Materials: Machining, Characterization, and Applications, explores the relationship between the surface roughness of artificial implants used for hard tissue replacement and their bacterial adhesion. It summarizes the reason for the failure of implants, the mechanisms of bacterial formation on implant surfaces, and the fundamental and established methods of implant surface modification techniques. It provides readers with an organized and rational representation about implant manufacturing and mechanical surface modification. It also explores the use of developed unidirectional abrasive flow finishing processes to finish biomaterials at the nano-level. It is an invaluable guide for academics, graduate students, biomaterial scientists, and manufacturing engineers researching implants, related infections, and implant manufacturing. Key Features: Explores implant related infections Discusses surface modification techniques Contains information on the mechanical finishing processes and complete guide on developed cutting edge unidirectional abrasive flow finishing technology

Increasing attention is being given to the use of concrete-polymer composites as high performance and multi-functional materials in the construction industry, as well as in mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. Particular interest is being given to these materials in Japan and other East Asian countries. This book forms the proceedings of the Second East Asia Symposium on Polymers in Concrete (II-EASPIC) held under the auspices of the Japan Charter of ICPIC (the International Congress on Polymers in Concrete). Papers are presented by international experts from thirteen different countries. Many aspects of the subject are discussed, including: new developments in the theory and practice of polymer composites; studies of their performance; appropriate manufacturing techniques and materials selection processes; their structural design; various types of concrete using polymers; methods of restoration and conservation using composites; overlays; adhesives and coating used in concrete works, special innovative developments and techniques for recycling.

The modern tire is the most complex, composite product in mass production. Yet given its complexity and required performance, there is little information in the public domain regarding its development. This book provides an introduction to tire design, construction, and manufacturing in the context of materials technologies used today, along with future trends and disrupting technologies. Focuses on design and construction Discusses the relationship between materials and performance Reviews tire uniformity as a key differentiator among manufacturers Evaluates design and construction features versus performance Written for engineers in the polymer, industrial, chemical, mechanical, and automotive industries, this book offers a comprehensive view of tire design, including materials selection, construction, manufacturing, quality control, and future trends.