Wiley Series on Polymer Engineering and Technology

The all-encompassing guide to total quality process control for injection molding In the same simple, easy-to-understand language that marked the first edition, Total Quality Process Control for Injection Molding, Second Edition lays out a successful plan for producing superior plastic parts using high-quality controls. This updated edition is the first of its kind to zero in on every phase of the injection molding process, the most commonly used plastics manufacturing method, with an all-inclusive strategy for excellence. Beginning with sales and marketing, then moving forward to cover finance, purchasing, design, tooling, manufacturing, assembly, decorating, and shipping, the book thoroughly covers each stage to illustrate how elevated standards across individual departments relate to result in the creation of a top-notch product. This Second Edition: Details ways to improve plastic part design and quality Includes material and process control procedures to monitor quality through the entire manufacturing system Offers detailed information on machinery and equipment and the implementation of quality assurance methods—content that is lacking in similar books Provides problem-analysis techniques and troubleshooting procedures Includes updates that cover Six Sigma, ISO 9000, and TS 16949, which are all critical for quality control; computer-guided process control techniques; and lean manufacturing methods With proven ways to problem-solve, increase performance, and ensure customer satis-faction, this valuable guide offers the vital information today's managers need to plan and implement quality process control—and produce plastic parts that not only meet, but surpass expectations.

A much-needed overview of the state of the art of hyperbranched polymers The last two decades have seen a surge of interest in hyperbranched polymers due to their ease of synthesis on a large scale and their promising applications in diverse fields, from medicine to nanotechnology. Written by leading scientists in academia and industry, this book provides for the first time a comprehensive overview of the topic, bringing together in one complete volume a wealth of information previously available only in articles scattered across the literature. Drawing on their work at the cutting edge of this dynamic area of research, the authors cover everything readers need to know about hyperbranched polymers when designing highly functional materials. Clear, thorough discussions include: How irregular branching affects polymer properties and their potential applications Important theoretical basics, plus a useful summary of characterization techniques How hyperbranched polymers compare with dendrimers as well as linear polymers Future trends in the synthesis and application of hyperbranched polymers Geared to novices and experts alike, Hyperbranched Polymers is a must-have resource for anyone working in polymer architectures, polymer engineering, and functional materials. It is also useful for scientists in related fields who need a primer on the synthesis, theory, and applications of hyperbranched polymers.

Introduces the latest innovations in thermoforming materials, processes, and applications Advanced Thermoforming brings readers fully up to date with the latest standards, processes, materials, and applications in the field. From forming to filling to sealing processes, the author explains everything that can now be accomplished using the most advanced thermoforming technologies available. Moreover, readers learn how to fully leverage these technologies in order to design and manufacture products that meet all specifications at minimum cost and maximum efficiency. Emphasizing the application of advanced thermoforming for the production of technical parts and packaging, the book: Guides readers through all facets of development, design, and machine and mold technology Recommends new technologies that offer higher productivity, better quality, and lower costs Describes common raw materials used in thermoforming, including how specific materials affect the production process Explains the proper handling of semi-finished products and formed parts Sets forth the basic principles of extrusion, an essential process underlying thermoforming Introduces the latest software techniques to simulate the thermoforming of new products Throughout the book, readers learn about the latest innovations in thermoforming, from thermoformed automobile body parts to fully automated packaging assembly lines. The author offers valuable content from his interviews with leading industrial thermoformers, sharing insights and tips from their years of hands-on experience with readers. With Advanced Thermoforming as their guide, polymer and plastics engineering professionals and students can now explore and exploit the full range of possibilities that thermoforming technology offers.

This book presents the most important aspects of microcellular injection molding with applications for science and industry. The book includes: experimental rheology and pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) data for different gas materials at real injection molding conditions, new mathematical models, micrographs of rheological and thermodynamic phenomena, and the morphologies of microcellular foam made by injection molding. Further, the author proposes two stages of processing for microcellular injection molding, along with a methodology of systematic analysis for process optimization. This gives critical guidelines for quality and quantity analyses for processing and equipment design.

