Handbook Of Thermoset Plastics, 2nd Ed.

This second edition of this very successful book is a practical, industry-oriented overview of current data, descriptions, technology, and applications of thermoset plastics.

Based on polymer chemistry, the treatments presented are of value both to professionals and those new to the field. The consistent thread, throughout every chapter, is that thermoset plastics are materials of construction, subject to strengths and weaknesses, as well as proper use and misuse. The data and descriptions presented are for engineers, scientists, technicians, and students who must routinely form judgments and take action on the basis of informal analysis. The book is intended to assist the reader in making the right decisions and taking the correct actions in the use of thermoset plastics.

The introductory material remains essentially unchanged because the concepts are fundamental to the technology. The value to the new engineer, technician, or scientist continues to be a summarial overview, a place to get started. To those practicing the trade, the new information will augment that which is known and offer fresh concepts for consideration for solutions to the next problem or design.

The issuance of a new edition of a technical reference text usually signifies that the material in the book has provided repeated value-added information to the reader/buyer. It is a benchmark for the editors, authors, and contributors that they in fact participated in a significant way to the progress of science, engineering, and technology.

The broad classifications of plastics - general purpose, engineering, and specialty - applies to thermosets as well as thermoplastics. General purpose thermosets arecharacterized by average (for thermosets) mechanical properties, lower resistance to temperature, higher coefficients of expansion, and low cost commodity-like production and sales (tons/year). Engineering thermosets have higher mechanical properties and temperature resistance and they are perceived to be more durable. They are more expensive with a moder- ate production volume (pounds/year). Specialty thermosets are useful because of one or more highly specific and unusual property which offsets any lack of other "good" properties. They are usually very expensive and are produced in relatively small quantities (pounds/batch). Overlapping between the three categories often occurs - a general purpose phenolic is often competitive with an engineering polyimide.