Bio-Based Polymers and Composites [Hardcover]

Richard Wool B.Sc. Chemistry (Honors Degree) Univ. College Cork Ireland 1970
M.S. Materials Science & Eng. University of Utah 1972
Ph.D. Materials Science & Eng. University of Utah 1974 (Author), Xiuzhi Susan Sun B.S. Agr Engineering Northeast Agricultural University China 1982
M.S. Agr Engineering Northeast AGricultural University China 1986
Ph.D. Agr. & Bio. Engineering University of Illinois Urbana IL 1993 (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0127639527 | ISBN-13: 978-0127639529 | Edition: 1

Bio-Based Polymers and Composites is the first book systematically describing the green engineering, chemistry and manufacture of biobased polymers and composites derived from plants.

This book gives a thorough introduction to bio-based material resources, availability, sustainability, biobased polymer formation, extraction and refining technologies, and the need for integrated research and multi-disciplinary working teams. It provides an in-depth description of adhesives, resins, plastics, and composites derived from plant oils, proteins, starches, and natural fibers in terms of structures, properties, manufacturing, and product performance. This is an excellent book for scientists, engineers, graduate students and industrial researchers in the field of bio-based materials.

* First book describing the utilization of crops to make high performance plastics, adhesives, and composites
* Interdisciplinary approach to the subject, integrating genetic engineering, plant science, food science, chemistry, physics, nano-technology, and composite manufacturing.
* Explains how to make green materials at low cost from soyoil, proteins, starch, natural fibers, recycled newspapers, chicken feathers and waste agricultural by-products.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book addresses the cost-effective use of many common crop plants to make high performance engineered materials." - Newark Post

"A "Green" book that will be a tremendous resource to polymer scientists and engineers, material scientists, and agricultural practitioners." J.E.Mark, Dept of Chemistry and the Polymer Research Center, University of Cincinnati, 2005

Book Description

An integrated treatment of bio-based engineered materials---from their basic chemistry and physical properties to mass manufacturing and real-world uses and applications.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (July 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0127639527
• ISBN-13: 978-0127639529
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bio-Based Polymers and Composites, August 28, 2005

By 

P.H. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bio-Based Polymers and Composites (Hardcover)

This is quite possibly the best-written technical book that I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in "sustainability" issues or use of renewable materials. This book describes the growing use of plant-based chemical feed-stocks and materials although there is also a chapter on the use of feather (chicken, turkey etc) reinforcement. The authors selected the material very nicely so that the subjects covered have a nice flow. Topics move from industrial-type separations processes to chemical modifications of oils, to blending materials to get desired properties, through to manufacturing and current products. There is also discussion and data comparing materials properties based on source and processing. Throughout the book never loses its "readability" or interest. I started the book with a lot of interest in the subject and finished it with even more interest in the subject, and that does not always happen. I have read other books in subjects that are of interest to me and yet lost interest in the book itself and thereafter used the book merely as a reference source. This book is one I quickly decided I would read from cover to cover. It does assume basic familiarity with chemical terminology and some technical background but I think anyone with a bachelor level background in chemistry or chemical engineering or some materials-related field will have no difficulty with the treatment of the subject matter. Modern industry is highly dependent on non-renewable resources, and the polymer industry specifically is largely dependent on petroleum-based feedstocks. I think every materials educator, researcher, formulator or manufacturer should start learning about bio-based materials since they are certain to become increasingly important to our economy, and I think this book is not only the first to deal with the subject, but even as other books become available, I believe this will remain the best for quite some time.