Bio–Based Epoxy Polymers, Blends and Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Characterization and Applications, Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai, Sanjay M. Rangapp

The book presents nine EOS theories, including some that take into account molecular weight effects. Characteristic values are given in tables. It uses the binary interaction model to predict the compositional window of miscibility for copolymer/homopolymer blends and blends of copolymers and terpolymers with common monomers. It discusses Hansen fractional solubility parameter values, six phase diagram types, the role of polymer architecture in phase behavior, and the mathematical framework for multiple glass transition temperatures found in partially miscible polymer blends. The author also illustrates biomedical and commercial applications of nanocomposites, the properties of various polymer alloys, Fick's laws of diffusion and their implications during transient events, and the use of the dynamic programming method in the sequence alignment of DNA and proteins. The final chapter reviews the thermodynamics of reversible polymerization and copolymerization.

Polymer blends offer improved performance/cost ratios and the flexibility to tailor products to suit customers' needs. Exploring physical phenomena, such as phase separation, this book provides readers with methods to design polymer blends and predict the phase behavior of binary polymer blends using desktop computers.

Used in a wide variety of materials engineering applications, epoxy composites are highly relevant to the work of engineers and scientists in many fields. Recent developments have allowed for significant advancements in their preparation, processing and characterization that are highly relevant to the aerospace and automobile industry, among others.

In Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications, a distinguished team of authors and editors deliver a comprehensive and straightforward summary of the most recent developments in the area of epoxy composites. The book emphasizes their preparation, characterization and applications, providing a complete understanding of the correlation of rheology, cure reaction, morphology, and thermo-mechanical properties with filler dispersion.

Readers will learn about a variety of topics on the cutting-edge of epoxy composite fabrication and characterization, including smart epoxy composites, theoretical modeling, recycling and environmental issues, safety issues, and future prospects for these highly practical materials.

Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of:

• A thorough introduction to epoxy composites, their synthesis and manufacturing, and micro- and nano-scale structure formation in epoxy and clay nanocomposites
• An exploration of long fiber reinforced epoxy composites and eco-friendly epoxy-based composites
• Practical discussions of the processing of epoxy composites based on carbon nanomaterials and the thermal stability and flame retardancy of epoxy composites
• An analysis of the spectroscopy and X-ray scattering studies of epoxy composites

Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and mechanical engineers, Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of engineering scientists working in industry and process engineers seeking a comprehensive and exhaustive resource on epoxy composites.

Many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of soy-based blends, composites and bionanocomposites are presented in this book. In addition to introducing soy protein and its structure and relationship properties, the book covers many other relevant topics such as the state-of-the-art, new challenges, advances and opportunities in the field such as: biomedical applications of soy protein; electrospinning of soy protein nanofibers, their synthesis and applications; soy protein-based materials rheology; soy proteins as a potential source of active peptides of nutraceutical significance; soy protein isolate-based films; and use of soy protein-based carriers for encapsu lating bioactive ingredients.