Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing. The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends. This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering. - Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications - Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing - Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics

Dr. Joseph P. Greene is a retired professor with 20 years of teaching experience at the Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Sustainable Manufacturing Department of California State University, Chico. Prof. Greene received a PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1993 from the University of Michigan. He began teaching at California State University, Chico, in 1998 after a 14-year career with General Motors Corporation in Detroit, MI. His research interests include plastics materials for automotive applications, bio-based and biodegradable polymers, recycled plastics, composting technology, and anaerobic digestion.

Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing.

The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends.

This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering.

• Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications
• Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing
• Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics

1. Introduction 2. Polymer Materials 3. Microstructures of Polymers 4. Physical and Mechanical Properties 5. Rheology and Plastic Flow 6. Flow Analysis with Injection Molding 7. Commodity Plastics 8. Engineering Plastics 9. Elastomers and Rubbers 10. Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastics 11. Thermoset Polymers 12. Polymer Composites 13. Extrusion 14. Injection Molding 15. Blow Molding 16. Compression Molding 17. Recycling and Environmental Aspects 18. Design Aspects in Automotive Plastics and Composites 19. Additive Manufacturing in Automotive 20. Sustainable Car Appendix A. Answers to Questions