Contents
0. Introduction 0.1. The past
0.2. Engineering plastics
1. Structure of the molecule 1 . 1 . Introduction
1.2. Addition polymers 1.3. Condensation polymers 1.4. Copolymers
1.5. Cross-linked polymers
1.6. Molecular symmetry and the tendency to form crystals 1.7. Distribution of relative molecular mass
Problems Notes
Structure of polymeric solids 2.1. Introduction
2.2. Structure of the crystal 2.3. Crystal shape
2.4. Crystallinity
2.5. Crystallization and melting 2.6. The glass transition temperature
2.7. Molecular conformation in the amorphous polymer 2.8. The freely jointed chain
2.9. The Gaussian chain 2.10. Molecular orientation Problems
Notes
3. The elastic properties of rubber 3.1. Introduction
3.2. Structure of an ideal rubber 3.3. Entropy elasticity
3.4. Elasticity of a network 3.5. Stress-strain relationship 3.6. ~ n ~ i n e e r i n ~ rubbers
x Contents Problems Notes
4. Viscoelasticity 4.1. Introduction
4.2. The nature of viscoelasticity 4.2.1. Creep
4.2.2. Stress relaxation 4.2.3. Dynamic properties 4.3. Theory of linear viscoelasticity
4.3.1. The Zener model
4.3.2. Distribution of relaxation times 4.3.3. Origin of temperature dependence 4.4. Polymer selection: stiffness
4.4.1. Temperature dependence 4.4.2. Stress analysis
Problems Notes
5. Yield and fracture 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Yielding
5.2.1. Considhe's construction
5.2.2. Eyring's model of the flow of solids 5.2.3. Yielding under multiaxial stresses 5.3. Crazing
5.4. Fracture mechanics
5.4.1. Measurement and application of KIc
5.5. Fracture properties of polymers Problems Notes 6. Reinforced polymers 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Reinforced plastics 6.2.1. Polymer matrices 6.2.2. Fibrous reinforcement 6.2.3. Platelet reinforcement 6.3. Forming of reinforced plastics
6.3.1. Pultrusion 6.3.2. Filament winding 6.3.3. Hand lay-up 6.3.4. Hand spray-up
Contents xi 6.3.5. Compression moulding
6.3.6. Reinforced reaction injection moulding ( R R I M ) 6.3.7. Reinforced thermoplastics
6.4. The mechanics of fibre reinforcement 6.4.1. Continuous fibres 6.4.2. Discontinuous fibres 6.5. Reinforced rubbers Problems Notes 7 . Forming 7.1. Introduction
7.2. The flow properties of polymer melts 7.2.1. Bulk deformation 7.2.2. Elongational~ow 7.2.3. Shear flow 7.3. Extrusion 7.3.1. Extruder barrel 7.3.2. Extruder screw
7.3.3. Die and calibration equipment 7.4. Injection moulding
7.4.1. Hot runner moulds 7.4.2. The gate
7.4.3. Control of pressure, temperature, and time 7.4.4. Thermosets
7.4.5. Reaction injection moulding ( R I M ) 7.5. Thermoforming
7.6. Blow moulding
7.7. Compression and transfer moulding 7.7.1. Compression moulding 7.7.2. Transfer moulding Problems Notes 8. Design 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Materials selection
8.2.1. The selection procedure
8.2.2. The 'big four' commodity thermoplastics 8.2.3. The engineering thermoplastics
8.2.4. Thermosets and composites 8.2.5. Rubbers
xii Contents
8.3. Designing for manufacture
8.3.1. Injection moulding 8.3.2. Joining and fbstening 8.3.3. Thermosetting polymers
8.4. Designing for stiffness
8.4.1. PIastics
8.4.2. Fibre composites 8.4.3. Rubbers
8.5. Designing for strength 8.6. Case histories
8.6.1. Optical memory devices (compact discs) 8.6.2. Motorcycle drive sprocket
8.6.3. Cross-country ski bindings
8.6.4. Glass fibre -epoxy composite leaf spring 8.6.5. Helicopter blade
8.6.6. Cautionary tale no. I 8.6.7. Cautionary tale no. 2
Problems Notes
Further reading Answers t o problems Index
