A completely revised and expanded edition of this widely used reference to polymer science and plastics technology. More than 5,200 terms are concisely defined and explained. Hundreds of new terms have been added. All aspects of plastics technology are covered including: plastics and other polymeric materials polymer science plastics chemicals including monomers, catalysts, fillers, colorants, lubricants, flame retardants and other additives processing and fabrication methods and machinery, including molds properties parts, forms and shapes tests, analytical techniques, flammability, toxicity, environmental aspects, and applications
In addition to coverage of all commercial plastics, definitions are given for other polymeric materials including adhesives, elastomers, films, foams, coatings and fibers.
Since 1978, when the second edition of this Dictionary appeared, many of its terms have changed in meaning or taken on additional new meanings, a few have become obsolete, and many new terms have entered the plastics literature. New materials and new processing techniques developed during that interval have given rise to new terminology.
Toxicity, safety, flammability, and environmental concerns have continued to grow in importance and to influence decision on choices of materials and processing methods. This edition, even more than the second, reflects those concerns in many of its entries. The push toward constant improvement of quality has caused us to add definitions of terms basic to process control, statistics and quality management even though they are not specific to plastics.
There has been a huge growth in the number of new polymers and blends since 1978. . . . More emphasis has been given in this edition to basic polymer science.
This edition has been strengthened in the areas of processing, rheology, plastics properties, and materials tests. . . . More structural formulas for chemicals and monomers are given, as are many of the important equations of polymer science and plastics engineering.
The editor, Dr. James F. Carley brings to this new edition his more than forty years of experience as an educator, author and researcher in polymers. He is probably best known for his pioneering work in extrusion and his work as technical editor of Modern Plastics Magazine. Most recently Dr. Carley was with the Polymers Section of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
