Waste recycling is one of the key aspects in current day studies to boost the country’s circular economy. Recycling wood from construction and demolished structures and combining it with plastics forms wood-polymer composites (WPC) which have a very wide scope of usage. Such recycled composites have very low environmental impact in terms of abiotic potential, global warming potential, and greenhouse potential. Processing of WPCs can be easily done with predetermined strength values that correspond to its end application. Yet, the usage of conventional polymer composite manufacturing techniques such as injection molding and extrusion has very limited scope. Many rheological characterization techniques are being followed to evaluate the influence of formulation and process parameters over the quality of final WPCs. It will be very much interesting to carry out a review on the material formulation of WPCs and additives used. Manufacturing of wood composites can also be made by using bio-based adhesives such as lignin, tannin, and so on. Nuances in complete replacement of synthetic adhesives as bio-based adhesives are also discussed by various researchers which can be done only by complete understanding of formulating factors of bio-based adhesives. Wood composites play a significant role in many non-structural and structural applications such as construction, floorings, windows, and door panels. The current review focuses on the processing of WPCs along with additives such as wood flour and various properties of WPCs such as mechanical, structural, and morphological properties. Applications of wood-based composites in various sectors such as automotive, marine, defense, and structural applications are also highlighted in this review.

The demand for stainless steel in technical applications has increased to improve the wear resistance of pump components in chemical and industrial operations. But, the stainless steel is in desperate condition to withstand the wear under fatigue loading. Hence, surface modification to attain higher-order wear resistance is a growing trend in research. This study examines the surface modification of a Martensitic Stainless Steel (MSS) alloy by a nickel- and chromium-based Inconel 617 alloy coating applied through three different techniques: Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), and Metal Inert Gas (MIG) cladding techniques. The cladded subsurface microstructure is studied for possible grain structure improvements and defects. The porosity measurement results reveal the rich oxide formation, followed by more micro-pores and microcracks for MIG cladded ones. The effect of coating technique on wear performance of the coating is investigated through statistical modelling to rank the prominent wear resistance coatings associated with the ideal wear parameters. The statistical results declare the excellence in wear resistance of APS coating by registering 84.92% and 51.05% reductions in wear rate than MIG and TIG depositions, respectively. The confirmation experiments are conducted to validate the statistical findings. The post-worn-out surface analysis corroborates the phenomenon of wear being driven by adhesive-initiated two and three-body abrasive wear mechanisms.

This book chapter delves into the realm of sustainable approaches for fabricating metal matrix composites (MMCs). It explores a range of methodologies aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency in MMC manufacturing. The chapter examines various strategies, including the utilization of renewable materials, implementation of green chemistry principles, adoption of lean manufacturing practices, integration of closed-loop systems, and promotion of circular economy approaches. Through a synthesis of experimental results and industry insights, the chapter demonstrates the effectiveness of these sustainable approaches in minimizing waste generation, conserving resources, and enhancing overall sustainability in MMC fabrication processes. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges and opportunities inherent in sustainable MMC fabrication and outlines future research directions to advance the field further. This chapter serves as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers seeking to adopt sustainable practices in MMC manufacturing. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->