This article discusses the materials and properties of polymer-matrix composites to characterize each generic material according to its composition and method of manufacture. It contains a table that lists the key physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, and in-service conditions of concern for resin-matrix composites. Axes definitions, symbols, and special property calculations for composite material property tests are reviewed. The article provides an overview of the performance capabilities of selected polymer-matrix composite materials such as thermoplastic-matrix composites and thermoset-matrix composites. The thermoplastic-matrix composites include thermoplastic polyester resins and fiber resin composites; thermoplastic polyamide resins and fiber-resin composites; and thermoplastic polysulfone resins and fiber-resin composites.

The design and analysis of aerospace and industrial composite components and assemblies requires a detailed knowledge of materials properties, which, in turn, depend on the manufacturing, machining, and assembly methods used. This article, through several tables and graphs, provides the mechanical properties, physical properties, and service characteristics of representative composite fiber-resin combinations, including thermoplastic matrix composites such as thermoplastic polyester resins, thermoplastic polyamide resins, and thermoplastic polysulfone resins, and thermoset matrix composites such as thermoset polyester resins, thermoset phenolic resins, thermoset epoxy resins, thermoset polyimide resins, and thermoset bismaleimide resins.

This article is a comprehensive collection of tables that list the values for hardness of plastics, rubber, elastomers, and metals. The tables also list the tensile yield strength and tensile modulus of metals and plastics at room temperature. A comparison of various engineering materials, on the basis of tensile strength, is also provided.

This article is a compilation of abbreviations of terms, techniques, standards, compounds, and properties of materials that are relevant to the characterization and failure analysis of plastics.

Advanced thermoplastics are stiff, moldable plastics that compete with traditional engineering thermoplastics and thermosets owing to their good tensile, compressive, impact, and shear strength, electrical properties, and corrosion resistance. This article discusses commercial forms, family characteristics, properties and applications of the following advanced thermoplastics: homopolymer and copolymer acetals, fluoropolymers, ionomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyarylates, polyketones, polyaryl sulfones, polybutylene terephthalates, polycarbonates, polyether-imides, polyether sulfones, polyethylene terephthalates, thermoplastic polyimides, liquid crystal polymers, polyphenylene ether blends, polyphenylene sulfides, and polysulfones.

This article describes the most significant tests to characterize the properties of constituent materials. It discusses the chemical, physical, and mechanical tests for determining the properties of reinforcement fibers and fabrics. The article provides information on some of the basic materials used for thermoset and thermoplastic resin matrices. It reviews the identification of the individual characteristics of thermoset and thermoplastic resin along with the test methods normally used for their determination. The article contains a table that lists properties and tests for uncured and cured thermoset-matrix resins and prepregs.

This introductory article describes the various aspects of chemical structure that are important to an understanding of polymer properties and thus their eventual effect on the end-use performance of engineering plastics. The polymers covered include hydrocarbon polymers, carbon-chain polymers, heterochain polymers, and polymers containing aromatic rings. The article also includes some general information on the classification and naming of polymers and plastics. The most important properties of polymers, namely, thermal, mechanical, chemical, electrical, and optical properties, and the most significant influences of structure on those properties are then discussed. A variety of engineering thermoplastics, including some that are regarded as high-performance thermoplastics, are covered in this article. In addition, a few examples of commodity thermoplastics and biodegradable thermoplastics are presented for comparison. Finally, the properties and applications of six common thermosets are briefly considered.

This article is a comprehensive collection of engineering tables providing information on the mechanical properties of and the techniques for processing and characterizing polymeric materials, such as thermosets, thermoset-matrix unidirectional advanced composites, and unreinforced and carbon-and glass-reinforced engineering thermoplastics. Values are also provided for chemical resistance ratings for selected plastics and metals, and hardness of selected elastomers.

There are many reasons why plastic materials should not be considered for an application. It is the responsibility of the design/materials engineer to recognize when the expected demands are outside of what the plastic can provide during the expected life-time of the product. This article reviews the numerous considerations that are equally important to help ensure that part failure does not occur. It provides a quick review of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics. The article focuses primarily on thermoset materials that at room temperature are below their glass transition temperature. It describes the motivation for material selection and the goal of the material selection process. The use of material datasheets for material selection as well as the processes involved in plastic material selection and post material selection is also covered.

