Abstract
I write this Editorial note as the Guest Editor for Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites (JRPC) and the Organizing Committee of 9th International Conference on Materials Science and Technology (MSAT), held in 14–15 December 2016, Bangkok Thailand, and 2017 Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference (PACCON 2017), held in 2–3 February 2017, Bangkok Thailand. Together with technical chairmen from the Materials Science and Engineering sections of these two conferences, we selected some excellent papers, submitted for presentations in the conferences, and invited the authors of the selected presentations to submit their full length papers to the JRPC for consideration for publication in a special issue on Reinforced Polymers and Advanced Composites. All the full-length papers were then peer reviewed by the Editor as well as two independent referees before final acceptance. Eventually, we have five accepted papers authored and co-authored by three different countries from America, Europe, and Asia. The papers in this special issue cover reinforcements of various polymers including thermoplastics, thermosets, and rubbers, by both synthetic and natural fillers, which fitted well with the scope of the journal. These papers include: Potential of kaolin as reinforcing filler for rubber composites with new sulfur cure systems, All-cellulose composite laminates prepared from pineapple leaf fibers treated with steam explosion and alkaline treatment, Fracture behavior of silica nanoparticles-reinforced rubber/epoxy composite, Mechanical, optical and photochromic properties of polycarbonate composites reinforced with nano-WO3 particles, and Compressive load, thermal and acoustic properties of wood/PVC composite log-wall panels. These selected articles published in this special issue mainly cover composite materials that are associated with the service requirements of specific applications areas, such as automotive materials, agricultural waste reductions, adhesives for aerospace and electronic devices, solar radiation applications, and building materials and construction.
On behalf of the JRPC editors, I would like to thank the Chairmen of the MSAT and PACCON conferences for their participations in selecting high potential papers for this special issue. My sincere appreciation also goes to the authors of all published papers for their excellent works, and to the referees who put the great efforts and participations in the peer review process for ensuring the scientific quality of the submitted works. I do hope that the readers of the JRPC journal will find this special issue help advancing the reinforced polymers research to industrial and service applications.
Polymer PROcessing and Flow (P-PROF) Research Group, School of Energy, Environment and Materials,
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
(KMUTT), Thongkru, Bangmod, Bangkok 10140,
Thailand