This second edition of An Introduction to Plastics is the answer to manifold requests for an updated version by the readership. Since publication of the first edition in 1993, the field of plastics has seen tremendous development. Their manufacture and properties are discussed and correlated to the molecular and supermolecular properties of polymers. The contents have been thoroughly revised, restructured and enlarged. Several topics such as polymer composites and mixtures, morphology, flow properties and processing have been given more space, and chapters on electrical conductivity and non-linear optical properties have been newly added. Reviews of the first edition: "This book presents a precise, yet non-mathematical introduction to plastics, their raw materials, syntheses, properties and applications." (B. Sillion, Revue de l'Institut Francais du Pétrole) "The volume is excellently written, with a simple, straightforward and comprehensive index. It provides an overview of all plastics, including raw materials: manufacture, structure, processing, properties and, of course, applications" (D.W. Taylor and J.F. Kennedy, Polymer International) "This book has all the earmarks of becoming a guide to or even a reference book for polymers in structural applications" (Willi Kreuder, Acta Polymerica)

The authoritative introduction to all aspects of plastics engineering — offering both academic and industry perspectives in one complete volume. Introduction to Plastics Engineering provides a self-contained introduction to plastics engineering. A unique synergistic approach explores all aspects of material use — concepts, mechanics, materials, part design, part fabrication, and assembly — required for converting plastic materials, mainly in the form of small pellets, into useful products. Thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and advanced composites, the four disparate application areas of polymers normally treated as separate subjects, are covered together. Divided into five parts — Concepts, Mechanics, Materials, Part Processing and Assembly, and Material Systems — this inclusive volume enables readers to gain a well-rounded, foundational knowledge of plastics engineering. Chapters cover topics including the structure of polymers, how concepts from polymer physics explain the macro behavior of plastics, evolving concepts for plastics use, simple mechanics principles and their role in plastics engineering, models for the behavior of solids and fluids, and the mechanisms underlying the stiffening of plastics by embedded fibers. Drawing from his over fifty years in both academia and industry, Author Vijay Stokes uses the synergy between fundamentals and applications to provide a more meaningful introduction to plastics. Examines every facet of plastics engineering from materials and fabrication methods to advanced composites Provides accurate, up-to-date information for students and engineers both new to plastics and highly experienced with them Offers a practical guide to large number of materials and their applications Addresses current issues for mechanical design, part performance, and part fabrication Introduction to Plastics Engineering is an ideal text for practicing engineers, researchers, and students in mechanical and plastics engineering and related industries.

Introduction to Plastics Engineering provides a single reference covering the basics of polymer and plastics materials, and their properties, design, processing and applications in a practical way. The book discusses materials engineering through properties formulation, combining part design and processing to produce final products. This book will be a beneficial guide to materials engineers developing new formulations, processing engineers producing those formulations, and design and product engineers seeking to understand the materials and methods for developing new applications. The book incorporates material properties, engineering, processing, design, applications and sustainable and bio based solutions. Ideal for those just entering the industry, or transitioning between sectors, this is a quick, relevant and informative reference guide to plastics engineering and processing for engineers and plastics practitioners. - Provides a single unified reference covering plastics materials, properties, design, processing and applications - Offers end-to-end coverage of the industry, from formulation to part design, processing, and the final product - Serves as an ideal introductory book for new plastics engineers and students of plastics engineering - Provides a convenient reference for more experienced practitioners

As in the successful first edition, this book provides straightforward information on plastic materials and technology, including the options for recycling plastics, with special focus on mechanical recycling. This new edition reflects the great strides that have been made to increase recycling rates worldwide in recent years. It considers the expansion of infrastructure in the UK to support plastic recycling and major achievements that have been made in gaining widespread public support and participation for recycling schemes; specifically the need to manage waste on an individual household level. Current issues surrounding council recycling of plastic bottles, and the practice of providing free plastic carrier bags by supermarkets, are also considered. Biopolymers are expected to have a major impact on plastic markets in the future and therefore some of the issues of biodegradability versus recycling are expanded in this second edition, as is the wider context of life cycle analysis and legislation.

This introduction offers well-ordered coverage of the major topics related to the mechanical properties of plastics. It provides: clear examples of the data needed for the analysis of plastics behaviour and engineering applications; the background required to understand developments in plastics engineering; and state-of-the-art results.

