Natural Fiber-Reinforced Biodegradable and Bioresorbable Polymer Composites

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Biodegradable and Bioresorbable Polymer Composites focuses on key areas of fundamental research and applications of biocomposites. Several key elements that affect the usage of these composites in real-life applications are discussed. There will be a comprehensive review on the different kinds of biocomposites at the beginning of the book, then the different types of natural fibers, bio-polymers, and green nanoparticle biocomposites are discussed as well as their potential for future development and use in engineering biomedical and domestic products.

Recently mankind has realized that unless the environment is protected, he himself will be threatened by the over consumption of natural resources as well as a substantial reduction in the amount of fresh air produced in the world. Conservation of forests and the optimal utilization of agricultural and other renewable resources like solar, wind, and tidal energy, have become important topics worldwide. With such concern, the use of renewable resources—such as plant and animal-based, fiber-reinforced polymeric composites—are now becoming an important design criterion for designing and manufacturing components for a broad range of different industrial products.

Research on biodegradable polymeric composites can contribute, to some extent, to a much greener and safer environment. For example, in the biomedical and bioengineering fields, the use of natural fiber mixed with biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers can produce joint and bone fixtures to alleviate pain in patients.

• Includes comprehensive information about the sources, properties, and biodegradability of natural fibers
• Discusses failure mechanisms and modeling of natural fibers composites
• Analyzes the effectiveness of using natural materials for enhancing mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties

R&D managers in the textile industry; postgraduate students and academic researchers in textile science

1. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer-based composites

• Abstract
• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Silkworm silk fiber
• 1.3 Chicken feather fiber
• 1.4 Conclusion
• References

2. Particleboards from agricultural lignocellulosics and biodegradable polymers prepared with raw materials from natural resources

• Abstract
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Composites: Types, production, and advantages over raw wood
• 2.3 Biodegradable and Bioresourceable polymeric materials
• 2.4 Agricultural materials used in composites
• 2.5 Review of particleboards manufactured with agricultural materials and biodegradeable/bioresourceable polymers in the last decade
• 2.6 Applications—Market
• 2.7 Conclusions
• References

3. Green composites made from cellulose nanofibers and bio-based epoxy: Processing, performance, and applications

• Abstract
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 How to prepare the cellulose-based aerogel preform
• 3.3 Making cellulose nanocomposite
• 3.4 Mechanical, microstructural, and tribological characterization
• 3.5 Sample results obtained from mechanical, microstructural, and tribological tests
• References

4. Biodegradable fiber-reinforced polymer composites for construction applications

• Abstract
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Polymer composites for construction applications
• 4.3 Polymer stabilized earth blocks
• 4.4 Analysis of the influence of the fiber type
• 4.5 Life cycle assessment of polymer composite blocks
• 4.6 Future trends
• Acknowledgments
• References

5. Bleached kraft softwood fibers reinforced polylactic acid composites, tensile and flexural strengths

• Abstract
• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Materials and methods
• 5.3 Results and discussion
• 5.4 Conclusions
• References

6. Silk for sustainable composites

• Abstract
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Silk as a particulate reinforcement in biofoams
• 6.3 Nonwoven and woven silk laminate composites
• 6.4 Evaluating the sustainability of silk and it composites
• Acknowledgments
• References

7. Effects of cellulose nanowhiskers preparation methods on the properties of hybrid montmorillonite/cellulose nanowhiskers reinforced polylactic acid nanocomposites

• Abstract
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Materials and methods
• 7.3 Testing and characterization
• 7.4 Results and discussion
• 7.5 Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

8. Bio-based resins for fiber-reinforced polymer composites

• Abstract
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 Biophenolic resins
• 8.3 Bio-based epoxy resins
• 8.4 Bio-based polyurethane (BPU)
• 8.5 Cellulose acetate
• 8.6 Biopolyesters
• 8.7 Biopolyolefins
• 8.8 Summary and future perspectives of bioresins
• Acknowledgments
• References

9. Processing of lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced biodegradable composites

• Abstract
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Challenges in primary processing of LFBC
• 9.3 Processing of biocomposites
• 9.4 Conclusions
• References