High Performance Engineering Thermoplastic Composites

This report reviews and compares the properties of the four categories of materials which fall within the subject area: polyarylethers and thioethers; polyimides and polybenzimidazole; fluoropolymers; and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. The report is completed by an indexed section containing more than 400 references and abstracts selected from the Rapra Polymer Library database.

Recent developments in high performance thermoplastic resins and their composites are described in this book, and the benefits and limitations of these emerging materials are assessed for aerospace and other applications. Discussions on the performance of neat and continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic resins in terms of their properties and environmental and chemical resistance are provided.

High performance engineering plastics are used in a vast range of applications and environments. They are becoming increasingly important because of trends towards more reliable and higher performance machines and devices. This book gives readers a working knowledge and understanding of high performance engineering plastics. It starts with a simple, practical overview of key properties and principles. In each of the chapters there are sections on production chemistry, product forms, properties, processing and applications. There is a strong bias towards materials and concepts which are used in practice. The materials covered include high performance Polyethersulfones, Polyetherimides, Polyphthalamides, Polyphenylene Sulfide, Polyaryletherketones, Polyamideimides, Polyimides, Polybenzimidazole, Liquid Crystalline Polyesters and Perfluoropolymers. The reader will develop the ability to understand why materials are chosen for certain applications, why those materials have particular properties and how those properties can be modified. This will facilitate conversations with both materials suppliers and end users. It will help to identify the best and most cost effective solutions.

THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER COMPOSITES The monograph represents a life-long career in industry and academia and creates an exhaustive and comprehensive narrative that gives a complete understanding of important and state-of-the-art aspects of polymer composites including processing, properties, performance, applications & recyclability. Based on 40 years’ experience in both industry and academia, the author’s goal is to make a comprehensive and up-to-date account that gives a complete understanding of various aspects of polymer composites covering processing, properties, performance, applications & recyclability. Divided into 8 main chapters, the book treats thermoplastics vs. thermosets and the processing of thermoplastics; filled polymer composites; short fiber reinforced composites; long fiber reinforced composites; continuous fiber reinforced composites; nanocomposites; applications; and recycling polymer composites. Readers can have confidence that: Thermoplastic Polymer Composites (TPC) gives a comprehensive understanding of polymer composites’ processing, properties, applications, and their recyclability; Provides a complete understanding of man-made as well as natural fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and explores in depth how short fiber, long fiber, and continuous fiber can transform the entire domain of composites’ processing and properties; Provides a deep understanding of nanocomposites with more than 50 examples covering both commodities as well as engineering thermoplastics. It presents conducting composites and several bio-medical applications of composites that are already passed through laboratories. Audience This unique reference book will be of great value to researchers and postgraduate students in materials science, polymer science, as well industry engineers in plastics manufacturing. Those working in product development laboratories of polymer and allied industries will also find it helpful.

Thermoplastic Aromatic Polymer Composites: A Study of the Structure, Processing and Properties of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polyetheretherketone and Related Materials deals with the field of thermoplastic composite materials through a study of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone. The book is composed of twelve chapters. The first four chapters are an introduction and basic learning of thermoplastic composite materials. These chapters include discussions on the components of thermoplastics, product forms, and the microstructure of aromatic polymer composites. The processing and manufacturing technology, including the fundamental operations, control, and the wide implications of manufacturing the composite material, are analyzed. The service performance structure of three interactions, namely, material, design, and processing, are illustrated. The strength of thermoplastic composites is then considered through an analysis of both shear and extensions with elastic modulus, but in the case of material strength, the differences between tension and compression properties should be taken into account. The book also notes that the durability, temperature sensitivity, and environmental resistance should likewise be regarded for a structural composite to have practical value and satisfactory performance. Lastly, the text explains that the numerous applications of thermoplastic structural composites, such as in medicine, aviation, marine and space technology, automotive, and industrial machinery, are all important and a rigorous evaluation is therefore necessary. The book finally suggests that the research into the future developments in the thermoplastic structural composites and the trend toward new design strategies and processing technology are important in optimizing the composite's great potential. Industrial researchers in the field of chemistry and polymer composites, students, and academicians interested in the design and application of polymer composites will find this book relevant.

Offers coverage of all known commodity, transitional, engineering, high-temperature and high-performance thermoplastics, and analyzes emerging developments in the creation of new thermoplastics. The text examines: important issues in the field for each substance discussed, including history, development and commercialization; polymer formation mechanisms and process technologies; the affect of structural and phase characteristics on properties; the commercial relevance of thermoplastic blends, alloys, copolymers and composites; and more.