Part of a series of data-rich handbooks within the Plastics Design Library, Fatigue and Tribological Properties of Plastics and Elastomers provides a comprehensive collection of graphical multipoint data and tabular data covering the fatigue and tribological performance of plastics. The handbook is structured by grouping together plastics of similar polymer types into ten chapters. Each of these chapters is split into two sections: Fatigue Properties and Tribological Properties, and together they provide a compendium of several hundred graphs and charts, supplying the core data needed by engineers and scientists on a day-to-day basis. The data for this third edition has been updated to cover upwards of five years since the previous edition was published, and also includes an entirely new chapter covering sustainable and biodegradable polymers. The book also includes an extensive introductory section covering fatigue, what it is and how it is measured; the fundamentals of tribology; polymer chemistry and plastics composition. These chapters also provide readers with a full understanding of the data section, and how to put it to use as a hard-working information tool.

This text provides a unique, practical and comprehensive 'how to' introduction to plastic-to-plastic, non-permanent assemblies. Covering a full range of information in an easy to understand, nontechnical format, this outstanding work affords the confident understanding needed to keep pace with advances in plastic technology.

Designing Successful Products with Plastics: Fundamentals of Plastic Part Design 2e provides expert insight into design considerations required to bring a concept product or part through design and ready-for-production. Rather than focusing on design rules and engineering equations used during product development, the emphasis of the book is on what the designer needs to consider during the early conceptual visualization stages, and in the detailed stages of the design process. This fully updated edition features new practical advice on how to design sustainably throughout the book. This approach will bridge the gap between the industrial designer, tasked with the 'big picture' product design and use, and the part designer, tasked with the detailed plastic part design for manufacture. Useful to both experienced and novice designers, this book brings valuable design process information through specific examples, enabling designers and engineers in the plastics industry to effectively use the available technical information to successfully design and manufacture new products. - Brings together the worlds of the plastic part designer and the industrial designer and shows how each impacts the success of a development project. - Teaches the "Four Pillars considerations (Materials, Processes, Tooling, and Design) required for every design decision to be made during a plastic part design project. The interrelationship of these considerations with the sustainability intent for the product being developed is taught and illustrated within this new edition. - Illustrates the product design process roadmap from creation of the concept through implementation into manufacturing, highlighting steps and methods used throughout the process to limit risk and ensure success. - Includes methods and design project management techniques used to ensure an efficient design process and successful manufacturing of the product or part.

Plastic plays a vital role in today's world but has become increasingly problematic. Plastics and Microplastics: A Reference Handbook discusses the history and evolution of plastic and its many uses, both in the United States and around the world. Beginning with a history of plastic—from the first scientific discovery of the material to its diversity of forms and uses in the present day—Plastics and Microplastics: A Reference Handbook discusses the history and evolution of plastic and its many uses, both in the United States and around the world. Importantly, it delves into the problems and controversies concerning plastic and microplastics, such as the pollution of oceans, rivers, and streams; its exceptionally long shelf life; its contribution to air pollution; and ingestion of microplastics by marine life. One of the most valuable aspects of the book is its survey of the history of plastics and microplastics conducted in a manner that helps readers to identify key issues to address. Moreover, it discusses both implemented and proposed solutions. A perspectives chapter includes a broad range of voices, allowing crucial, diverse perspectives to round out the author's expertise.

The second edition of the classic data book, The Effect of Creep and Other Time Related Factors on Plastics and Elastomers (originally published in 1991), has been extensively revised with the addition of an abundance of new data, the removal of all out-dated information, and the complete rebuilding of the product and company listings.This new edition also has been reorganized from a polymer chemistry point of view. Plastics of similar polymer types are grouped into chapters, each with an introduction that briefly explains the chemistry of the polymers used in the plastics. An extensive introductory chapter has also been added, which summarizes the chemistry of making polymers, the formulation of plastics, creep-testing, test methods, measurements, and charts, as well as theory and plastic selection.Each chapter is generally organized by product and concludes with comparisons of brand or generic products. The appendices include a list of trade names, plastics sold under those names, and manufacturer. A list of conversion factors for stress measures is also included.ABOUT THE AUTHORLaurence W. McKeen earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973 and a Ph.D. in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin. He began his career with DuPont in 1978 as a mass spectroscopist, but moved into product development in the Teflon® Finishes group in 1980. Dr. McKeen has accumulated over 28 years of experience in product development and applications, working with customers in a wide range of industries, which has led to the creation of dozens of commercial products. - More than 8 core chapters, which serve as a databank for evaluating the creep of plastics - Over 600 uniform graphs for more than 45 generic families of plastics are explained - Types of graphs include: (1) Isochronous Stress–Strain Curves at Various Times and Temperatures (2) Creep Strain or Creep Deformation versus Time at Various Stress Levels and Temperatures (3) Various Modulus Measures (Tensile, Compressive, Flexural) versus Time at Various Temperatures (4) Hoop Stress versus Time at Various Temperatures (5) Stress Cracking and Other Plastics Failure versus Time (6) Creep Rupture versus Time