This Rapra Review Report looks at the major applications of polymers in automotives, (excluding tyres), and describes the reasons behind their adoption and development, with many examples drawn from the European, US and Japanese car industries. The review and the 395 abstracts provided from the Rapra Polymer Library database refer primarily to developments since 1987.

Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing. The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends. This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering. - Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications - Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing - Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics

This report explains the theory of polymer conductivity, and discusses developments in the synthesis of the major polymers. A detailed section on practical applications follows a discussion of the improved electrical and mechanical properties and environmental stability which make such applications possible. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

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.

The use of polymers in medical devices is growing at a steady rate. These materials are generally relatively cheap and versatile, qualities required in many bulk applications. In more specialised medical devices, polymeric components have been developed to meet challenging property and performance requirements. This review describes the process of developing polymeric products for medical applications from design requirements through to specific examples of medical devices and packaging. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.

The objective of this Rapra Review Report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the use of rubber as a food contact material, from an initial description of the types of rubber which are used in the industry, through the formulation of products, and the contact regulations and migration testing regimes, to the research that is on-going to improve its safety and the trends for the future. This report is a completely revised and updated version of Rapra Review Report 119 published in 2000. This Rapra Review Report comprises a concise, expert review, supported by an extensive bibliography compiled from the Rapra Abstracts database on the topic of rubbers in contact with food. This bibliography provides useful additional information on this topical field.

This report starts with a simple overview of materials, processes and application for rigid plastics packaging and progresses to the latest developments. Processing methods are described briefly in the review with an overview of each type accompanied by a discussion of forthcoming developments. The properties of the different polymers and polymer grades related to packaging applications are also discussed. The review is accompanied by over 400 summaries of papers from the Rapra Polymer Library on developments in polymers, processes and applications for rigid packaging.

Polymers have been used in agriculture and horticulture since the middle of the last century. There is a tremendous potential for using polymers in agriculture and our fields and garden would look very different if we did not use polymers in them. This review traces the history of polymer use, discusses the markets for polymers in these applications, and describes in detail the different types of polymers that can be used and their specific applications. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Polymer Library gives useful references for further reading.

In their review, the authors summarise the state of the art in ABS polymers with major sections on synthesis, characterisation, mechanical properties and stabilisation. There are also sections on the most important speciality grades and a summary of the important commercial blends containing ABS as a component. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

Developments in machinery, materials and applications are outlined in the cond104 of commercial considerations and advances in fundamental understanding. The principles and benefits of polymer modification and blending via reactive extrusion are explained. A b257 of novel techniques which have developed out of the major reactive processes are also described. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.