Page 23 - Engineering Plastics Handbook

Preface xxi

polymer performance properties are clearly related to applications. The
authors state, for example, “The hydrolytic stability and heat resistance
of PSF and PES make them suitable for use in a number of consumer and
commercial food service items.” They also state, “The key feature for
(plumbing) fittings is the excellent creep resistance and resistance to
mineral buildup,” and “PPSF offers unique toughness, chemical resist-
ance, and electrical properties to magnet wire insulation coatings.” The
chapter discusses current trends in sulfone polymers applications and
application-specific grades. These include an increasing emphasis on
appearance and aesthetics, which is in addition to the functional aspects
of sulfone polymers in high-performance applications; high-clarity poly-
sulfones introduced in 2004; toughness enhancers in epoxy formulations;
glass-fiber-reinforced sulfone polymers; hollow fiber membranes; and
advancements in blends and alloys such as the company’s PSF-based
® ®
Mindel series and PSF + PPSF Acudel series of blends and alloys. Melt-
processing conditions for sulfone polymers are described, including the
temperatures and times to anneal molded products in order to reduce
molded-in stress.
Chapter 14, “Polycarbonates,” from GE Plastics is written by distin-
guished experts credited with many publications and patents on poly-
carbonates, which are assigned to General Electric, the global producer
®
of Lexan polycarbonates. The chapter has 207 references, including
many references to the authors’ published works and to the works of
®
Dr. Daniel W. Fox, the inventor of Lexan , which heralded the beginning
of General Electric’s engineering thermoplastics business. Dr. Fox was the
inventor for 44 patents and he initiated the technical development of
®
Noryl polyphenylene ether polymers. His resume includes the General
Electric Steinmetz Award and the Plastics Hall of Fame; he hired Jack
Welch, former GE Chairman and CEO.
The chapter begins with early developments in aliphatic polyester,
early developments in aliphatic and aromatic polycarbonate, and further
developments in aromatic polyesters and polycarbonates; it continues
with the chemistry of polymerization, in particular interfacial polymer-
ization and melt transesterification. Alarge part of this chapter is devoted
to properties of BPA-PC (bisphenol A-polycarbonate) blends, new and
specialty polycarbonate resins, especially polyestercarbonates and other
high heat polycarbonates, high melt flow copolycarbonates for thin-wall
applications, PC siloxane block copolymers, biphenol-containing copoly-
mers with polycarbonate, UV-resistant polycarbonate copolymers, and
new copolymers for optical storage media. Typical applications for trans-
parent grades, opaque grades, and polymer blends are also covered. The
chapter includes part design and processing considerations including in-
mold decorating (IMD), process controls, and equipment/machinery
designs.