Description: Environmentally friendly sustainable biocomposites are obtained by using reinforcing agents, including natural fibers, particulates, nanomaterials, and polymer matrices, where at least one of these components is bio-based. Advances in Biocomposites and their Applications presents a detailed review of the latest progress in this important research field. The book begins with a brief introduction to the various types of reinforcing agents that are used for fabricating biocomposites. Processing and fabrication methods are then discussed in detail as well as their important mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biological properties. The book then goes on to discuss various mechanisms that can be used to improve these properties as well as various fields of application, including those in automotive, aerospace, marine, building materials, biomaterials, electrical, and electronic engineering sectors. The economic impact, safety, toxicity, and future directions for these materials are also discussed in detail. The book will be a valuable reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists, and engineers, and all those working in the fields of polymer science, composite materials, and biocomposites.
Brief description: Niranjan Karak is Professor of Polymer Science and Technology and Head of the Chemical Sciences Department at Tezpur University, India. He has published over 87 research papers, two books and two chapters in two edited books, and also regularly acts as a reviewer for many international polymer journals.