First published in 1991. CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis.

Independent, practical guidance on the structural design of polymer composites is provided for the first time in this book. Structural designers familiar with design of conventional structural materials such as steel and concrete will be able to use it to design a broad range of polymeric composites for structural applications, using glass fibre reinforced plastic materials, components, connections and assemblies.

In this book, the authors have assembled a systematic set of design parameters describing short and long term mechanical, thermal, electrical, fire and environmental performance, etc. for composites based primarily on continuous glass, aramid and carbon fibres in thermosetting and thermoplastic matrices.

Design with Reinforced Plastics is a comprehensive, accessible guide to fundamental aspects of designing for world markets with this increasingly important range of materials. This unique publication takes full account of the design implications of the single European market, as well as the rapidly changing effects of consumer protection and environmental legislation.

Offers information on the fundamental principles, processes, methods and procedures related to fibre-reinforced composites. The book presents a comparative view, and provides design properties of polymeric, metal, ceramic and cement matrix composites. It also gives current test methods, joining techniques and design methodologies.

Derived from the fourth edition of the well-known Plastics Technology Handbook, Plastics Fundamentals, Properties, and Testing covers the behavior, characterization, and evaluation of polymers. With a luci

The papers contained herein were presented at the Sixth International Conference on Composite Structures (ICCS/6) held at Paisley College, Scotland in September 1991. The Conference was organised and sponsored by Paisley College. It was co-sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, the National Engineering Laboratory, the US Army Research, Development and Standardisation Group-UK, Strathclyde Regional Council and Renfrew District Council. It forms a natural and ongoing progression from the highly successful ICCS/1/2/3/4 and 5 held at Paisley in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989 respectively. As we enter the final decade of this century many organisations throughout the world are adopting a prophetic role by attempting to forecast future scientific advances and their associated impact on mankind. Although some would argue that to do so is folly, without such futuristic visionaries the world would be that much poorer. IntelJigent speculation based on research trends and historical advances, rather than fanciful theories, breathes a healthy air of enthusiasm into the scientific community. Surely this is the very oxygen necessary to ignite the fir~s of innovation and invention amongst pioneers of research.

For some time there has been a strong need in the plastic and related industries for a detailed, practical book on designing with plastics and composites (reinforced plastics). This one-source book meets this criterion by clearly explaining all aspects of designing with plastics, as can be seen from the Table of Contents and Index. It provides information on what is ahead as well as today's technology. It explains how to interrelate the process of meeting design performance requirements with that of selecting the proper plastic and manufacturing process to make a product at the lowest cost. This book has been prepared with an awareness that its usefulness will depend greatly upon its simplicity. The overall guiding premise has therefore been to provide all essential information. Each chapter is organized to best present a methodology for designing with plastics and composites. of industrial designers, whether in engineering This book will prove useful to all types or involved in products, molds, dies or equipment, and to people in new-product ventures, research and development, marketing, purchasing, and management who are involved with such different products as appliances, the building industry, autos, boats, electronics, furniture, medical, recreation, space vehicles, and others. In this handbook the basic essentials of the properties and processing behaviors of plastics are presented in a single source intended to be one the user will want to keep within easy reach.