Plastics Engineering, Fourth Edition presents in a single volume the basic essentials of the properties and processing behaviour of plastics and composites. The aim is to give engineers and technologists a sound understanding of basic principles without the introduction of unduly complex levels of mathematics or chemistry and thereby set plastics in their proper context as engineering materials. The book assumes no prior knowledge of plastics, and emphasises the practical aspects of the subject. Both properties and processing of reinforced and unreinforced plastics are covered. Extensive analytical examples are included to demonstrate how basic engineering principles in design, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics may be applied to modern plastic materials. Early chapters give an introduction to the types of plastics which are currently available and describe how a designer goes about the selection of a plastic for a particular application. Later chapters guide the reader through the mechanical behaviour of the materials to the detailed analysis of their major processing techniques and the underlying principles of polymer melt flow. A particular strength of the book is that all techniques developed are illustrated by numerous worked examples that are embedded within each chapter, with further problems provided at the end.

In this 4th Edition, the content of the book has been thoroughly revised to reflect the major changes in plastic materials and their processing techniques that have occurred in the 19 years since the previous edition. The plastics and processing techniques addressed within the book have been comprehensively updated to reflect current materials and technologies, and new worked examples and problems have also been included. New sections covering recyclability, sustainability and biodegradable plastics have been added, including design criteria for these materials. New sections on nano-particles for reinforcement (such as nanoclays, nanotubes and graphene) and analysis of Nanocomposites have been introduced, and the treatment of thermoplastic matrix composites has been expanded. New expanded sections on thermal properties and heat transfer in processing have been added to include more extensive descriptions and analysis of thermal radiation, convection, and conduction. Gives new engineers and technologists a thorough understanding of the essential properties and processing behavior of plastics and composites Presents a great source of foundational information for students, early-career engineers and researchers Demonstrates how basic engineering principles in design, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics may be applied to modern plastic materials.