This Handbook is the first to explore the extensive applications
made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive,
biomedical, and construction industries.
Bioplastics and biocomposites are becoming increasingly prominent
because synthetic plastics and glass fiber composites are neither
sustainable nor environmentally friendly.
The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications
brings together scientists from academia and industry to report on
current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites
arena. This new science is interdisciplinary and integrates pure and
applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science.
The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications: Packaging;
Civil Engineering; Biomedical; Automotive; General Engineering.
The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing,
characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and
biodegradable polymers and composites including:
- Polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB),
guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based
bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene,
chitosan, etc.
- Thermoplastic and thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a
focus on the automobile industry.
- The ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends,
and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural
fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and
natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers).
- Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for
the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering
applications.
The Handbook will be of central interest to engineers, scientists and
researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites,
biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials
science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many
industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food
packaging.
