This single volume offers the latest information and guidelines on plastics, elastomers, and composites, covering all types of designs and applications, including molded and thermoformed parts, protective and decorative coatings, adhesives, automotive products, plastics in packaging, and much more. Featuring a comprehensive treatment of the chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties of plastics, elastomers, and composites, the revised edition of this handbook presents all the fundamental information required to understand the large number of materials and processes comprising this field. Data and guidelines for optimized use of the materials and processing methods are clearly presented.

From the Preface: “...This new Fourth Edition of Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites has been prepared as a thorough sourcebook of practical data for all ranges of interests. It contains an extensive array of property and performance data, presented as a function of the most important product variables. Further, it presents all important aspects of application guidelines, fabrication-method trade-offs, design, finishing, performance limits, and other important application considerations...”

Target Audience: Mechanical, electrical, materials, and chemical engineers; and other professionals and librarians concerned with any aspect of product design, development, or application of plastics, elastomers, and composites.

Table of Contents:

Thermoplastics

Thermosets, Reinforced Plastics, and Composites

Elastomeric Materials and Processes

Composite Materials and Processes

Metal Matrix Composites, Ceramic Matrix Composites, Carbon Matrix Composites, and Thermally Conductive Polymer Matrix Composites

Plastics in Coatings and Finishes

Plastics and Elastomers in Adhesives

Plastics Joining

Design and Processing of Plastic Parts

Automotive Plastics and Elastomer Applications

Plastics in Packaging

Plastics Recyling

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms and Definitions

Appendix B: Some Common Abbreviations Used in the Plastics Industry

Appendix C: Important Properties for Designing with Plastics

Appendix D: Electrical Properties of Resins and Compounds

Sources of Specifications and Standards for Plastics and Composites

Index