Vinyl Ester-Based Biocomposites

Vinyl Ester-Based Biocomposites provides a comprehensive review of the recent developments, characterization, and applications of natural fiber-reinforced vinyl ester biocomposites. It also addresses the importance of natural fiber reinforcement on the mechanical, thermal, and interfacial properties.

The book explores the widespread applications of natural fibre-reinforced vinyl ester composites ranging from the aerospace sector, automotive parts, construction and building materials, sports equipment, to household appliances. Investigating the moisture absorption and ageing on the physio-chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the vinyl ester-based composites, this book also considers the influence of hybridization, fibre architecture, and fiber-ply orientation.

The book serves as a useful reference for researchers, graduate students, and engineers in the field of polymer composites.

Part I: Characterization of Biocomposites. 1. Introduction to vinyl ester resin: Synthesis, Curing behavior, and their properties. 2. Tensile, flexural and interfacial properties of the vinyl ester based biocomposites. 3. Thermal properties of the vinyl ester based biocomposites. 4. Tribological properties of the vinyl ester based biocomposites. 5. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of wood fibre on the physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. 6. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of agro wastes on the thermal and mechanical properties. 7. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of hybridization on the mechanical and thermal properties. 8. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of alkali treatment on the thermal and mechanical properties. 9. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of moisture absorption on the physical, thermal and mechanical properties. 10. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of accelerated weathering on the physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. 11. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of soil burial on the physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. Part II: Characterization of Bionanocomposites. 12. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of CNT nanofillers on the thermal and mechanical properties. 13. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of nanoclay on the thermal and mechanical properties. 14. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of graphene nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical properties. 15. Vinyl ester based biocomposites: Influence of nanocellulose fillers on the thermal and mechanical properties. 16. Natural fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites: Influence of silica nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical properties. 17. Fire retardant characteristics of the vinyl ester based bionanocomposites. 18. Vinyl ester based biocomposites for various applications.

Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Tamil Nadu, India. In 2004, he earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Tamil Nadu. In 2007, he graduated from Anna University, Chennai with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2009, he obtained his Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore. In 2018, he earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Biocomposites, at KARE. He completed postdoctoral research in the Materials and Production Engineering Department at the Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), KMUTNB, Thailand in the year 2019. He started his academic career in 2010 as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at KARE. He is a member of the International Association of Advanced Materials. His research interests include biodegradable polymer composites and their characterization. He has authored several articles in peer-reviewed international journals, book chapters, and in conference proceedings. He has edited books on the different themes of biocomposites published by CRC Press, John Wiley, and Springer. He is an Editorial Board Member of the ARAI Journal of Mobility Technology and a Reviewer Editor in the journal Frontier in Materials. He also serves as a reviewer for various journals, including the Journal of Industrial Textiles, Journal of Cleaner Production, Materials Today Communications, Journal of Polymers and the Environment, SN Applied Sciences, Mechanics of Composite Materials, and International Journal of Polymer Science.

Chandrasekar Muthukumar, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, C