TABLE OF CONTENTS The Handbook of Plastics Joining is a unique reference publication that provides detailed descriptions of joining processes and an extensive compilation of data on the joining of particular plastic materials. Although the basic characteristics of joining processes are generally well defined by manufacturers, data on joining particular plastics is not well compiled or easily accessed. This volume serves to turn the vast amount of disparate information from wide ranging sources (i.e., conference proceedings, materials suppliers, test laboratories, monographs, and trade and technical journals) into useful engineering knowledge.
Joining a molded plastic part to another part composed of the same or a different plastic material or to a metal is often necessary, when the finished assembly is too large or complex to mold in one piece, when disassembly and reassembly is necessary, for cost reduction, or when different materials must be used within the finished assembly. Thermoplastics are frequently joined by welding processes, in which the part surfaces are melted, allowing polymer chains to interdiffuse. Other methods used in joining plastics are adhesive bonding, in which a separate material applied at the bond line is used to bond the two parts, and mechanical fastening, which uses fasteners such as screws or molded-in interlocking structures for part attachment.
The information provided in this book ranges from a general overview of plastic joining processes to detailed discussions and test results. For users to whom the joining of plastics is a relatively new field, the detailed glossary of terms will prove useful.
