The Processing of Plastics

Abstract

The various processes discussed in this chapter are used to fabricate all types and shapes of plastic products, ranging from household convenience packages to electronic devices and many others—including the strongest products in the world, used in space vehicles, aircraft, building structures, and so on. Proper process selection depends upon the nature and requirements of the plastic, the properties desired in the final product, the cost of the process, its speed, and the product volume. (Remember that a plastic may also be called a polymer or a resin.) Some materials can be used with many kinds of processes, but others require a specific or specialized machine (see Fig. 7-1). Plastics consumption by process is given in Table 7-1. Numerous fabrication process variables play an important role and can markedly influence a product’s aesthetics, performance, and cost.