Page 14 - Plastics Engineering

Preface to the Second Edition

In this book no prior knowledge of plastics is assumed. The text introduces the
reader to plastics as engineering materials and leads on to the design procedures
which are currently in use. Since the publication of the first edition the subject
has developed in some areas, particularly processing and so this second edition
contains the new and up-to-date information. Other modifications have also
been made to improve the presentation of the contents. In particular, Chapter
1 has been completely re-written as an introduction to the general behaviour
characteristics of plastics. The introduction to the structure of plastics which
formed the basis of Chapter 1 in the first edition has been condensed into an
Appendix in the new edition. Chapter 2 deals with the deformation behaviour
of plastics. It has been expanded from the first edition to include additional
analysis on intermittent loading and fibre composites. Chapter 3 deals with the
fracture behaviour of plastics and here the importance of fracture mechanics
has been given greater emphasis.
Chapter 4 describes in general terms the processing methods which can be
used for plastics. All the recent developments in this area have been included
and wherever possible the quantitative aspects are stressed. In most cases a
simple Newtonian model of each of the processes is developed so that the
approach taken to the analysis of plastics processing is not concealed by math-
ematical complexity.
Chapter 5 deals with the aspects of the flow behaviour of polymer melts
which are relevant to the processing methods. The models are developed for
both Newtonian and Non-Newtonian (Power Law) fluids so that the results can
be directly compared.
Many more worked examples have been included in this second edition
and there are additional problems at the end of each chapter. These are seen
as an important aspect of the book because in solving these the reader is