Sets forth the techniques needed to create a vast array of useful biopolymer nanocomposites Interest in biopolymer nanocomposites is soaring. Not only are they green and sustainable materials, they can also be used to develop a broad range of useful products with special properties, from therapeutics to coatings to packaging materials. With contributions from an international team of leading nanoscientists and materials researchers, this book draws together and reviews the most recent developments and techniques in biopolymer nano-composites. It describes the preparation, processing, properties, and applications of bio- polymer nanocomposites developed from chitin, starch, and cellulose, three renewable resources. Biopolymer Nanocomposites features a logical organization and approach that make it easy for readers to take full advantage of the latest science and technology in designing these materials and developing new products and applications. It begins with a chapter reviewing our current understanding of bionanocomposites. Next, the book covers such topics as: Morphological and thermal investigations of chitin-based nanocomposites Applications of starch nanoparticle and starch-based bionanocomposites Spectroscopic characterization of renewable nanoparticles and their composites Nanocellulosic products and their applications Protein-based nanocomposites for food packaging Throughout the book, detailed case studies of industrial applications underscore the unique challenges and opportunities in developing and working with biopolymer nanocomposites. There are also plenty of figures to help readers fully grasp key concepts and techniques. Exploring the full range of applications, Biopolymer Nanocomposites is recommended for researchers in a broad range of industries and disciplines, including biomedical engineering, materials science, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and polymer science. All readers will learn how to create green, sustainable products and applications using these tremendously versatile materials.

This book describes the synthesis, properties, and processing methods of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an important family of degradable plastics. As the need for environmentally-friendly packaging materials increases, consumers and companies are in search for new materials that are largely produced from renewable resources, and are recyclable. To that end, an overall theme of the book is the biodegradability, recycling, and sustainability benefits of PLA. The chapters, from a base of international expert contributors, describe specific processing methods, spectroscopy techniques for PLA analysis, and and applications in medical items, packaging, and environmental use.

Including chemical, synthetic, and cross-disciplinary approaches; this book includes the necessary techniques and technologies to help readers better understand polymers for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The methods in the book are essential to researchers and scientists in the field and will lead to further development in polymer and fuel cell technologies. • Provides complete, essential, and comprehensive overview of polymer applications for PEM fuel cells • Emphasizes state-of-the-art developments and methods, like PEMs for novel fuel cells and polymers for fuel cell catalysts • Includes detailed chapters on major topics, like PEM for direct liquid fuel cells and fluoropolymers and non-fluorinated polymers for PEM • Has relevance to a range of industries – like polymer engineering, materials, and green technology – involved with fuel cell technologies and R&D

Focusing on a variety of coatings, this book provides detailed discussion on preparation, novel techniques, recent developments, and design theories to present the advantages of each function and provide the tools for better product performance and properties. •    Presents advantages and benefits of properties and applications of the novel  coating types •    Includes chapters on specific and novel coatings, like nanocomposite, surface wettability tunable, stimuli-responsive, anti-fouling, antibacterial, self-healing, and structural coloring •    Provides detailed discussion on recent developments in the field as well as current and future perspectives •    Acts as a guide for polymer and materials researchers in optimizing polymer coating properties and increasing product performance

A complete overview of a key plastic One of the most versatile polymer materials, polyurethanes have a unique chemical nature that allows for shaping and molding to fit all sorts of consumer and industrial products – seat cushions, carpets, insulation, coatings, and refrigerators to name a few. Despite its popular uses, polyurethane science has only relatively recently achieved appreciation for the richness of its expression as a polymer family. This book provides a thorough presentation of polyurethane science, technology markets and trend analysis based on recent patents.  Although it does not provide ultimate detail (such as explicit information typically in patents), the book has a flow and continuity that allows readers to find all the background necessary to understand any other more detailed polyurethane information found elsewhere. Anyone involved in the polymer and plastics industry will find this book a key resource with features that include: An in-depth summary of the current state of polyurethane research and knowledge Discussion of the applications, manufacture, and markets for polyurethanes Analytical methods, reaction mechanisms, morphology, theoretical techniques, and the selection of chain extenders Polyurethane flexible and rigid foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, and medical applications In-depth coverage of governmental regulations, non-isocyanate/non-phosgene routes to polyurethane structure, and industrial routes to environmental, health, and safety risk mitigation