Green composites: Versatile material for future

Abstract

The growing concern towards environmental problems and the urgent need for more versatile environmental friendly materials has led to increasing attention about polymer composites, i.e. fillers/reinforcing materials coming from renewable sources and biodegradable, especially from forest. The composites usually referred to as “green”, can find several industrial applications as discussed in this chapter. Biodegradable polymers coming from natural resources are also one important constituent of green composites. This chapter provides tactic for readers regarding the materials used for the fabrication and specific application of green composites in various fields. Furthermore, a discussion of the major material attributes of green composites is provided. From these focuses, a series of balancing application properties are explained. The chapter concludes that green composites have potential for use in a number of applications, but as with all design, one must carefully match the material to the application.