A review of today's high performance plastics and manufacturing processes This book surveys fundamental processing concepts for every major fabrication technique in use today and provides data on controls, instrumentation, materials and molding technologies.

An outstanding and thorough presentation of the complete field of plastics processing Handbook of Plastic Processes is the only comprehensive reference covering not just one, but all major processes used to produce plastic products-helping designers and manufacturers in selecting the best process for a given product while enabling users to better understand the performance characteristics of each process. The authors, all experts in their fields, explain in clear, concise, and practical terms the advantages, uses, and limitations of each process, as well as the most modern and up-to-date technologies available in their application. Coverage includes chapters on: Injection molding Compression and transfer molding Sheet extrusion Blow molding Calendering Foam processing Reinforced plastics processing Liquid resin processing Rotational molding Thermoforming Reaction injection molding Compounding, mixing, and blending Machining and mechanical fabrication Assembly, finishing, and decorating Each chapter details a particular process, its variations, the equipment used, the range of materials utilized in the process, and its advantages and limitations. Because of its increasing impact on the industry, the editor has also added a chapter on nanotechnology in plastics processing.

Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook: Processing, Materials, and Applications, Second Edition, covers both the polymer basics that are helpful to bring readers quickly up-to-speed if they are not familiar with a particular area of plastics processing and the recent developments that enable practitioners to discover which options best fit their requirements. New chapters added specifically cover polyamides, polyimides, and polyesters. Hot topics such as 3-D printing and smart plastics are also included, giving plastics engineers the information they need to take these embryonic technologies and deploy them in their own work. With the increasing demands for lightness and fuel economy in the automotive industry (not least due to CAFÉ standards), plastics will soon be used even further in vehicles. A new chapter has been added to cover the technology trends in this area, and the book has been substantially updated to reflect advancements in technology, regulations, and the commercialization of plastics in various areas. Recycling of plastics has been thoroughly revised to reflect ongoing developments in sustainability of plastics. Extrusion processing is constantly progressing, as have the elastomeric materials, fillers, and additives which are available. Throughout the book, the focus is on the engineering aspects of producing and using plastics. The properties of plastics are explained, along with techniques for testing, measuring, enhancing, and analyzing them. Practical introductions to both core topics and new developments make this work equally valuable for newly qualified plastics engineers seeking the practical rules-of-thumb they don't teach you in school and experienced practitioners evaluating new technologies or getting up-to-speed in a new field. - Presents an authoritative source of practical advice for engineers, providing guidance from experts that will lead to cost savings and process improvements - Ideal introduction for both new engineers and experienced practitioners entering a new field or evaluating a new technology - Updated to include the latest technology, including 3D Printing, smart polymers, and thorough coverage of biopolymers and biodegradable plastics

This book is for people involved in working with plastic material and plastic fabricating processes. The information and data in this book are provided as a comparative guide to help in understanding the performance of plastics and in making the decisions that must be made when developing a logical approach to fabricating plastic products to meet performance requirements at the lowest costs. It is formatted to allow for easy reader access and this care has been translated into the individual chapter constructions and index. This book makes very clear the behaviour of the 35,000 different plastics with the different behaviours of the hundreds of processes. Products reviewed range from toys to medical devices, to cars, to boats, to underwater devices, containers, springs, pipes, aircraft and spacecraft. The reader's product to be designed and/or fabricated can be directly or indirectly related to plastic materials, fabricating processes and/or product design reviews in this book.*Essential for people involved in working with plastic material and plastic fabricating processes *Will help readers understand the performance of plastics *Helps readers to make decisions which meet performance requirements and to keep costs low

This handbook provides a framework for understanding how to characterize plastic manufacturing processes for use in troubleshooting problems. The 21 chapters are authored by well-known and experienced engineers who have specialized knowledge about the processes covered in this practical guide. From the Preface: “In every chapter, the process is described and the most common problems are discussed along with the root causes and potential technical solutions. Numerous case studies are provided that illustrate the troubleshooting process. Mark A. Spalding, The Dow Chemical Company

