Blends life cycle assessment

Mata, T., Smith, R., Young, D. and Costa, C., 2003, Life cycle assessment of gasoline blending options, Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 3724-3732... 

This book on natural rubber presents a summary of the present state-of-the-art in the study of these versatile materials. The two volumes cover all the areas related to natural rubber, from its production to composite preparation, the various characterization techniques and life cycle assessment. Chapters in this book deal with both the science of natural rubber - its chemistry, production, engineering properties, and the wide-ranging applications of natural rubber in the modern world, from the manufacture of car tyres to the construction of earthquake protection systems for large buildings. Although there are a number of research publications in this field, to date, no systematic scientific reference book has been published specifically in the area of natural rubber as the main component in systems. We have developed the two volumes by focusing on the important areas of natural rubber materials, the blends, IPNs of natural rubber and natural rubber based composites and nanocomposites their preparation and characterization techniques. The books have also profoundly reviewed various classes of fillers like macro, micro and nano (ID, 2D and 3D) used in natural rubber industries. The applications and the life cycle analysis of these rubber based materials are also highlighted. 

Degradation is likely responsible for several damages to any rubber blend and is related to environmental impacts. Analysis of the life cycle and control of different degradation processes that blends, can be submitted to allows understanding of how many different phenomena occur. This understanding is essential to develop new blends where the properties of two or more polymers can be combined. This work covers some developments in life-cycle assessment, ageing and degradation behaviour of natural rubber-based blends and IPNs. 

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