Polymer composites find a large number of applications in such diverse fields as aerospace, chemical industry, geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging, and automobiles. New strategies for developing high performance composites are of growing interest.This first systematic reference on the topic authored by leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as
private research institutions across the globe emphasizes the characteristics and dimension of the reinforcement. Divided into three volumes
the first volume offers an introduction to polymer composites, discussing the state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities of various
polymer composite systems, as well as preparation and manufacturing techniques.
The authors, leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions across the globe,
adopt a practical approach, covering such aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties and theory of polymer composites.

PREFACEPART ONE INTRODUCTION TO POLYMER COMPOSITESADVANCES IN POLYMER COMPOSITES: MACRO- AND MICROCOMPOSITES - STATE OF THE ART, NEW CHALLENGES, AND PPORTUNITIESIntroductionClassification of CompositesInterface CharacterizationNew Challenges and OpportunitiesSHOCK AND IMPACT RESPONSE OF GLASS FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionAnalytical AnalysisPlate-Impact Experiments on GRPsTarget AssemblyExperimental Results and DiscussionSummaryINTERFACES IN MACRO- AND MICROCOMPOSITESIntroductionCharacterization of Interfaces in Macro- and MicrocompositesMicromechanics-Based AnalysisInterfacial Damage ModelingSummaryPREPARATION AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES FOR MACRO- AND MICROCOMPOSITESIntroductionThermoplastic Polymer CompositesThermosetting Polymer CompositesFuture TrendsPART TWO MACROSYSTEMS: FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESCARBON FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES: PREPARATION, PROPERTIES, AND APPLICATIONSIntroductionBackgroundsExperimental PartResults and DiscussionApplicationsConclusionsGLASS FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionChemical Composition and TypesFabrication of Glass FibersForms of Glass FibersGlass Fiber PropertiesGlass Fibers in Polymer CompositesApplicationsSummaryKEVLAR FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionFiber-Reinforced Polymer CompositesConstituents of Polymer CompositesKevlar FiberInterfaceFactors Influencing the Composite Properties Surface ModificationSynthetic Fiber-Reinforced CompositesEffect of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Short Kevlar Fiber on the Properties of Ethylene Propylene Matrix CompositesCompatibilizing Effect of MA-g-PP on the Properties of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Kevlar Fiber-Reinforced Ethylene Polypropylene CompositesProperties of Syndiotactic Polystyrene Composites with Surface-Modified Short Kevlar FiberStudy on the Mechanical, Rheological, and Morphological Properties of Short Kevlar Fiber/s-PS Composites Effect of Oxyfluorination of KevlarEffect of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Short Kevlar Fiber Reinforcement on the Properties of PC/LCP BlendsSimulation of Fiber Orientation by Mold Flow TechniqueKevlar-Reinforced Thermosetting CompositesPOLYESTER FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionSynthesis and Basic Properties of Polyester FibersPolyester Fiber-Reinforced Polymer CompositesConclusionsNYLON FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroduction Nylon Fibers Used as ReinforcementsMatrices and ApplicationsManufacturing of Nylon-Reinforced CompositesConclusionsPOLYOLEFIN FIBER- AND TAPE-REINFORCED POLYMERIC COMPOSITESIntroductionPolyolefin Fibers and TapesPolyolefin-Reinforced ThermoplasticsPolyolefin Fiber-Reinforced ThermosetsPolyolefin Fibers in RubbersOthersOutlook and Future TrendsSILICA FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionSilica Fiber: General FeaturesSilica Fiber-Filled Polymer CompositesApplicationsNew DevelopmentsConcluding RemarksPART THREE MACROSYSTEMS: TEXTILE COMPOSITES2D TEXTILE COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT MECHANICAL BEHAVIORIntroductionMechanical Behavior of 2D Textile Composite Reinforcements and Specific Experimental TestsContinuous Modeling of 2D Fabrics: Macroscopic ScaleDiscrete Modeling of 2D Fabrics: Mesoscopic ScaleConclusions and Future TrendTHREE DIMENSIONAL WOVEN FABRIC COMPOSITESIntroductionGeneral Characteristics of 3D CompositesFormation of 3D Woven FabricsModeling of 3D Woven CompositesFailure Behavior of 3D Woven CompositesRole of Interlacing LoopsDesign of 3D Woven CompositesConclusionsPOLYMER COMPOSITES AS GEOTEXTILESIntroductionDevelopments of Composite GeotextilesHybrid Composite GeotextilesPerformance Evaluation of Composite GeotextilesHYBRID TEXTILE POLYMER COMPOSITESIntroductionTextile CompositesHybrid Textile CompositesHybrid Textile JointsConclusionPART FOUR MICROSYSTEMS : MICROPARTICLE-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITESCHARACTERIZATION OF INJECTION-MOLDED PARTS WI