Book Description

There are many types of materials being used for composites, but polymers have played a major part as composite materials due to their versatility and seemingly endless possibilities. Constant research and development has enabled polymers to establish themselves as an essential part of daily life by replacing traditional materials over the years. Polymer composites with biomasses have been the trend for some time now, with wood plastic composites (WPC) probably the most common. However, a new and exciting field of polymer composites are opening up: polymeric composites with rice hulls. These composites will have better properties than current polymer composites and provide a wider range of end applications from domestic to industrial to building construction. Also, their ability to achieve aesthetically pleasing finishes similar to natural wood veneers and better structural strength will provide an ideal substitute for natural wood. Moreover, these composites can be made available in pellet forms and can be used in injection moulding and other plastic processes to replace traditional resins at lower cost. The author has over 40 years' hands-on experience in local and international industrial fields. After much research on this subject, he presents sound practical knowledge on all aspects of polymeric composites with rice hulls. This book imparts detailed and valuable information from the basics of selecting the right processing machinery and raw materials to production technology for resin pellets and end products as well as the vast possibilities of end applications (including building construction). The exciting applications of products made from these polymeric composites with rice hulls as ideal substitutes for natural wood will evoke great interest and help ease current global environmental concerns. This book will be an ideal source of information for resin-pellet manufacturers, processors and end users as well as enhance research in this field.