Multifunctionality of Polymer Composites: Challenges and Applications

by Ulf Breuer (Editor), Bernd Wetzel (Editor), Martin Gurka (Editor)

Overview

Multifunctionality of Polymer Composites: Challenges and Applications, Second Edition, brings together contributions from experts in the field of multifunctionality, presenting state-of-the-art discussion on the possible routes to achieve multifunctionality in reinforced polymers and composite structures, as well as their application in various industries. This new edition has been revised and expanded to include the latest advances, new materials, and applications that have emerged in recent years, and includes new chapters on self-healing composites, thermoelectric generators, vitrimers, morphing composites, and sliding materials. The text will enable engineers and materials scientists to achieve multifunctionality in their own products using different types of polymer matrices and various nano- and micro-sized fillers and reinforcements, including carbon nanotubes and graphene. In addition, technologies for the integration of active materials such as shape memory alloys are discussed. The latest developments in a wide range of applications, including automotive/aerospace, electronics, construction, medical engineering, and future trends are discussed, making this book an essential reference for any researcher or engineer seeking to stay ahead in this high-potential area.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780443288722
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	09/29/2025
Series:	Plastics Design Library
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	1114
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Prof. Breuer is Scientific Managing Director at the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW), Germany. After studying mechanical engineering and completing his doctorate on thermoplastic processing technology of composite materials in 1997 at Kaiserslautern, he has worked for 13 years in various positions at Airbus in structural technology on the development of advanced wings, high-lift structures and fuselage structures made of composite materials. In 2010 he joined the IVW where he has been leading the Institute of Composite Materials. Prof. Breuer is head of the specialist division "Materials and Manufacturing Technology" in the German Aerospace Society, and his research interests include composite aircraft structures, function-integrated high-performance composites, and forming of organo sheets.

Dr Wetzel is a Scientific Director Materials Science at the Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW), Germany. He has studied mechanical engineering with major focus on materials, damage theory and energy systems at the University of Karlsruhe. After conducting his Diploma Thesis at the California Institute of Technology, USA, he graduated in 1999. he also conducted research in China and received his doctorate degree from the University of Kaiserslautern in 2006. Dr Wetzel currently manages the "Tailored Thermosets & Biomaterials" group at the IVW, and his research interests include multifunctional thermosets, nanocomposites, tribology, fracture mechanics, and structure-property relationships.

Dr Gurka is a material scientist with profound experience in multifunctional materials, holding several patents. He studied physics at the University of Heidelberg and received his PhD in 1998. After working for several years in industry on the development of multifunctional materials, systems and associated production processes, he joined the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW), Germany, in 2010 and heads the " Smart Composites & Nondestructive Testing " group. Dr Gurka is deputy head of the materials science department. His research interests include multifunctional composite materials, material-integrated actuators and sensors, and non-destructive materials testing.

Table of Contents

Section I: Introduction to Multifunctional Polymer Composites
1. Routes for achieving multifunctionality in reinforced polymers and composite structures
2. Multifunctional composites modelling
3. Composite Recycling Technologies

Section II: Use of Special Matrices/Reinforcements/Interphases
4. Natural fibers: Their composites and flamability characterizations
5. Multifunctionality with wood-plastic composites
6. Multifunctional Delignified and Compacted Wood
7. Nanocomposites
8. Multifunctional nanobiocomposites of biodegradable polylactide and nanoclay
9. Expanded graphite as a multifunctional filler for polymer nanocomposites
10. Mechanical properties of multifunctional foam core materials
11. Reactive compatibilization in technology of poly(alkylene terephthalate)-based composites: Polyester blends, short fiber-filled materials, and nanomaterials
12. Multifunctional interphases in polymer composites

Section III: Applications
Part I: Transportation
13. Development of multifunctional composites for aerospace application
14. Lightweight structural composites with electromagnetic applications
15. Carbon and metal-fiber-reinforced airframe structures
16. Multifunctional carbon nanotube-based nano-composites for aerospace applications

Part II: Tribology
17. Multifunctionality of nonasbestos organic brake materials
18. Multifunctionality of Sliding Materials
19 .Multifunctional polymeric composites with wear-resistant, toughening, and self-healing features

Part III: Electrical Components
20. Multifunctional structural battery and supercapacitor composites
21. High-performance electrospun nanostructured composite fiber anodes for lithium–ion batteries
22. Multifunctional SMA-based composites for aerospace applications

Section IV: Smart Materials and Future Trends
23. Active hybrid structures made of shape memory alloys and fiber-reinforced composites
24. Self-healing composites
25. Vascular composites
26. Programmable composites
27. Self-sensing carbon nanotube composites: processing and characterization
28. Thermoelectric generator composites
29. New functions in polymer composites using a nanoparticle-modified matrix
30. Composite materiomics: Multi length scale hierarchical composites for structural and tissue engineering applications

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From the Publisher

Combines fundamental knowledge with the latest findings in the field of multifunctionality of polymer composites, including mechanical, interfacial, and thermophysical properties, manufacturing techniques, and characterization methods