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Principles of Polymer Engineering, 2nd Edition
N. G. McCrum, C. P. Bucknall,
C. B. Bucknall. Oxford Science Publications,
1997. ISBN 0-19-856526-7.
This book presents a concise and easily readable introduction
to polymer behavior for design and production engineers.
It seeks to explain the behavior of plastics and rubber
using a materials science framework, by relating observed
phenomena to changes in morphological and molecular
structure. This presents a powerful way for engineers
to grasp the underlying factors that make polymers the
complex materials that they are. The reader is encouraged
to step away from using linear-elastic metals concepts
when designing with plastics. The pitfalls of such
simplifications are pointed out and guidelines are presented
to aid the designer in adopting a non-linear approach.
Numerous examples throughout the book illustrate how
these concepts may be applied. Chapter 2 provides an
introduction to the structure of a polymer, and to the
phenomena of melting, solidification and orientation,
which play such important roles in defining the morphology
and performance of a polymeric component. This puts
the reader in the right frame to examine the behavior
of rubber, which is covered in the next chapter. Here,
the implications of large deformation are considered
while important distinctions between polymeric and metal
behavior are made. The issue of viscoelasticity is covered
next, along with its implications in the prediction
of creep and stress relaxation. The treatment of this
complex subject is easy to follow and is accompanied
by well-developed
insights, which make it possible for the engineer to
apply these concepts to everyday design.
In Chapter 5, we see a presentation of the mechanisms
of failure in plastics and rubber. This chapter has
been extensively updated to reflect the new developments
in this field. Yielding and necking phenomena are explained
along with descriptions of brittle failure. The effects
of fiber fillers, rubber as toughening agent and other
reinforcements are covered.
The remainder of the book is devoted to the processing
of polymers. Each of the major manufacturing processes
is treated using the same framework. The last chapter
is of particular interest to design engineers. Issues
of material selection, the choice of processing technology
and its effect on performance are considered. The sections
on designing for stiffness and strength provide guidelines
on the effect of different variables on the performance
of a polymeric part.
- Reviewed by Hubert Lobo.
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