Metallurgy & Materials Science Series Compact discs, helmets and gas pipelines — these are diverse applications of plastic materials, each involving a unique engineering analysis. Plastics highlights these examples, but its thorough treatment of the science and engineering of plastic materials provides students, engineers and scientists with a foundation for the analysis of other plastic products. From the physical properties, explained in terms of microstructure, the book compares mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of plastics with alternative materials. Manufacturing processes are considered, and their impact on the design of plastic products. In the second edition, the presentation has been re-ordered to support learning on practically-oriented materials engineering courses. Major new sections have been added on materials selection and on the three design case-studies. There are questions for each chapter to test the reader’s understanding. A particular feature of the book is the high level of illustration throughout with many detailed micrographs and surface photographs. Cover photographs reproduced courtesy of Nimbus Records, Newport, UK; Lifecycle International, Newport, UK, distributors for Giro Sport Design Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, USA; and Permea Inc., St Louis, MO, USA. Also published by Edward Arnold Tribology: Friction and Wear of Engineering Materials I M Hutchings Light Alloys: Metallurgy of the Light Metals, Second Edition I J Polmear Steels: Microstructure and Properties R W K Honeycombe