Service Life Prediction of Polymers and Coatings: Enhanced Methods focuses on the cutting-edge science behind how plastic and polymer materials are modified by the effects of weathering, offering the latest advances in service life prediction methods. The chapters have been developed by experts based on their contributions as part of the 7th Service Life Prediction Meeting. The volume begins with the premise that it is possible to produce and design life predictions, also looking at how these predictions can be used. Subsequent chapters present new developments in service life prediction, examining the most important considerations in SLP design, timescales, and other major issues. The book also considers the current state of the field in terms of both accomplishments and areas that require significant research going forward. This is a highly valuable reference for engineers, designers, technicians, scientists and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components or products for outdoor applications across a range of industries. The book also supports academic researchers, scientists and advanced students with an interest in service life, the effects of weathering, material degradation, failure analysis, or sustainability across the fields of plastics engineering, polymer science and materials science. - Presents novel prediction techniques for plastics and polymers exposed to outdoor weathering - Provides a consensus roadmap on the scientific barriers related to a validated, predictive model for the response of polymer and plastics to outdoor exposure - Enables the reader to assess and compare different methods and approaches to service life prediction

Service Life Prediction of Polymers and Plastics Exposed to Outdoor Weathering discusses plastics and polymers and their unique applications, from sealants used in construction, to polymer composites used in planes. While these materials are important enablers for advanced technologies, exposure to weather changes the very properties of plastics that make them so useful. This book reviews current research needs and provides a consensus roadmap of the scientific barriers to validated predictive models for the response of polymers and plastics to outdoor exposure. Despite extensive efforts over the past 20-30 years, testing of polymeric materials in accelerated or natural weathering conditions and the interpretation of the weathering results still require substantial improvements. This book represents the state-of-the-art in the prediction techniques available and in development. Engineers and materials scientists working in this field will be able to use the content of this book to assess the strengths and challenges of a range of different methods and approaches. - Enables engineers and scientists in a range of industries to more successfully predict the durability of polymers, paints and coatings when exposed to weather - Provides the latest information to help determine the sustainability of polymeric materials - Reviews the current state-of-the-art in this area and identifies research needs that are followed by more detailed discussions of specific polymers and applications

Service Life Prediction of Polymeric Materials: Global Perspectives combines developed content derived from topics discussed in the Fourth International Symposium on Service Life Prediction (Key Largo, Florida, December 2006). This critical examination of the existing and alternative methodologies used to assess the service life of polymeric materials presents readers with the advances in accelerated and field exposure testing protocols. Written by established experts in the service life community, this volume introduces advanced methods, including high throughput and combinatorial analyses, models data collection and storage formats. Researchers and engineers involved with materials and polymer science, coatings technologists and automotive materials will find Service Life Prediction of Polymeric Materials: Global Perspectives a useful tool.

This book defines the current state-of-the-art for predicting the lifetime of plastics exposed to weather and outlines the future research needed to advance this important field of study. Coverage includes progress in developing new science and test methods to determine how materials respond to weather exposure. This book is ideal for researchers and professionals working in the field of service life prediction. This book also: Examines numerous consensus standards that affect commercial products allowing readers to see the future of standards related to service life prediction Provides scientific foundation for latest commercially viable instruments Presents groundbreaking research including the blueprint of a new test method that will significantly shorten the service life prediction process time Covers two of the latest verified predictive models, which demonstrate realized-potential to transform the field

Surveying developments in coating polymers and plastics, this book examines proper materials selection, basic processing mechanics, process selection based on cost and coating mechanics, molding, and performance and durability assessments. This text is a reference tailored for busy professionals or students in coatings courses. It highlights techniques for salvaging plastics from used vehicles, including the recycling of automotive plastics, and compares North American and European techniques for coating plastics in the automotive industry.

