This item is in: Environment > Sustainable production
Green composites: Polymer composites and the environmentEdited by C Baillie, Queen's University, Canada
Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering No. 17
- reviews fibre reinforced polymer composite production
- explains how environmental footprints can be diminished at every stage of the life-cycle
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.
ISBN 1 85573 739 6
ISBN-13: 978 1 85573 739 6
September 2004
320 pages 234 x 156mm hardback
£155.00 / US$265.00 / €185.00
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About the editor
Caroline Baillie is the Dupont Canada Chair of Engineering Education Research and Development at Queen’s University, Ontario. Her research interests focus on natural sustainable composites and biomimicry and the development of engineering-based solutions for environmental and social problems. She has contributed to over 100 publications in materials science and education and has authored four books and edited two special editions on natural fibre composites.
Titles which may also be of interest:
Design and manufacture of textile composites
Natural fibre composites
Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction
Vegetable oil-based polymers
Contents
Why green composites? An introduction
C Baillie, Queen's University, Canada
- Introduction
- An environmental footprint and life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Drivers for change
- The structure of this book: a life cycle approach
Designing green composites: traditional and future views
C Rose, University of Brighton, UK
- Introduction: design thinking
- The three principles of development and the value system
- The big challenge: the future of material consumption, utilisation and innovation
- The use of composite materials through the ages: design, form and structure
- Sources of further information
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
R Murphy, Imperial College London, UK
- Introduction
- Life cycle assessment: methodology
- LCAs of composite materials
- Future trends – making use of LCA
- Conclusions
- Sources of further information
- Acknowledgement
- References
Natural fibre sources
T Nishino, Kobe University, Japan
- Introduction
- The microstructure of natural plant fibres
- The crystal structure of celluloses
- The crystal modulus of natural fibres
- The mechanical properties of cellulose microfibrils and macrofibrils
- Natural fibre/sustainable polymer composites
- Future trends
- References
Alternative fibre sources: paper and wood fibres as reinforcement
P Peltola, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
- Introduction and definitions
- Wood fibres: structure, properties, making pulp and paper fibres
- Recycling of paper
- Wood and plastic composites and the theory of fibre reinforcement
- Composites made of wood or wood fibre and plastics
- Acknowledgement
- References
Alternative solutions: recyclable synthetic fibre-thermoplastic composites
R A Shanks, RMIT University, Australia
- Introduction and definitions
- Green composites and the structure and function of composites
- Natural material sources: reconstitution, thermoplastic polymers and the effect of water
- Synthetic recyclable composites
- Processing innovations and mineral filled composites
- Properties of single polymer fibre-matrix composites
- Future trends
- Sources of further information and advice
- Acknowledgments
- References
Natural polymer sources
D Plackett and Dr A Vazquez, Danish Polymer Centre, Denmark
- Introduction: biocomposites and biodegradable polymers
- Polylactides: poly-lactic acid (PLA) synthesis, properties, biodegradation, processing and applications
- Polyalkanoates: polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthesis, properties, processing, biodegradation and applications
- Starch-based polymers: properties, biodegradation, processing and applications
- Bio-based composites: properties, processing, characterisation, modification, biodegradation and reinforcement
- Future trends
- Sources of further information
- References
Optimizing the properties of green composites
S H Aziz and M P Ansell, University of Bath, UK
- Introduction
- Thermosetting matrices versus thermoplastic matrices: a comparison
- Selecting natural fibres for composites: stress transfer and physical characteristics
- Case study: natural fibre composites with thermosetting resin matrices
- Mechanical properties of composites as a function of design
- Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) of long fibre composites
- Environmental stability of natural fibre composites
- Discussion and conclusions
- Sources of further information and advice
- Acknowledgements
- References
Green Fibre Thermoplastic Composites
M Sain and S Panthapulakkal, University of Toronto, Canada
- Introduction: biofibre production
- Green fibres for composite production
- Thermoplastics for natural fibre composites
- High performance fibres: thermal, chemical and mechanical treatments
- Processing of natural fibre filled composites
- The performance and durability of natural fibres
- Environmental benefits of using natural fibre-reinforced thermoplastics
- Future trends
- References
Clean production
N Tucker, University of Warwick, UK
- Introduction: clean processing
- Energy saving in the manufacture and production of composites
- Limiting the environmental impact of processing
- The use of additives
- End-of-life disposal strategies
- Future trends
- References
Applications
M Hughes, University of Wales, UK
- Introduction and definitions
- Historical applications of green composites
- Contemporary applications of green composites
- Future trends
- Sources of further information and advice
- Conclusions
- References
Re-use, recycling and degradation of composites
A Hodzic, James Cook University, Australia
- Introduction
- Recycling of polymers and composites
- Recycling of thermoplastic composites
- Recycling of thermosetting composites
- Degradation of polymers: UV light and biodegradation
- Recycling of composites in the automotive industry
- Utilising green composites and incinerating polymers
- Conclusions and future trends
- References
Reprocessing
J C Arnold, Swansea University, UK
- Introduction
- Management of waste plastics and composites
- Methods of sorting and separating plastics and polymers
- Methods of recycling plastics
- Future trends
- Sources of further information
- References