This book provides a comprehensive discussion of test methods for various properties of plastics, related to different material types and forms, with reference to national, international, and application- or industry-specific test methods. Numerous examples for the optimization of polymers and their composites and the assessment of component properties provide a material science focused insight into modern polymer testing. The book shows how test data can be used to quantify the interrelationship between microstructure and macroscopic properties.

From the Preface: “[A] number of new standards and regulatory codes for polymer testing have been introduced over the past years, further emphasizing the need for a redesigned textbook for this discipline of science...The editors and co-authors tried hard to overcome the limits of classic polymer testing using ASTM and ISO standards in order to make the importance of polymer testing for the development and application of new polymers, composite materials and materials compounds, as well as the introduction of new technologies, more recognizable...”

Target Audience: Students of material science, plastics technology, and a variety of engineering disciplines who require a firm background in polymer testing; also recommended for professional polymer testers, design engineers, and plastics technologists.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Preparation of Specimens

Determining Process-Related Properties

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Fracture Toughness Measurements in Engineering Plastics

Testing of Physical Properties

Evaluating Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance

Non-Destructive Polymer Testing

Hybrid Methods of Polymer Diagnostics

Testing of Composite Materials

Technological Testing Methods

Testing of Microcomponents

Index