Polymer process engineering 1999 PDF

This century has seen the emergence of an exciting new stream of materials - polymers. Polymer processing is a fast moving, highly creative area of industry, which has also attracted a strong, lively academic presence worldwide. Continuing growth in the use of plastics, driven by considerations of property, styling, mass production capabilities and cost, ensures that the processing sector will continue to develop into the new millenium, in the quest to ensure enhanced quality and efficiency. As with its predecessor, PPE 97, the scope of this volume is to address the issues: Where is polymer processing going? and What are the key trends in technology at the end of the 20th century in this vital international industry? Each of the papers in the book was presented at the Polymer Process Engineering International Conference, June 1999. In total they cover engineering excellence in polymer processing, with leading edge developments in polymer processing technology, in-process measurements and process flow modelling, and control.

Key developments in the major generic processing areas include important variants on the injection moulding and extrusion processes in terms of machine and material control, and novel processing techniques, with hints of future possibilities in micro scale and natural materials processing. These are complemented by presentation of trends in process monitoring and control, where developments in process visualisation and at-process or in-process sensing are opening up new possibilities for quality control in extrusion and injection moulding processes. The underlying process rheology and computer modelling of process flows is well represented, ranging from basic extensional and shear in-process rheology studies, through to evaluations and challenging applications of commercial flow modelling software. Throughout there is considerable interest in sensors and their application for enhanced monitoring of polymer, machinery and process, in process engineering and the application of first class engineering science to the manufacturing process. Business challenges for the sector are also addressed in this unique blend.

I believe that this book provides a timely and most interesting spectrum of Polymer Process Engineering, and I am grateful to all the authors and colleagues who have made this volume possible.

The PPE conference, a biennial international conference, is organised by:

• the Polymer Processing and Engineering Committee of the Institute of Materials,
• the UK Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Polymer Science and Technology, and
• the University of Bradford.

Edited by: P.D. Coates