Durability and Reliability of Polymers and Other Materials in Photovoltaic Modules describes the durability and reliability behavior of polymers used in Si-photovoltaic modules and systems, particularly in terms of physical aging and degradation process/mechanisms, characterization methods, accelerated exposure chamber and testing, module level testing, and service life prediction. The book compares polymeric materials to traditional materials used in solar applications, explaining the degradation pathways of the different elements of a photovoltaic module, including encapsulant, front sheet, back sheet, wires and connectors, adhesives, sealants, and more. In addition, users will find sections on the tests needed for the evaluation of polymer degradation and aging, as well as accelerated tests to aid in materials selection. As demand for photovoltaics continues to grow globally, with polymer photovoltaics offering significantly lower production costs compared to earlier approaches, this book will serve as a welcome resource on new avenues. - Provides comprehensive coverage of photovoltaic polymers, from fundamental degradation mechanisms, to specific case studies of durability and materials failure - Offers practical, actionable information in relation to service life prediction of photovoltaic modules and accelerated testing for materials selection - Includes up-to-date information and interpretation of safety regulations and testing of photovoltaic modules and materials

This book covers material challenges and technology innovation in coated and laminated textiles for aerostats and airships. Aerostats/airships are lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft which are generally used in defence applications and face many harsh environmental conditions. For sustaining such conditions, there are special requirements for the material to be used in aerostats/airships which generally include a multi-layered coated/laminated textile using a textile fabric in base layer and different polymers for coating/lamination. Therefore, this book covers typical materials developed by different countries, challenges for developing material for aerostat/airship envelope and the future scope. Features: Exclusive title on materials used for LTA envelopes. Discusses material challenges such as selection of suitable fibre, polymer, additive, coating/lamination techniques, joint type and sealing techniques. Includes typical materials developed by different companies and researchers worldwide. Clearly explains technical concepts using figures, schemes and tabulated data. Includes case studies on material developed for aerostats/airships by different countries including NASA, Lockheed Martin, JAXA, ADRDE and DRDO. This book is aimed at graduate students, researchers and professionals in textiles engineering and aerospace engineering.

This book offers in-depth insights into the photochemical behavior of multicomponent polymeric-based materials, with a particular emphasis on the photodegradation and photostabilization of these materials. Studying various classes of materials bases such as polysaccharides, wood, synthetic polymers, rubber blends, and nanocomposites, it offers a valuable reference source for graduate and postgraduate students, engineering students, research scholars and polymer engineers working in industry.

Handbook of Thermoplastic Fluoropolymers: Properties, Characteristics and Data gathers key technical information about structure, characteristics, properties and processing methods of commercial thermoplastic fluoropolymers in one easy reference. Thermoplastic fluoropolymers have many desirable functional characteristics, such as high thermal stability, reliability at high mechanical loads, a wide range of operating temperatures, and high chemical and radiation stability. These characteristics make them crucial in many specialist applications, including in the military, biopharmaceuticals and environmental protection. This uniquely comprehensive guide to this versatile family of polymers will help processors, fabricators and end-users find new and innovative solutions.Detailed coverage of technical details of processing methods, characteristics, and chemical properties of commercial thermoplastic fluoropolymers all in one place make this the most authoritative reference to the subject available. - Includes extensive physical and mechanical property data for commercial thermoplastic fluoropolymers - Provides comprehensive chemical resistance data for commercial thermoplastic fluoropolymers - Explains the basics of fluoropolymers for readers with different backgrounds

Fractography in Failure Analysis of Polymers, Second Edition, provides a practical guide to the science of fractography and its application in the failure analysis of plastic components. In addition to a brief background on the theory of fractography, the authors discuss the various fractographic tools and techniques used to identify key fracture characteristics. The Second Edition includes additional material related to polymer life prediction testing and analysis. Case studies have been expanded, including a wide range of polymer types, new technologies, applications, and failure modes, as well as best practice guidelines enabling engineers to apply these lessons to their own work. Detailed images and their appropriate context are presented for reference in failure investigations. This text is vital for engineers who must determine the root causes of failure when it occurs, helping them further study the ramifications of product liability claims, environmental concerns, and brand image. This is also a valuable resource for all plastics professionals, including manufacturers, product designers, and consultants, forensic investigators, as well as educators in materials science. - Presents comprehensive coverage of applied fractography, enabling improved reliability and longevity of plastic parts and products - Includes case studies that demonstrate material selection decisions and how to reduce failure rates - Provides best practices on how to analyze the cause of material failures, along with guidelines on improving design and manufacturing decisions