Plastics and rubbers together make up the most adaptable and varied class of materials available to product designers. They may be transparent or opaque, rigid or flexible, lightweight, insulating, and weatherproof. They are used in almost every industry, and in every part of the home. Applications range from the humble hot water bottle to the sheathing on a high voltage cable, and from a simple scrubbing brush to a tank for storing hydrochloric acid. Products may be disposable (e.g. packaging goods) or intended to last for decades, such as a buried sewage pipe. However, it is this very diversity which makes materials selection so difficult, and appropriate design so important. Indeed the one thing that all these particular products have in common is their presence in this book of failures. Failures due to degradation may result from exposure to the weather or an aggressive operating environment. Alternatively they may be caused by the introduction of an external agent unforeseen by the product designer. They may be rapid or very slow, and they may result from a combination of factors. In this book Dr. Wright describes the following mechanisms of polymer degradation, and then illustrates each failure mechanism with a number of case studies: Thermo-oxidation, Photo-oxidation, Degradation due to ionising radiation, Chemical attack, Environmental stress cracking, Other miscellaneous effects, including treeing, electrochemical degradation and biodegradation. Many of the case studies are based on Dr. Wrights own experiences whilst working at Rapra. In each case he describes the circumstances of the failure, and discusses both the consequences of the failure and the lessons that may be learned from it. Most of the failed products are familiar to us all, and his style is both readable and informative. Photographs are included where available. The book will be essential reading for designers, engineers, product specifiers and forensic engineers. Materials suppliers and processors will also benefit from the pragmatic analysis and advice it contains. It will also be of value to all students of polymer science and technology, providing an essential insight into the practical application of plastics and rubbers and the potential problems. Finally, it will be of interest to a much broader readership, including anyone who ever wondered why things break, and it should become a standard reference work in all technical libraries. This book was written with the support of the UK Department of Trade and Industry. It is intended to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of polymer product failures, in order to reduce the future incidences of such failures, and their considerable costs to industry

Fractography in Failure Analysis of Polymers provides a practical guide to the science of fractography and its application in the failure analysis of plastic components. In addition to a brief background on the theory of fractography, the authors discuss the various fractographic tools and techniques used to identify key fracture characteristics. Case studies are included for a wide range of polymer types, applications, and failure modes, as well as best practice guidelines enabling engineers to apply these lessons to their own work. Detailed images and their appropriate context are presented for reference in failure investigations. This text is vital for engineers who must determine the root causes of failure when it occurs, helping them further study the ramifications of product liability claims, environmental concerns, and brand image. - Presents a comprehensive guide to applied fractography, enabling improved reliability and longevity of plastic parts and products - Includes case studies that demonstrate material selection decisions and how to reduce failure rates - Provides best practices on how to analyze the cause of material failures, along with guidelines on improving design and manufacturing decisions

Ein Praxisleitfaden der Polymeranalyse für alle, die sich in Polymerlabors mit Analytik, Qualitätskontrolle oder Produktentwicklung beschäftigen. Der Autor erläutert, aus seinem umfangreichen Erfahrungsschatz, welche Probleme in welchen Situationen auftreten können. Viele Fallstudien helfen bei der Anwendung der Erkenntnisse im Laboralltag. Mit einer umfangreichen Datensammlung zu physikalischen Eigenschaften von Polymeren! (07/00)

Fractography in Failure Analysis of Polymers, Second Edition, provides a practical guide to the science of fractography and its application in the failure analysis of plastic components. In addition to a brief background on the theory of fractography, the authors discuss the various fractographic tools and techniques used to identify key fracture characteristics. The Second Edition includes additional material related to polymer life prediction testing and analysis. Case studies have been expanded, including a wide range of polymer types, new technologies, applications, and failure modes, as well as best practice guidelines enabling engineers to apply these lessons to their own work. Detailed images and their appropriate context are presented for reference in failure investigations. This text is vital for engineers who must determine the root causes of failure when it occurs, helping them further study the ramifications of product liability claims, environmental concerns, and brand image. This is also a valuable resource for all plastics professionals, including manufacturers, product designers, and consultants, forensic investigators, as well as educators in materials science. - Presents comprehensive coverage of applied fractography, enabling improved reliability and longevity of plastic parts and products - Includes case studies that demonstrate material selection decisions and how to reduce failure rates - Provides best practices on how to analyze the cause of material failures, along with guidelines on improving design and manufacturing decisions

