1st Edition

Thermoplastic Materials Properties, Manufacturing Methods, and Applications

By Christopher C. Ibeh Copyright 2011
    640 Pages 301 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Practical and affordable, thermoplastics account for more than 90 percent of all plastic materials manufactured. That so many varieties are now available, speaks to the idea that while there is no one perfect material, it is possible to find a material that fits for every application. However, selecting that right material is no small challenge.

    Answering the needs of manufacturers and product developers, Thermoplastic Materials: Properties, Manufacturing Methods, and Applications provides all the information required to confidently select the right thermoplastic for any application. Based on a course taught to engineering students, the book starts with an overview of the plastics industry, looking at the major companies involved and how their products influence society. It then discusses various topics essential to the understanding and manufacturing of thermoplastics before getting to the core of the book, more than 400 pages of consistently formatted entries, organized according to 19 thermoplastics families and groupings. Each chapter covers raw materials, manufacturing methods, properties, costs, and applications.

    Among many topics related to thermoplastic resins, this seminal work:

    • Provides micro and quasi-macro perspectives on their behavior
    • Evaluates major manufacturing methods
    • Discusses crystallinity and permeability
    • Elaborates on the properties that make them useful barrier and packaging materials

    Written by Christopher Ibeh, professor of plastics engineering technology and director of the Center for Nanocomposites and Multifunctional Materials at Pittsburg State University, this book goes beyond current practices to look at emerging materials, including nanocomposites, and discusses sustainability as it relates to plastics. It also includes a chapter on functionalized thermoplastics, written by Andrey Beyle.

