Characterization and Failure Analysis of Plastics

The new Volume 11B represents the first time the topic of characterization and failure analysis of plastics has been given its own volume in the ASM Handbook series. The volume had its origins in the ASM technical books Characterization and Failure Analysis of Plastics (2003) and Engineered Materials Handbook, Volume 2, Engineering Plastics (1988). Volume 11B contains divisions devoted to polymer science; material selection and design with engineering plastics; chemical, thermal, and physical analysis of plastics; mechanical behavior and testing of plastics; degradation mechanisms of plastics; failure analysis of plastics; and analysis and prevention of plastic product failures. The general principles of failure analysis are presented in the companion ASM Handbook, Volume 11: Failure Analysis and Prevention, which was published in 2021. Its divisions cover the practice of failure analysis, tools and techniques, fatigue and fracture, environmental and corrosion-related failures, wear failures, and distortion. Another companion volume, ASM Handbook, Volume 11A: Analysis and Prevention of Component and Equipment Failures, also published in 2021. It contains divisions devoted to engineering aspects of failure and prevention, structural life assessment methods, metal manufacturing aspects of failure, and failure analysis of metallic components.