This article explores one of the most commonly used analytical techniques in plastic component failure analysis—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—along with a case study to demonstrate its use.

The development of polymers, traditionally neglected in fusion materials research, is crucial to the success of commercial fusion energy. This article provides an overview of the materials science and technology challenges that will need to be addressed to develop the mechanically “soft” materials that will serve functional needs in a fusion pilot plant.

One company is moving the needle in the plastic waste crisis using a depolymerization process called methanolysis to create new high-performance materials. This article describes molecular recycling technologies that can process hard-to-recycle plastics otherwise destined for a landfill, incineration, or the environment. These technologies use waste as a feedstock to produce new materials with significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional processes that use fossil feedstocks.

Recent advances in the development of self-healing polymers enhance the longevity of energy harvesting and storage devices.

Improving the mechanical properties and wear resistance of polymers used as implant bearing materials requires new approaches and modern technology. This article describes recent work on translating novel materials and coatings into clinical practice to reduce risks and significantly improve orthopedic implant fixation and longevity.

Cross-linked low density polyethylene (LDPE) foams are used for applications such as packaging and thermal insulation. Relating composition, process, and dimensional variables with materials properties using nonlinear modeling provides a valuable tool for efficient LDPE materials and product development.

A promising method of testing aerospace coatings could help minimize exposure to hexavalent chromium by understanding coating lifecycles.

Through rigorous testing and qualification, advanced materials enable major oil companies to operate in ever more extreme environments. Elastomers are being considered due to their flexible and pliant nature, which makes them well suited as sealing components. This article describes work to qualify elastomeric materials for deepwater sealing applications.

Durable polyimide parts that can withstand challenging aerospace environments mean longer service life, less maintenance, and smaller part inventories for aircraft fleet owners.

Microanalysis tools and techniques are often required to identify and characterize the root cause of paint adhesion failures in passenger cars and trucks. In the examples presented, different types of light microscopes, including polarized, interference contrast, fluorescence, and infrared, and various spectroscopy methods were used to reveal paint formulation abnormalities and sources of contamination that were found to be the cause of paint adhesion failures occurring on polymer-based parts and between paint layers.