    Introduction and History of the Plastics Industry
    Definition and Types
    Overview of the Plastics Industry
    Areas of Application of Plastics
    Chronology of the Thermoplastics (Plastics) Industry:
    The Need Factor
    Current Trends in the Plastics Industry
    References
    Raw Materials and Their Sources: "The Plastics Tree"
    Sources and Raw Materials of Polymers and Plastics
    Compounding and Property Enhancement
    Processing of Polymers and Plastics
    References
    Basic Structures and Characteristics of Polymers and Plastics
    Chemical Bonding in Polymers and Plastics
    Ionization Potential and Chemical Bonding
    Major Types of Chemical Bonding in Polymers and Plastics
    Structural Units in Polymers (Plastics Resins)
    References
    Molecular Weight of Polymers
    Introduction
    Molecular Weight Distribution
    Average Molecular Weight of Polymers
    References
    Polymerization (Resinification) Methods
    Chemistry of Reaction of Monomer(s) Involved with Respect to Toxicity, Flammability, and Odor
    Heat of Polymerization Removal Capacity of System
    Bulk Polymerization
    Solution Polymerization
    Emulsion Polymerization
    Suspension Polymerization
    References
    Crystallinity and Crystallization in Polymers and Plastics
    Definitions, Concepts, Etc
    Specific Volume and Crystallinity
    Crystallization Kinetics
    Determination of Degree or Percentage Crystallinity-DSC; XRD, etc
    Practical Applications of Crystallinity and Crystallization in the Polymers and Plastics Industries
    References
    Classification of Thermoplastics
    Commodity or General Purpose Thermoplastics
    Quasi-Commodity Thermoplastics
    Engineering Thermoplastic Materials
    Specialty Thermoplastic Materials
    New and Emerging Materials
    References
    Permeability and Environmental-Stress-Cracking Resistance of Thermoplastics: Barrier Properties and Packaging Applications of Polymers
    Permeability and Packaging
    Modified-Atmosphere Packaging Technology
    Permeability and ESCR of Thermoplastics
    Problem
    References
    Polyolefins: Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Their Copolymers
    Chronology of Polyolefins Revisited
    The Polyolefin Family
    Raw Materials
    Manufacturing (Polymerization) Methods for
    Polyethylenes
    Unique Properties of Polyethylene
    Materials Selection of Polyethylenes
    Processing and Applications of Polyethylenes
    References
    Polypropylene
    Overview and Chronology
    Raw Materials for Polypropylene
    Manufacturing of Polypropylene
    Unique Properties of Polypropylene
    Material Selection Parameters for Polypropylene
    Applications of Polypropylene
    Polypropylene Fibers
    References
    Olefin Copolymers of Ethylene and Propylene
    EPM: Ethylene-Propylene Monomer Rubber
    EPDM: Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer Rubber
    Copolymers
    Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymers
    Ionomers: Copolymers and Terpolymers
    Ethylene-Ester Copolymers
    References
    The Vinyls: PVC and Copolymers
    Chronology of PVC Revisited
    The Vinyl Family
    Raw Materials for PVC
    Manufacturing (Polymerization) Methods for PVC
    Unique Properties of PVC
    Material Selection of PVC
    Processing and Applications of PVC
    Common Copolymers of PVC
    Trends in PVC Formulations
    Susceptibility to PVC Exposure
    Future Look: A Health Concern Addendum
    References
    Polystyrene and Copolymers
    The Styrene Family
    Polystyrene
    Chronology of Polystyrene Revisited
    Raw Materials for Polystyrene
    Manufacturing (Polymerization) Methods for Polystyrene
    Properties and Characteristics of Polystyrene
    Combustion of Polystyrene
    Processing and Applications of Polystyrene
    Styrene-Acrylonitrile
    Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Terpolymer Resin
    K-Resin (Styrene–Butadiene Copolymer)
    Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Terpolymer
    Styrene-Butadiene Rubber
    References
    Acrylic (Acrylate) Family
    Chronology of PMMA Revisited
    The Acrylic Family and Their Raw Materials
    Polymethyl Methacrylate
    Manufacturing (Polymerization) Methods for PMMA
    Unique Properties of PMMA
    Materials Selection of PMMA
    Processing and Applications of PMMA
    Common Copolymers of MMA
    References
    Polyester Family
    The Thermoplastic Polyester Family
    Polyethylene Terephthalate
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing Method of PET
    Unique Properties and Characteristics of PET Resins
    Processing and Applications of Polyethylene Terephthalate
    Polybutylene Terephthalate
    Polyethylene Naphthalate
    New Thermoplastic Polyester Resins
    The Extended Polyester Family: Biodegradable Polyester Material
    References
    Nylon (Polyamide) Family
    Chronology of Nylon: Revisited
    The Nylon (Polyamide) Family
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for Nylons
    Unique Characteristics of Nylons
    Processing and Applications of Nylons
    The Extended Polyamide Family: Semi-Aromatic and Aromatic Polyamides
    References
    Polycarbonates
    Polycarbonates: Overview
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing Methods
    for Polycarbonates
    Unique Properties of Polycarbonates
    Processing of Polycarbonate Resins
    Applications of Polycarbonate Resins
    Polycarbonate Resins Case Study: Environmental and Health Impact of Bisphenol A: An Ethical Perspective
    Conclusion
    References
    Polyacetals
    Overview
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing Method of Polyacetal
    Unique Properties of Polyacetal
    Problems of Polyacetal
    Processing and Applications of Polyacetal
    References
    Polyphenylene Sulfides
    Polyphenylene Sulfides
    Raw Materials and Manufacture of PPS
    Unique Properties
    Processing and Applications of Polyphenylene Sulfides
    References
    Fluorocarbons (Teflon Family)
    The Fluorocarbon Family (Teflon)
    Polytetrafluoroethylene
    References
    Liquid Crystalline Polymers
    LCP Overview
    LCP Types
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for LCP
    Unique Properties of Liquid Crystalline Polymers
    Processing and Applications of LCPs
    References
    Polysulfones
    Polysulfone Family (PSU)
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for Polysulfones
    Unique Properties of Polysulfones
    Processing and Applications of Polysulfones
    References
    Polyimide Family
    Polyetherimide: Overview
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing Method
    Unique Properties of Polyetherimide
    Processing of PEI
    Applications of PEI
    References
    PEEK
    PEEK: Overview
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for PEEK
    Unique Properties
    Processing and Applications of PEEK
    References
    Polyphenylene Oxide
    Polyphenylene Oxide
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for PPO
    Unique Properties of PPOs
    Processing and Applications of PPO
    References
    Cellulosics
    Cellulosics: Overview
    Raw Materials and Manufacturing (Polymerization)
    Methods for Cellulosics
    Unique Properties
    Processing and Applications of Cellulosics
    References
    Functionalized Thermoplastic and Elastomers
    Terminology and Definitions
    Chemical Reactions of Polymers
    Functionalizing of Inert Polymers and Fillers
    Thermoplastic Elastomers
    Blends and Alloys
    Compatibilization
    Functionalized Thermoplastics and Elastomers
    References
    Plastics Nanocomposites
    Introduction
    Major Types of Nanocomposites
    Processing Challenges of Nanocomposites
    Process Optimization
    References
    Plastics and Sustainability: A Life Cycle Cost Analysis Approach
    Introduction
    Life Cycle Analysis Format
    LCA Steps
    Impact Assessment
    LCA Interpretation
    LCA Benefits
    References
    Index

    Biography

    Christopher Ibeh is a professor of plastics engineering technology at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He is also director of the Center for Nanocomposites and Multifunctional Materials. Dr. Ibeh holds a doctorate from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University. He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, American Chemical Society, the American Composites Manufacturers Association, and the Consortium for Upgrading Educational Standards. His research interests include fuel cells, biodegradable blends, fracture toughness of composites, and polymeric nanocomposites. Dr. Ibeh is the organizer of the Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Forum.