This review provides a brief discussion of the thermoforming process, including its historical development and machinery and material requirements. Chapters address heater technology, new mold materials and fabrication methods, trimming methods, computer-aided means for prediction of wall thickness, forming of crystallizable PET for microwave-transparent food containers, forming of thermoplastic foam products such as vehicle roof liners, forming of polypropylene which traditionally has a tendency to sag, heavy gauge twin sheet forming of large components, and forming of fibre reinforced and multilayer sheets.

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Table of Contents:

The Thermoforming Process

Polymer Characterization

New Developments

Additional References

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database

Subject Index