Recyclability and Embodied Energy of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites


Book Description

Recycling of advanced composites made from carbon fibers in epoxy resins is essential for two primary reasons. First, the energy necessary to produce carbon fibers is very high and therefore reusing these fibers could greatly reduce the lifecycle energy of components which use them. Second, if the material is allowed to break down in the environment, it will contribute to the growing presence of microplastics and other synthetic pollutants. Recyclability and Embodied Energy of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites discusses current recycling and disposal methods—which typically do not aim for full circularity, but rather successive downcycling—and addresses the major challenge of aligning fibers into unidirectional tows of real value in high-performance composites. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023018




Recyclability and Embodied Energy of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites


Book Description

SAE EDGE Research Reports provide state-of-the-art and state-of-industry examinations of the most significant topics in mobility engineering. SAE EDGE contributors are experts from research, academia, and industry who have come together to explore and define the most critical advancements, challenges, and future direction in areas such as vehicle automation, unmanned aircraft, IoT and connectivity, cybersecurity, advanced propulsion, and advanced manufacturing.




Sustainable Biopolymer Composites


Book Description

Sustainable Biopolymer Composites: Biocompatibility, Self-healing, Modeling, Repair and Recyclability focuses on sustainable polymer composites also referred to as bio- composites. Vital aspects such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, repair and recyclability are discussed in detail. In addition, complexities like rapid and scalable processing, onsite repair, and minimal environmental effects are also covered along with the appropriateness of advanced polymer composites for structural applications in automotive, aviation and marine industries. This book will be an indispensable resource for scientists, engineers, physicists and chemists who are interested in the preparation, applications and repair analysis of bio-based composites and nano-composites for different types of applications. The composites repair process is extremely complex, hence it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of damage mechanisms to apply the most suitable repair technique. Damage assessment using onsite inspection, e.g., NDT, THz techniques and the automated repair process for reliability and repeatability, are vital parameters when executing bonded composite repair. Furthermore, overall integrity and structural health monitoring of composites repair is also necessary. Features detailed information on damage detection, failure analysis and repair of advanced bio-polymer composites Emphasizes biocompatibility, degradation and recyclability of these materials Features key chapters on molecular dynamics, multi-scale modeling and self-healing Presents a roadmap for materials selection, processing and industrial utilization for a broad range of applications




Advances in Sustainable Polymer Composites


Book Description

Advances in Sustainable Polymer Composites reviews recent scientific findings on the production and use of sustainable polymers and composites as innovative new materials. The book discusses the importance of sustainable polymers in terms of current practices and how to address environmental and economic issues. Attention is focused on the physical, chemical and electrical properties of these composites. The book also looks at the lifecycle of both single and hybrid polymers and nanocomposites, with chapters covering the latest research findings on sustainable polymer composites with various filler loadings and their improvement on compatibility. From the viewpoint of polymer composites, this book covers not only well-known sustainable future trends in sustainable polymers and composites, but also advanced materials produced from micro, nano and pico-scale fillers that achieve better physical and mechanical results. - Features advanced materials produced from micro, nano and pico-scale fillers - Emphasizes the modeling and prediction of thermal, rheological and mechanical behavior - Covers various types of fillers and different reinforcement agents - Focuses on all aspects of fabrication, characterization and applications - Addresses sustainability approaches and solutions