Rubber components are used in many demanding applications, from tyres and seals to gloves and medical devices, and failure can be catastrophic. This review of Rubber Product Failure outlines and illustrates the common causes of failure, while addressing ways of avoiding it. There has been increasing pressure to improve performance so that rubbers can be used at higher temperatures and in harsher environments. For example, the under-the-bonnet temperature has increased in some vehicles and new medical devices require longer lifetimes in potentially degrading biological fluids. The expectations of tyre performance in particular are increasing, and retreads have been in the spotlight for failures. The definition of failure depends on the application. For example, a racing car engine seal that lasts for one race may be acceptable, but in a normal car a life span of 10 years is more reasonable. If appearance is critical as in surface coatings and paints, then discolouration is failure, whilst in seals leakage is not acceptable. Each rubber product must be fit for the use specified by the consumer. Failure analysis is critical to product improvement. the cause of the problem can be much harder to find. It can range from a design fault to poor material selection, to processing problems, to manufacturing errors such as poor dimensional tolerances, to poor installation, product abuse and unexpected service conditions. The rubber technologist must become a detective, gathering evidence, understanding the material type and using deductive reasoning. Testing and analysis of failed materials and components add to the information available for failure analysis. For example, stored aged tyres appeared superficially to be alright for use, but on drum testing small cracks grew more quickly than in new tyres leading to rapid failure in service. Quality control procedures such as product inspection, testing and material quality checks can help to reach 100 percent reliability. In critical applications such as electricians' gloves for high voltage working, gloves are inspected before each use, while engine seals may be routinely replaced before the expected lifetime to avoid problems. in the literature is not high. However, several reviews have been written on specific products and references can be found at the end of this review. Around 400 abstracts from papers in the Polymer Library are included with an index. Subjects covered include tyre wear and failure, seals, engine components, rubber bonding failure, rubber failure due to chloramine in water, tank treads, gloves and condoms, medical devices and EPDM roofing membranes.

Forensic Polymer Engineering: Why Polymer Products Fail in Service, Second Edition presents and explains the latest forensic engineering techniques used in the investigation of failed polymer materials that are illustrated with a very large number of detailed case studies which show the different types of failure and the forensic engineering techniques used in their investigation. In this updated edition, new case studies have been added to include patent disputes and failed products such as spiral wound wall storage tanks, lithium battery explosions, water bottle failures, and breast implant failures (such as the PIP scandal). New images demonstrating failure have been included, and images from the previous edition are reproduced in color and enhanced with additional explanatory detail. With a dedicated focus on polymeric materials, the book includes details on the experimental techniques that are used to characterize the materials, particularly in cases of failure. Finally, the book has information on the fabrication of polymer devices, as manufacturing flaws often play a role in failure. - Demonstrates the latest forensic engineering techniques used in the investigation of failed polymer components - Presents detailed case studies that illustrate different types of failure in polymer components, fittings, and medical devices - Examines the role of manufacturing in product failure with an overview of faults recognized in methods, design, and material selection - Provides an integrated approach to polymer failures that covers everything from basic materials properties, through to the experimental techniques required to study them

A comprehensive, practical guide to wood-plastic composites and their properties This is the first book that presents an overview of the main principles underlying the composition of wood-plastic composite (WPC) materials and their performance in the real world. Focusing on the characteristics of WPC materials rather than their manufacture, this guide bridges the gap between laboratory-based research and testing and the properties WPC materials exhibit when they're used in decks, railing systems, fences, and other common applications. Complete with practical examples and case studies, this guide: Describes compositions of WPC materials, including thermoplastics, cellulose fiber, minerals, additives, and their properties Covers mechanical properties, microbial resistance, water absorption, flammability, slip resistance, thermal expansion-contraction, sensitivity to oxidation and solar radiation, and rheological properties of hot melts of WPC Covers subjects that determine esthetics, properties, performance, and durability of wood-plastic composite products Includes comparisons of different ASTM methods and procedures that apply to specific properties This is a comprehensive, hands-on reference for scientists, engineers, and researchers working with wood-plastic composites in plastics and polymers, materials science, microbiology, rheology, plastic technology, and chemical engineering, as well as an outstanding text for graduate students in these disciplines. It's also an excellent resource for suppliers and WPC manufacturers, and an accessible guide for developers, homebuilders, and landscape architects who want to know more about wood-plastic composites and their performance in the real world.