This book is based on the more than 30 years experience of Dr. Wright in researching the circumstances and consequences of failure in plastics and rubber products. It delves into the reasons why plastics fail, but does not stop there. This book is essential reading for almost every engineer, technician, researcher, and designer because it also outlines the practical application of plastic materials and exposes the potential problems inherent with plastics and rubbers.
Case studies throughout the text describe the circumstances of specific failures, the consequences of the failure, and lessons learned. Most of the failed products are familiar and many color photographs help illustrate. Of all the variables within the process of designing and manufacturing with plastics, one is common... failure. Use this book as a preventive measure and reduce risks in material selection and processing.
This book is based on research conducted or supervised by Dr. Wright during his three decades at Rapra Technology. Dr. Wright was involved in the diagnosis of over 5,000 product failures and has published 3 books and over 90 technical papers. He has specialized in failure mechanisms and critical issues of material durability, such as creep, fatigue and environmental stress cracking.