Читать книгу Handbook of Plastics Testing and Failure Analysis - Vishu Shah - Страница 11

Since the publication of the first edition, little has changed as far as the basic concepts and methods of plastics testing. What has changed is the manner in which the data is collected and analyzed. Since the advent of computers and digital instruments, data collection and subsequent analysis and interpretation have become much simpler and faster.

This revised edition attempts to update the book in line with the latest developments in the field of testing, data acquisition, and analysis. The photographs depicting the commercially available testing equipment have been replaced with newer versions. A new chapter covering uniform global testing standards has been added. This chapter also includes current information about computerized material selection, which allows the user to compare various test data and material ranking based on the test data with utmost speed and ease. the entire section on impact properties has been rewritten to include an expanded discussion of instrumented impact testing. The chapters on electrical weathering properties and material characteristics have been revised. Owing to significant changes and developments in flammability testing this chapter has also been updated. The chapter on failure analysis is expanded significantly to further satisfy the need of someone trying to determine a failure mechanism. The discussion on SQC/SPC in the chapter on quality control has been expanded along with the current trend toward “supplier certification.” The chapter on nondestructive testing has also been rewritten to include many other NDT techniques and the latest developments. The Appendix has been expanded to include plastics education degree programs and organizations. The list of test equipment suppliers has been updated and now includes appropriate web site addresses. The specification section includes ISO test method designations and ASTM/DOD cross references.

The author wishes to thank all those who helped to make this second edition possible for their constructive and candid comments, support, and guidance. In particular he wishes to thank professor Steven Driscoll (University of Massachusetts Lowell) and Professor Robert Speirs (Ferris State University) for their suggestions and guidance. Special thanks to R. Bruce Cassel of Perkin‐Elmer and Kurt Scott of Atlas Electric Devices Company for reviewing and improving the manuscript and to Steve Caldarola of SGS–U.S. Testing who assisted in updating the chapter on flammability. I wish to thank Peter Grady of Ceast U.S.A., John Dechristofaro of Dynisco–Kayeness, Brookfield Engineering, G.E. Plastics, Society of Plastics Industry, Instron Corporation, Underwriters Laboratories, Strain Optics, D.A.T.A. Publishing, Newport Scientific and many others for providing technical assistance and photographs for reproduction. Many thanks to James Galipeau and Mr. James Beauregard of Plastics Testing Laboratories for providing material on advances in plastics testing and for reviewing the entire manuscript.

Last, but not least, I thank my wife Charlene, my son Neerav, and my daughter Beejal for their understanding and patience during many evenings and weekends when I was wrapped up in the preparation of this revised edition.

Vishu Shah

Performance Engineered Products, Inc.Pomona, California