This book explores the flammability characteristics and fire-retardant mechanism of the natural fiber-based composites and biocomposites reinforced with the various fire retardant fillers based on the thermoset, thermoplastic and elastomers. Biocomposites are increasingly viewed as viable alternatives to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites for low- to medium-strength application. However, certain applications may involve the use of such material in elevated temperatures and conditions where the material can be subjected to fire during its service life. Thus, it is essential to understand the thermal decomposition characteristics and fire response of the biocomposites with respect to the type of fiber reinforcements and type of matrix. The book also explores post-fire mechanical properties of the composites. This book is intended for researchers and industrial practitioners who specialize in developing new materials for fire-resistant and low thermal degradation properties.
Dr. Chandrasekar Muthukumar is presently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, India. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India. His Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering was from Nanyang Technological University-TUM ASIA, Singapore. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia. His Ph.D. was funded through a research grant from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. During his association with the UPM, he obtained an internal research fund from the University worth 16,000 MYR and 20,000 MYR, respectively. His research interests include Fiber Metal Laminate (FML), natural fibers, biocomposites, aging, and their characterization. He has published 150+ research articles in reputed SCI journals, authored, and co-authored book chapters and conference proceeding articles. He was featured in the Top 2% Scientist list released by Stanford University, USA for the year 2023.
Dr. Mohammad Jawaid is currently working as a Senior Fellow (Professor) at Biocomposite Technology Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, and also has been a visiting professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since June 2013. He has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and industries. His area of research interests includes hybrid composites, lignocellulosic reinforced/filled polymer composites, advance materials: graphene/nanoclay/fire retardant, modification and treatment of lignocellulosic fibers and solid wood, biopolymers and biopolymers for packaging applications, nanocomposites and nanocellulose fibers, and polymer blends. So far, he has published 55 books, 75 book chapters, more than 400 peer-reviewed international journal papers, and several published review papers under top highly cited articles in ScienceDirect.
Senthil Kumar Krishnasamy, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2005. He earned a master’s degree in CAD/CAM at Anna University, Tirunelveli, in 2009. He earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Kalasalingam University in 2016. From 2010 to 2018, Dr. Krishnasamy worked in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), India. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, and King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) under the research topics of experimental investigations on mechanical, morphological, thermal, and structural properties of kenaf fiber/mat epoxy composites and sisal composites and fabrication of eco-friendly hybrid green composites on tribological properties in a medium-scale application.
Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Tamil Nadu, India. In 2004, he earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Tamil Nadu. In 2007, he graduated from Anna University, Chennai, with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2009, he obtained his Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore. In 2018, he earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Biocomposites, at KARE. He completed postdoctoral research in the Materials and Production Engineering Department at the Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), KMUTNB, Thailand, in the year 2019. He started his academic career in 2010 as Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at KARE.
Carlo Santulli is an Associate Professor at the School of Science and Technology in Universitą di Camerino, Italy. Here, he lectures on materials science, natural fibers and biocomposites, waste management, and environmental sustainability. He owns a M.Sc. in chemical engineering (Universitą La Sapienza, 1991), an M.A. in arts (modern history) (Universitą La Sapienza, 2001), an M.Sc. in Environmental Decision Making (EDM) (Open University, 2004), and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering (University of Liverpool, 2000). His research interests over 35+ have been composites, natural fibers, biopolymers, agro- and food waste management, and biomimetics. He is a referee for over 80 journals in various fields concerning materials science and sustainability. He has been an invited Professor in various universities in India, Malaysia, and across Europe.