A practical reference for all plastics engineers who are seeking to answer a question, solve a problem, reduce a cost, improve a design or fabrication process, or even venture into a new market. Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook covers both polymer basics – helpful to bring readers quickly up to speed if they are not familiar with a particular area of plastics processing – and recent developments – enabling practitioners to discover which options best fit their requirements. Each chapter is an authoritative source of practical advice for engineers, providing authoritative guidance from experts that will lead to cost savings and process improvements. Throughout the book, the focus is on the engineering aspects of producing and using plastics. The properties of plastics are explained along with techniques for testing, measuring, enhancing and analyzing them. - Practical introductions to both core topics and new developments make this work equally valuable for newly qualified plastics engineers seeking the practical rules-of-thumb they don't teach you in school, and experienced practitioners evaluating new technologies or getting up to speed on a new field - The depth and detail of the coverage of new developments enables engineers and managers to gain knowledge of, and evaluate, new technologies and materials in key growth areas such as biomaterials and nanotechnology - This highly practical handbook is set apart from other references in the field, being written by engineers for an audience of engineers and providing a wealth of real-world examples, best practice guidance and rules-of-thumb

Plastics Materials and Processes: A Concise Encyclopedia is a resource for anyone with an interest in plastic materials and processes, from seasoned professionals to laypeople. Arranged in alphabetical order, it clearly explains all of the materials and processes as well as their major application areas and usages. Plastics Materials and Processes: A Concise Encyclopedia: Discusses and describes applications and practical uses of the materials and processes. Clear definitions and sufficient depth to satisfy the information seekers needs

This book provides a simplified, practical, and innovative approach to understanding the design and manufacture of plastic products in the World of Plastics. The concise and comprehensive information defines and focuses on past, current, and future technical trends. The handbook reviews over 20,000 different subjects; and contains over 1,000 figures and more than 400 tables. Various plastic materials and their behavior patterns are reviewed. Examples are provided of different plastic products and relating to them critical factors that range from meeting performance requirements in different environments to reducing costs and targeting for zero defects. This book provides the reader with useful pertinent information readily available as summarized in the Table of Contents, List of References and the Index.

How easy life would be if only moldings were the same size and shape as the mold. But they never are, as molders, toolmakers, designers and end users know only too well. Shrinkage means that the size is always different; warpage often changes the shape too. The effects are worse for some plastics than others. Why is that? What can you do about it? The Handbook of Molded Part Shrinkage and Warpage is the first and only book to deal specifically with this fundamental problem. Jerry Fischer’s Handbook explains in plain terms why moldings shrink and warp, shows how additives and reinforcements change the picture, sets out the effect of molding process conditions, and explains why you never can have a single ‘correct’ shrinkage value. It goes on to demonstrate how to alleviate the problem through careful design of the molded part and the mold, and by proper material selection. It also examines computer-aided methods of forecasting shrinkage and warpage. And most important of all, the Handbook gives you the data you need to work with. Authoritative and rooted in extensive industrial experience, the expert guidance contained in this handbook offers practical understanding to novices, and new insights to readers already skilled in the art of injection molding and mold making Contains the answers to common problems and detailed advice on how to control mold and post-mold shrinkage and warpage Case Studies illustrate and enrich the text; Data tables provide the empirical data that is essential for success, but hard to come by

This comprehensive book provides guidelines for maximizing plastics proc essing efficiency in the manufacture of all types of products, using all types of plastics. A practical approach is employed to present fundamental, yet comprehensive, coverage of processing concepts. The information and data presented by the many tables and figures interrelate the different variables that affect injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, compression molding, reinforced plastics molding, rotational molding, re action injection molding, coining, casting, and other processes. The text presents a great number of problems pertaining to different phases of processing. Solutions are provided that will meet product per formance requirements at the lowest cost. Many of the processing variables and their behaviors in the different processes are the same, as they all in volve basic conditions of temperature, time, and pressure. The book begins with information applicable to all processes, on topics such as melt soft ening flow and controls; all processes fit into an overall scheme that re quires the interaction and proper control of systems. Individual processes are reviewed to show the effects of changing different variables to meet the goal of zero defects. The content is arranged to provide a natural progres sion from simple to complex situations, which range from control of a sin gle manual machine to simulation of sophisticated computerized processes that interface with many different processing functions.