I am pleased to present the Fifth Edition of the Plastics Engineering Handbook. Last published in 1976, this version of the standard industry reference on plastics processing incorporates the numerous revisions and additions necessitated by 14 years of activity in a dynamic industry. At that last printing, then-SPI President Ralph L. Harding, Jr. anticipated that plastics pro duction would top 26 billion pounds in 1976 (up from 1.25 billion in 1947, when the First Edition of this book was issued). As I write, plastics production in the United States had reached almost 60 billion pounds annually. Indeed, the story of the U.S. plastics industry always has been one of phenomenal growth and unparalleled innovation. While these factors make compilation of a book such as this difficult, they also make it necessary. Thus I acknowledge all those who worked to gather and relate the information included in this 1991 edition and thank them for the effort it took to make the Plastics Engineering Handbook a definitive source and invaluable tool for our industry. Larry L. Thomas President The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
I am pleased to present the Fifth Edition of the Plastics Engineering Handbook. Last published in 1976, this version of the standard industry reference on plastics processing incorporates the numerous revisions and additions necessitated by 14 years of activity in a dynamic industry. At that last printing, then-SPI President Ralph L. Harding, Jr. anticipated that plastics pro duction would top 26 billion pounds in 1976 (up from 1.25 billion in 1947, when the First Edition of this book was issued). As I write, plastics production in the United States had reached almost 60 billion pounds annually. Indeed, the story of the U.S. plastics industry always has been one of phenomenal growth and unparalleled innovation. While these factors make compilation of a book such as this difficult, they also make it necessary. Thus I acknowledge all those who worked to gather and relate the information included in this 1991 edition and thank them for the effort it took to make the Plastics Engineering Handbook a definitive source and invaluable tool for our industry. Larry L. Thomas President The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
The Plastics Engineering Handbook provides a thorough description of all major plastics processing methods, including theory and practice. It offers a guide to materials selection, product design, and testing.
This second edition of a unique text/reference identifies the appearance attributes of objects and the methods available for measuring them, bringing together much material not previously organized for ready reference. The primary premise here is that ``object appearance'' involves not only color, but such attributes as gloss, luster, and translucency. The first part of the book, concerned with nature of appearance, draws from the fields of physiology and psychology and considers the eye-brain combination and the way it receives and interprets light signals. This is followed by a consideration of the optical properties of objects from the physical standpoint. The second part of the book deals with the numerical scales used to measure object appearance. The discussion here draws on psychophysics in describing the uses of physical techniques to give numbers having psychological significance. The third part of the book covers instruments for the measurement of the attributes of object appearance, their principles of design, and a survey of the major ones in use. The final chapter discusses specific applications of appearance measurement. Includes appendixes and a glossary.
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
Today, fiber reinforced composites are in use • properties of different component (fiber, in a variety of structures, ranging from space matrix, filler) materials; craft and aircraft to buildings and bridges. • manufacturing techniques; This wide use of composites has been facili • analysis and design; tated by the introduction of new materials, • testing; improvements in manufacturing processes • mechanically fastened and bonded joints; and developments of new analytical and test • repair; ing methods. Unfortunately, information on • damage tolerance; these topics is scattered in journal articles, in • environmental effects; conference and symposium proceedings, in and disposal; • health, safety, reuse, workshop notes, and in government and com • applications in: pany reports. This proliferation of the source - aircraft and spacecraft; material, coupled with the fact that some of - land transportation; the relevant publications are hard to find or - marine environments; are restricted, makes it difficult to identify and - biotechnology; obtain the up-to-date knowledge needed to - construction and infrastructure; utilize composites to their full advantage. - sporting goods. This book intends to overcome these diffi Each chapter, written by a recognized expert, culties by presenting, in a single volume, is self-contained, and contains many of the many of the recent advances in the field of 'state-of-the-art' techniques reqUired for prac composite materials. The main focus of this tical applications of composites.
This volume focuses on the practical application of processes for manufacturing plastic products. It includes information on design for manufacturability (DFM), material selection, process selection, dies, molds, and tooling, extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, lamination, rotational molding, casting, foam processing, compression and transfer molding, fiber reinforced processing, assembly and fabrication, quality, plant engineering and maintenance, management.
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.