There are few complete technical sources of information available for plastic injection moulders to use relating to automation. This review has been compiled by researching and analysing technical references. It is intended to describe the basics of the technology and to explain how to put the technology to use. The review is supplemented by an indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Polymer Library.

A very important factor in obtaining optimised physical properties from a semi-crystalline polymer is the size of the crystalline structures present in the material, and this crucially depends on the initiation process of crystallisation of the polymer from the melt - nucleation. This review provides information on the development of materials and methods for influencing the nucleation of polymer crystallisation in commercial processing by means of addition of low levels of adjuvants specifically selected for this purpose.

Annotation The review focuses on the use of pharmaceutical polymer for controlled drug delivery applications. Examples of pharmaceutical polymers and the principles of controlled drug delivery are outlined and applications of polymers for controlled drug delivery are described. The field of controlled drug delivery is vast therefore this review aims to provide an overview of the applications of pharmaceutical polymers. The review is accompanied by approximately 250 abstracts taken from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library database, to facilitate further reading on this subject.

This review sets out to describe the types of flame retardants available for compounding into plastics materials, mechanisms of action and uses. This review provides a clear overview of the state-of-the-art of flame retardancy for plastics. It highlights the new developments and the potential problems with legislation, together with the benefits to end users of protection from fire hazards. This review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library.

Technical d104iles are high performance speciality materials. Applications are found in inflatable structures, tents, as reinforcement in composites for construction, as body armour and vehicle protection, in filters, as a base for flexible printed circuits, hose, conveyor belts and tyres. Polymer Enhancement of Technical d104iles examines the potential for these materials. The review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library database.

This report focuses on in-line cure monitoring as a key way of optimising production. The bulk of this review is devoted to coverage of the range of techniques used for cure monitoring. Consideration is also given to other topics relevant to the implementation of cure monitoring processes. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.

Annotation A wide variety of plastics are used in food-contact applications and it is important that such plastics do not affect the food with which they come into contact. The objective of food packaging legislation is to protect the consumer by controlling the contamination of food by chemicals transferred from the packaging. Food packaging regulations are constantly under revision, and differ significantly between Europe and the USA. This report provides a clearly written summary of the current legislation surrounding the use of plastics in contact with food. It discusses the plastics used in food packaging, their characteristics and applications. This review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library database.

This report presents an overview of the chemical analysis of thermosets. Materials based on thermosets present the analyst with considerable challenges due to their complexity and the wide range of polymer types and additives available. This review sets out to present an introduction to the analytical techniques and methods that are used to characterise and carry out quality control work on thermosets, investigate the failure of thermosets products and to deformulate thermoset compounds. The review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library database, to facilitate further reading on this subject.

This report describes the current state-of-the-art in mixing from a practical viewpoint. It begins by offering historical background against which the latest developments are set. It considers both batch and continuous systems, containing details of key developments by equipment manufacturers, with the different concepts discussed in layman's terms. This report also summarises the range of mixing techniques applied in the industry as well as methods for monitoring mixing quality both off- and on-line are also covered. Recent academic research in rubber mixing is briefly considered, providing an indication of possible future practical advances in this field. This review of rubber mixing is supported by an indexed section containing several hundred key references and abstracts selected from the Rapra Abstracts database.

This report discusses the use of the use of polymers instead of and in conjunction with, traditional platforms such as indium phosphide and ferroelectric ceramic lithium niobate. Critical comparisons are made between use of polymers and alternative. This review report gives an overview of all the elements of optical transmission and switching systems that are used in telecommunications and is a fully interdisciplinary account of materials and device design issues. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.