Plastics: Microstructure and Engineering Applications

Now in its Third Edition, Plastics is the key text for senior students studying the science and engineering of plastic materials. Starting from microstructure and physical properties, the book covers the mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of plastic materials, and also deals in detail with wider plastics issues that today’s engineers and materials scientists need such as manufacturing processes and the design of plastic products. The new edition has been updated to reflect changes in polymer technology and the plastics industry, and the increased knowledge of the mechanical properties of plastics. A new first chapter introduces plastics properties through practical exercises, to help students to see the relevance of more academic chapters. Computer modeling has revealed the mechanics of many types of composites, so the emphasis of chapter 4 has shifted to modeling. Applications, product design and process technology have moved on; consequently the case studies in chapter 14 were updated. A new chapter 15 introduces sport and biomaterials case studies, since increasing numbers of students are enrolled on courses with these emphases. The material has been thoroughly updated, and the principles of polymer structure-property relationships set out more clearly.

• Meets latest undergraduate needs for studying polymer properties
• Expended coverage of materials selection and shape selection
• New teaching case studies plus new material on plastics for use in sport applications and biomaterials
• Examination questions to accompany each chapter

Nigel Mills was a Reader in Polymer Engineering in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham, UK. He was the author of the first three editions of Plastics: Microstructure and Engineering Applications, as well as the Polymer Foams Handbook, published in 2007.

Mike Jenkins is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham, UK. Dr. Jenkins has researched and published widely in the field of polymer science and has edited three books on the use of polymers in sport and biomaterials.