Recycled Plastic Biocomposites


Book Description

Recycled plastic biocomposites have attracted widespread attention from both researchers and manufacturers due to the significant improvements in their physico-mechanical, thermal, rheological, and barrier properties when compared to conventional materials, as well as their potential regarding commercialization and zero waste. Recycled Plastic Biocomposites presents the latest information on recycled polymers, textiles, pulp and paper, wood plastic, rubber waste plastic, and micro and nano effects of recycled plastic waste resources that have great potential as reinforcement materials in composites because they are non-toxic, inexpensive, biodegradable, cost-effective, and available in large amounts. Recycled plastic biocomposites are now starting to be deployed in a broad range of materials applications due to their advantages over petroleum-based materials. Currently, there are no limits to the possibility of their applications. They also have exceptional sustainable and biodegradable properties when compared to conventional materials such as polymers and composites. Recycled Plastic Biocomposites reviews the latest research advances on recycled plastic-based biocomposites, including thermoplastic, thermoset, rubber, and foams. In addition, the book covers critical assessments on the economics of recycled plastic, including a cost-performance analysis that discusses its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material. The huge potential applications of recycled plastic in industry are also explored in detail with respect to low cost, recyclable and biodegradable properties, and the way they can be applied to the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. The life cycles of both single and hybrid recycled plastic-based polymer composites and biocomposites are also discussed in detail. From the viewpoint of recycled plastic-based polymer composites, the book covers not only the well-known role of recycled polymers and composites, but also advanced materials produced from micro-, nano-, and pico-scale fillers that achieve better physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. This book will be an essential reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists, and those working in polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing, and biocomposites. - Places an emphasis on micro-, nano-, and pico-scale fillers that significantly improve properties. - Discusses the most suitable fabrication methods, properties, and applications. - Features critical assessments on the economics of recycled plastic, including a cost-performance analysis that reviews its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material.




Polymer Matrix Composite Materials


Book Description

The book provides accessible and comprehensive information on polymer matrix composites. It presents the basic concept of design of composite materials. It includes chapters on materials testing and characterization, such as mechanical testing and thermal analysis, and lifetime prediction. It discusses both structural and functional applications. Offers comprehensive information on processing, properties and applications polymer matrix composites Presents and reviews the recent development in the field e.g. damage tolerant composites, biocomposites, additive manufacturing Includes latest techniques of performance evaluation and life time assessment of composite materials




Introduction of Continuous Fiber-reinforced Polymer


Book Description

To grow the application space of polymer additive manufacturing (AM), the industry must provide an offering with improved mechanical properties. Several entities are working towards introducing continuous fibers embedded into either a thermoplastic or thermoset resin system. This approach can enable significant improvement in mechanical properties and could be what is needed to open new and exciting applications within the aerospace industry. Introduction of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Polymer: A New Additive Manufacturing Path for Aerospace examines a couple of unsettled issues that are beginning to come to light regarding these materials and focuses on the ability to design and provide robust structural analysis for continuous fiber reinforced polymer AM—unsung aspects that can make or break this new technology as it finds its way into the aerospace market. Without solutions to them, adoption by the aerospace industry will be limited to point design applications, thus constraining the technology to being nothing more than a specialized tool. Click here to access The Mobility Frontier: Metals, Polymers, or Composites Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023019




Green Composites


Book Description

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. Reviews fibre reinforced polymer composite production Explains how environmental footprints can be diminished at every stage of the life-cycle




Going to Extremes


Book Description

Advanced polymer matrix composites (PMC) have many advantages such as light weight and high specific strength that make them useful for many aerospace applications. Enormous uncertainty exists, however, in predicting long-term changes in properties of PMCs under extreme environmental conditions, which has limited their use. To help address this issue, the Department of Defense requested a study from the NRC to identify the barriers and limitations to the use of PMCs in extreme environments. The study was to focus on issues surrounding methodologies for predicting long-term performance. This report provides a review of the challenges facing application of PMCs in extreme environments, the current understanding of PMC properties and behavior, an analysis of the importance of data in developing effective models, and recommendations for improving long-term predictive methodologies.




Generative Design in Aerospace and Automotive Structures


Book Description

Semi-automated computational design methods involving physics-based simulation, optimization, machine learning, and generative artificial intelligence (AI) already allow greatly enhanced performance alongside reduced cost in both design and manufacturing. As we progress, developments in user interfaces, AI integration, and automation of workflows will increasingly reduce the human inputs required to achieve this. With this, engineering teams must change their mindset from designing products to specifying requirements, focusing their efforts on testing and analysis to provide accurate specifications. Generative Design in Aerospace and Automotive Structures discusses generative design in its broadest sense, including the challenges and recommendations regarding multi-stage optimizations. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2024016