Peng-Cheng Ma - Böcker

Basalt fiber possesses many superior properties, such as excellent mechanical properties, high resistance to the chemical, temperature and environmental attacks, and outstanding electrical and sound insulation. In addition, it is cost-effective and environmentally friendly because the raw materials are widely found in nature and the fiber can be discarded into the environment without any negative effect. Basalt fiber has attracted great attention as reinforcement for composites in recent years, and developed materials have been extensively used in transportation, automobile, aerospace, and civil engineering.Despite its many attractive attributes, and the contributions of basalt fiber, there are still numerous challenges to be addressed in terms of preparation, properties, and application. In addition, some of the merits of this high-performance fiber reported in the literature are usually inconsistent and incomplete, where intuition often prevails over rationality.High Performance Basalt Fiber: Fundamentals and Applications provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the latest developments in this important research field. It offers a complete and thorough analysis of the correlation between the structure and properties of basalt fiber, as well as key methods and technologies for the preparation and application of this fiber and it related composites. There is also a detailed overview of the history of basalt fiber, as well functionalization and recent state-of-art progress on basalt fiber and its corresponding composites. The book will thus fill a gap in the field, in terms of not only covering the theory but more importantly the latest technologies.Covers key challenges that need to be addressed in terms of preparation, properties, and application of basalt fiber and basalt fiber reinforced compositesIllustrates the factors affecting the mechanical properties of basalt fibers to obtain high-performanceCovers the preparation technology of basalt fiber, and the relationship between its structure and propertiesLooks at different fiber surface treatment technologies, as well as application of basalt fiber-reinforced composites and their productsCovers fundamental aspects to real applications

Discovered in the twentieth century, carbon nanotubes (CNT) were an integral part of science and industry by the beginning of the twenty first century, revolutionizing chemistry, physics, and materials science. More recent advances in carbon nanotube production methods have resulted in a tremendous push to incorporate CNTs into polymer matrices. Although many advances have been made, two major obstacles continue unresolved: the enhancement of interfacial adhesion between CNTs and polymer matrix, and the improvement of dispersion of CNTs in polymers. Both substantial original contributors to the field, the authors present Carbon Nanotubes for Polymer Reinforcement, the first monograph on various conventional and innovative techniques to disperse and functionalize carbon nanotubes for polymer reinforcement, elegantly explaining the basic sciences and technologies involved in those processes. Topics covered include: Use of CNTs in fabricating novel polymer compositesPrinciples and mechanisms behind CNT dispersion and functionalizationMethods for the functionalization and dispersion of CNTs in polymer matricesEffects of CNTs on functional and mechanical properties of polymer compositesOptimization of CNT/polymer nanocomposite fabricationCarbon Nanotubes for Polymer Reinforcement is a comprehensive treatment and critical review of the new class of polymer nanocomposites, and points to areas of future developments. Composites engineers, scientists, researchers, and students will find the basic knowledge and technical results contained herein informative and useful references for their work, whether for advanced research or for design and manufacture of such composites.