Thermosetting plastics are a distinct category of plastics whose high performance, durability and reliability at high temperatures makes them suitable for specialty applications ranging from automotive and aerospace through to electronic packaging and consumer products (your melamine kitchen worktop is a thermoset resin!). Recent developments in thermoset plastics technology and processes has broadened their use exponentially over recent years, and these developments continue: in November 2011, French scientists created a new lightweight thermoset that is as strong and stable as previous materials yet can be easily reworked and reshaped when heated which makes it unique amongst thermosets and allows for repair and recycling. The Handbook of Thermoset Plastics, now in its Third edition, provides a comprehensive survey of the chemical processes, manufacturing techniques and design properties of each polymer, along with their applications. Written by a team of highly experienced practitioners, the practical implications of using thermoset plastics are presented – both their strengths and weaknesses. The data and descriptions presented here enable engineers, scientists and technicians to form judgments and take action on the basis of informed analysis. The aim of the book is to help the reader to make the right decision and take the correct action – avoiding the pitfalls the authors' experience has uncovered. The new edition has been updated throughout to reflect current practice in manufacturing and processing, featuring: - Case Studies to demonstrate how particular properties make different polymers suitable for different applications, as well as covering end-use and safety considerations - A new chapter on using nanoparticles to enhance thermal and mechanical properties - A new chapter describing new materials based on renewable resources (such as soy-based thermoset plastics) - A new chapter covering recent developments and potential future technologies such as new catalysts for Controlled Radical Polymerization - Goodman and Dodiuk-Kenig provide a comprehensive reference guide to the chemistry, manufacturing and applications of thermosets - Updated to include recent developments in manufacturing – from biopolymers to nanocomposites - Case Studies illustrate applications of key thermoset plastics

Unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) and vinyl ester resins (VER) are among the most commercially important thermosetting matrix materials for composites. Although comparatively low cost, their technological performance is suitable for a wide range of applications, such as fiber-reinforced plastics, artificial marble or onyx, polymer concrete, or gel coats. The main areas of UPR consumption include the wind energy, marine, pipe and tank, transportation, and construction industries. This chapter discusses basic UPR and VER chemistry and technology of manufacturing, and consequent applications. Some important properties and performance characteristics are discussed, such as shrinkage behavior, flame retardance, and property modification by nanoparticles. Also briefly introduced and described are the practical aspects of UPR and VER processing, with special emphasis on the most widely used technological approaches, such as hand and spray layup, resin infusion, resin transfer molding, sheet and bulk molding, pultrusion, winding, and centrifugal casting.

With recent developments in nanotechnology, thermoset nanocomposites offer numerous advantages compared to conventional composite materials. Moreover, with the emergence of commercial nanomaterials like nanoclays (NCs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanosilica (NS), Polyhedral-Oligomeric-Sil-Sesquioxanes (POSS), tungsten-disulfide (WS2) fullerenes and tubes, and Graphene (Gr), new potential routes have been opened to tailor thermosetting polymers in the nanoscale range. Due to the large surface area of the nanosize particles, only small amounts are needed to cause significant changes in the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites. When the surface areas of the nanoparticles are modified, additional dimensions for the formulation of structural adhesives and composite matrices arise, and can be used for a variety of applications. The formulation sequence and conditions are found to determine the structure and properties of the resulting nanocomposites. This chapter reviews and analyzes the various thermoset nanocomposites containing: NCs, CNTs, NS, POSS, WS2, and Gr.

Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers, Second Edition presents a comprehensive working knowledge of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), providing an essential introduction for those learning the basics, but also detailed engineering data and best practice guidance for those already involved in polymerization, processing, and part manufacture. TPEs use short, cost-effective production cycles, with reduced energy consumption compared to other polymers, and are used in a range of industries including automotive, medical, construction and many more. This handbook provides all the practical information engineers need to successfully utilize this material group in their products, as well as the required knowledge to thoroughly ground themselves in the fundamental chemistry of TPEs. The data tables included in this book assist engineers and scientists in both selecting and processing the materials for a given product or application. In the second edition of this handbook, all chapters have been reviewed and updated. New polymers and applications have been added — particularly in the growing automotive and medical fields — and changes in chemistry and processing technology are covered. - Provides essential knowledge of the chemistry, processing, properties, and applications for both new and established technical professionals in any industry utilizing TPEs - Datasheets provide "at-a-glance" processing and technical information for a wide range of commercial TPEs and compounds, saving readers the need to contact suppliers - Includes data on additional materials and applications, particularly in automotive and medical industries

This new edition of the bestselling Handbook of Thermoplastics incorporates recent developments and advances in thermoplastics with regard to materials development, processing, properties, and applications. With contributions from 65 internationally recognized authorities in the field, the second edition features new and updated discussions of seve

In this 3rd Edition of the Reinforced Plastics Handbook the authors have continued the approach of the late John Murphy, author of the first and second editions.The book provides a compendium of information on every aspect of materials, processes, designs and construction.Fiber-reinforced plastics are a class of materials in which the basic properties of plastics are given mechanical reinforcement by the addition of fibrous materials. The wide choice of plastics resin matrices and the correspondingly wide choice of reinforcing materials mean that the permutations are virtually unlimited. But the optimum properties of resin and reinforcement cannot be obtained unless there is an effective bond between the two, and this is the continuing objective of reinforced plastics production, design and processing. - New 3rd edition of this comprehensive practical manual - This is a 'bible' for all those involved in the reinforced plastics industry, whether manufacturers, specifiers, designers or end-users - Has been completely revised and updated to reflect all the latest developments in the industry

Provides comprehensive coverage of the most recent developments in the theory of non-Archimedean pseudo-differential equations and its application to stochastics and mathematical physics--offering current methods of construction for stochastic processes in the field of p-adic numbers and related structures. Develops a new theory for parabolic equations over non-Archimedean fields in relation to Markov processes.