Applied Mechanics of Polymers: Properties, Processing, and Behavior provides readers with an overview of the properties, mechanical behaviors and modeling techniques for accurately predicting the behaviors of polymeric materials. The book starts with an introduction to polymers, covering their history, chemistry, physics, and various types and applications. In addition, it covers the general properties of polymers and the common processing and manufacturing processes involved with them. Subsequent chapters delve into specific mechanical behaviors of polymers such as linear elasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, viscoelasticity, failure, and fracture. The book concludes with chapters discussing electroactive polymers, hydrogels, and the mechanical characterization of polymers.

This is a useful reference text that will benefit graduate students, postdocs, researchers, and engineers in the mechanics of materials, polymer science, mechanical engineering and material science.

Natural fibers'' abundance, excellent properties, biodegradability, and low cost make this renewable resource a green alternative to synthetic fibers for composite material reinforcement. The need to create sustainable solutions has promoted applications in sports, transportation, armor, medicine, infrastructure, construction and building materials, and architecture. This collection promotes the use of natural materials and their composites as a possible strategy to increase environmental sustainability, as well as to study materials fundamentals for new applications. Topics include but are not limited to:

•           Properties and fundamentals of natural fibers

•           Surface modifications to improve properties

•           Biocomposite materials and potential contributions to sustainability

•           Durability, dynamic behavior, adhesion, impact response, mechanical, thermal, and other properties related to natural materials and their composites

Applied Mechanics of Polymers: Properties, Processing, and Behavior provides readers with an overview of the properties, mechanical behaviors and modeling techniques for accurately predicting the behaviors of polymeric materials. The book starts with an introduction to polymers, covering their history, chemistry, physics, and various types and applications. In addition, it covers the general properties of polymers and the common processing and manufacturing processes involved with them. Subsequent chapters delve into specific mechanical behaviors of polymers such as linear elasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, viscoelasticity, failure, and fracture. The book concludes with chapters discussing electroactive polymers, hydrogels, and the mechanical characterization of polymers.

This is a useful reference text that will benefit graduate students, postdocs, researchers, and engineers in the mechanics of materials, polymer science, mechanical engineering and material science.

Natural fibers'' abundance, excellent properties, biodegradability, and low cost make this renewable resource a green alternative to synthetic fibers for composite material reinforcement. The need to create sustainable solutions has promoted applications in sports, transportation, armor, medicine, infrastructure, construction and building materials, and architecture. This collection promotes the use of natural materials and their composites as a possible strategy to increase environmental sustainability, as well as to study materials fundamentals for new applications. Topics include but are not limited to:

•           Properties and fundamentals of natural fibers

•           Surface modifications to improve properties

•           Biocomposite materials and potential contributions to sustainability

•           Durability, dynamic behavior, adhesion, impact response, mechanical, thermal, and other properties related to natural materials and their composites