Elsevier Recycled Polymers and their Composites: Processing, Properties and Applications (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering)

Recycled Polymers and Their Composites: Processing, Properties and Applications provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the full life cycle of recycled polymeric materials and their composites, with a particular focus on their development, characterization, and implementation across a wide range of applications. This book presents a comprehensive exploration through recycled polymers and polymer-based composites, from the mechanical and thermal recycling of short and long fibers to the processing of recycled thermoplastic composites, waste rubber, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyolefin systems. It also explores the mechanical and thermal properties of recycled plastics and their composites, comparative analyses of recycled and virgin elastomers, and emerging pathways for transforming recycled polymers into high-value materials. Further chapters highlight advanced applications in additive manufacturing, filtration membranes, energy storage systems, and circular economy solutions for biomedical waste. Organized into two sections, the book first examines the core principles, recycling routes, and reprocessing strategies that underpin the recovery of polymer materials. The second section focuses on materials, properties, and advanced applications, with detailed discussions of recycled plastics, rubber, and composites, as well as their use in innovative technologies and sustainable product development. By combining scientific depth with practical relevance, this book offers readers a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of recycled polymer systems. Highlights the role of recycled fiber reinforcements in fibrous composite systems across a wide range of applications Presents the latest advances in composite recycling technologies, including fiber recycling methods, material formulation, and manufacturing processes Addresses life cycle assessment methodologies applied to recycled fibers and recycled fibrous composites Provides real-world application case studies spanning packaging, building and construction, aerospace, automotive, additive manufacturing, and healthcare