Focus on Plastics Processing

Plastics processing provides different methods to produce different products with the development of thermoplastic materials. Thus, focus on plastics processing is characterized with technologies, knowledge, and hi-tech involvement [2]. 

In the thermoplastic materials, production and processing occur in the molten state. Knowledge of flow behavior of the material is essential for all forms of production and processing [3]. Also, polymer processing is a multidisciplinary field that fuses with polymer physics and polymer chemistry. 

Plastic materials are the most versatile material and contribute in several aspects and in their initial stage as powder or granules. Plastic processing techniques are used to utilize the powder or granules for finished parts. The ability of thermoplastics to melt and re-harden has been exploited in many different processing methods [3-5]. 

Temperature and pressure are known to be two of the most influential variables in the rheological characteristics of polymer melt in plastics processing. It has long been realized by those in practice that the flow behavior of molten polymer is highly dependent upon these two variables. 

Plastics are available in the form of pellets, granules, and powder which can be extruded, blow molded, injection molded or rotational molded, to finished products. Knowledge of plastics to production to their end use properties has become important in view of material development [6-8]. 

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Second oldest (38 years) trade journal with strong technology focus on plastic processing. It is the industry s only magazine targeted solely at processors. Extensive on-line presence includes materials/machinery databases and suppliers directory. 

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