This book provides a clear understanding of the present state and growing utility of biocomposites. It discusses the combination of fibers such as flax, jute, bamboo, pineapple leaf and oil palm fibers, kenaf, and industrial hemp with polymer matrices from both non-renewable and renewable sources. It also covers the chemical nature, testing, biological synthesis, and properties of natural fibers in comparison to traditional materials as well as their cumulative properties when combined with various polymers to produce composite materials that are competitive with synthetic composites. Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites integrates the principles of sustainability, industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry and engineering into the development of the next generation of materials, products, and processes.

From the Preface: “...Natural fibers are now emerging as viable alternatives to glass fibers either alone or combined in composite materials for various applications in automotive parts, building structures and rigid packaging materials. The advantages of natural fibers over synthetic or man-made fibers such as glass are low cost, low density, competitive specific mechanical properties, carbon dioxide sequestration, sustainability, recyclability, and biodegradability...”

Target Audience: Researchers and technologists in industry and academia who are interested in the development and applications of biopolymers and biocomposites.

Table of Contents:

Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites: An Introduction

Plant Fibers as Reinforcements for Green Concrete

Processing of Bast Fiber Plants for Industrial Application

Recent Developments in Retting and Measurement of Fiber Quality in Natural Fibers: Pro and Cons

Alternative Low-Cost Biomass for the Biocomposites Industry

Fiber—Matrix Adhesion in Natural Fiber Composites

Natural Fiber Composites in Automotive Applications

Natural Fiber Composites for Building Applications

Thermoset Biocomposites

Thermoplastic Wood Fiber Composites

Bamboo-Based Ecocomposites and Their Potential Applications

Oil Palm Fiber—Thermoplastic Composites

Natural Fiber—Rubber Composites and Their Applications

Straw-Based Biomass and Biocomposites

Sorona Polymer: Present Status and Future Perspectives

Polylactic Acid Technology

Polylactide-Based Biocomposites

Bacterial Polyester-Based Biocomposites: A Review

Cellulose Fiber-Reinforced Cellulose Esters: Biocomposites for the Future

Starch Polymers: Chemistry, Engineering, and Novel Products

Lignin-Based Polymer Blends and Biocomposite Materials

Soy Protein-Based Plastics, Blends, and Composites

Synthesis, Properties, and Potential Applications of Novel Thermoforming Biopolymers from Soybean and Other Natural Oils

Houses Using Soy Oil and Natural Fibers Biocomposites

Biobased Polyurethanes and Their Composites: Present Status and Future Perspective

Cellulose-Based Nanocomposites

How Sustainable Are Biopolymers and Biobased Products? The Hope, the Doubts, and the Reality

Index