Fully Green Elastomer Composites
In this chapter we will discuss the preparation of fully green elastomer composites. First we will define the term green and when we can classify a material as a green. Then we will discuss the alternatives for the replacement of major components of compo
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Abstract In this chapter we will discuss the preparation of fully green elastomer composites. First we will define the term green and when we can classify a material as a green. Then we will discuss the alternatives for the replacement of major components of composite materials, viz. filler and matrix, which are usually derived from non-renewable and synthetic materials, with materials from renewable sources. Finally we will describe some work in which fully green elastomer composites were studied.
1 The Green Concept The concept of ‘‘green’’, actually employed to describe the concept of sustainability and environmental friendliness, is not new. What is new is the use of this word, because the word green is a modern term used to describe the environmentalism movement that began in the nineteenth century and that was characterized as using, preserving and renewing the available resources. Briefly, a definition of environmentalism is the sustainable management of resources and the stewardship of the environment. In our days, the concept of what makes a product green is still evolving. There is no exact definition of the term green; on the contrary, there is some consideration of the benefit that the product brings to the environment. If a product improves the environment it can be considered a product with a degree of greenness. More specifically, a product is green if the impact on the environment is direct, measurable and intrinsic to the product. We can list some common criteria for classifying products as green: D. Pasquini (&) Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco-1D, Uberlândia MG, CEP: 38400-902, Brazil e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
P. M. Visakh et al. (eds.), Advances in Elastomers II, Advanced Structured Materials 12, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-20928-4_5, Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
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that have no toxic emissions; that save energy; made from recycled materials; made from industrial and agroforestry residues; that are biodegradable; made from renewable resources.
Despite the fact that many products that have no toxic emissions are not properly green, these products can usually be considered as green products because they generally replace a hazardous material. In the same way, products that save energy are also considered green. Although they are not intrinsically green, they have a positive impact on the environment. Nowadays, everyone knows what recycled products are and what their benefits are. Recycled materials have two direct impacts on the environment: (i) they reduce the emissions of residues and (ii) they also reduce the resource demand. As a consequence of these benefits, they can be classified as green materials. A product made from industrial and agroforestry residues reduces the resource demand. These residues include sugar cane bagasse, sugar cane straw, wood chips, sawdust, cere
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