Thermal analysis provides a powerful tool for researchers and engineers in determining both unknown and reproducible behavioral properties of polymer molecules. This article covers the thermal analysis and thermal properties of engineering plastics with respect to chemical composition, chain configuration, conformation of the base polymers, processing of the base polymers with or without additives; and the response to chemical, physical, and mechanical stresses of base polymers as unfilled, shaped articles or as components of composite structures. It also describes thermal analysis techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, thermomechanical analysis, and rheological analysis. This article also summarizes the basic thermal properties used in the application of engineering plastics, such as thermal conductivity, temperature resistance, thermal expansion, specific heat, and the determination of glass transition temperatures. It concludes with a discussion of the thermal and related properties of nine thermostat resin systems divided into three groups by low, medium, and high service temperature capabilities.

This article discusses the thermal properties of engineering plastics and elastomers with respect to chemical composition, chain configuration, and base polymer conformation as determined by thermal analysis. It describes the processing of base polymers with or without additives and their response to chemical, physical, and mechanical stresses whether as an unfilled, shaped article or as a component of a composite structure. It summarizes the basic thermal properties of thermoplastics and thermosets, including thermal conductivity, temperature resistance, thermal expansion, specific heat, and glass transition temperature. It also provides information on polyimide and bismaleimide resin systems. Representative examples of different types of engineering thermoplastics are discussed primarily in terms of structure and thermal properties.

Advanced thermoplastic composites possess impact resistance, fracture toughness, and elevated temperature endurance properties due to their melt-fusible nature. This article presents the material options available for thermoplastic composites such as pseudothermoplastics, post-impregnated thermoplastics, and true thermoplastics. It describes the processing methods of thermoplastic composites, including weaving, seaming, autoclaving, preconsolidation, roll consolidation, roll forming/pultruding, thermoforming, press forming, hydroforming, and diaphragm forming. The article provides information on different types of joints, namely, fastened, adhesive bonded, dual polymer bonded, co-consolidated, and welded joints. It explains the joining methods of thermoplastic composites, such as press forming, diaphragm forming, autoclaving, ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, and induction welding.

The analysis of composite materials using optical microscopy is a process that can be made easy and efficient with only a few contrast methods and preparation techniques. This article is intended to provide information that will help an investigator select the appropriate microscopy technique for the specific analysis objectives with a given composite material. The article opens with a discussion of macrophotography and microscope alignment, and then goes on to describe various illumination techniques that are useful for specific analysis requirements. These techniques include bright-field illumination, dark-field illumination, polarized-light microscopy, interference and contrast microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The article also provides a discussion of sample preparation materials such as dyes, etchants, and stains for the analysis of composite materials using optical microscopy.

Manufacturing process selection is a critical step in plastic product design. The article provides an overview of the functional requirements that a part must fulfil before process selection is attempted. A brief discussion on the effects of individual thermoplastic and thermosetting processes on plastic parts and the material properties is presented. The article presents process effects on molecular orientation. It also illustrates the thinking that goes into the selection of processes for size, shape, and design factors. Finally, the article describes how various processes handle reinforcement.

This article is a compilation of abbreviations, symbols, and tradenames for terms related to the properties, selection, processing, and applications of the most widely used nonmetallic engineering materials.

A thermosetting resin, or thermoset, is a synthetic organic polymer that cures to a solid, infusible mass by forming a three-dimensional network of covalent chemical bonds. Significant applications include construction and thermoset engineering plastics. This article discusses the general and family characteristics of thermosetting resin families, including allyls, aminos (urea formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde), cyanates, epoxies, polybenzimidazoles, unsaturated polyesters, thermoset polyimides, phenolics, and vinyl esters. It also explains processing methods, including curing and curing agents. The article provides descriptions of commercial product forms and the wide array of applications of thermosetting resins. It also tabulates the performance properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical resistance) of some families of unfilled or unreinforced thermosetting resins and reinforced or filled grades.

The structural efficiency of a composite structure is established by its joints and assembly. Adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, and fusion bonding are three types of joining methods for polymer-matrix composites. This article provides information on surface treatment and the applications of adhesive bonding. It discusses the types of adhesives, namely, epoxy adhesives, epoxy-phenolic adhesives, condensation-reaction PI adhesives, addition-reaction PI adhesives, bismaleimide adhesives, and structural adhesives. The article provides information on fastener selection considerations, including corrosion compatibility, fastener materials and strength, head configurations, importance of clamp-up, interference fit fasteners, lightning strike protection, blind fastening, and sensitivity to hole quality. Types of fusion bonding are presented, namely, thermal welding, friction welding, electromagnetic welding, and polymer-coated material welding.