Thermoplastics materials are being employed in much more demanding applications, either to manufacture lighter products in the automotive and aerospace industries, or so that the relatively cheap plastics processing methods can be used to obtain a cost saving.
The high temperature thermoplastics generally may be used continuously at temperatures above around 120°C. Methods to improve or modify engineering thermoplastics to accommodate the above criterion are discussed. These include promoting crystallinity, copolymerisation and short, long and continuous fibre reinforcement.
The development of the speciality range of thermoplastics is discussed in terms of modifications to molecular architecture to increase the decomposition temperature or to promote backbone stiffness.
Finally, a large section is devoted to the description of these materials, their mechanical properties and their applications. Included in this section is a description of the new thermotropic liquid crystal polymers, such as ‘Vectra’ and ‘SRP. Discussion is given of the principles underlying their unique mechanical and rheological properties and their potential for the future.
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