This text- and workbook provides a clearly written, comprehensive introduction to the major topics associated with plastics technology, from basic chemistry and processing methods to the problem of waste and the issue of recycling plastics. Guiding questions at the beginning of each lesson help the reader to work through the material in a targeted manner; success checks at the end of each lesson enable the reader to review what he/she has learned. It thus facilitates independent, self-paced learning, meeting the requirements of modern vocational training.

Prof. Christian Hopmann is, since 2011, Director of the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He studied Mechanical Engineering with a particular focus on Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen and received his doctoral degree, supervised by Prof. Walter Michaeli, in 2000. In 2005, he started his industrial career at RKW AG Rheinische Kunststoffwerke (today: RKW SE). From January 2010 until April 2011 he was Managing Director of RKW Sweden AB in Helsingborg, Sweden. Dr. Helmut Greif is former Managing Director of AGIT mbH (Aachener Gesellschaft für Innovation und Technologietransfer; Aachen Association for Innovation and Technology Transfer). Leo Wolters is the former head of the training and further education department of the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) in Aachen, which has been the leading center for plastics processing in Germany for more than 60 years.

Preface The Authors Translation Notes How to Use this Book Notes Abbreviations and Symbols Introduction Plastic - An Artificial Material? Lesson 1 Plastics Fundamentals Lesson 2 Raw Materials and Polymer Synthesis Lesson 3 Classification of Plastics Lesson 4 Deformation Behavior of Plastics Lesson 5 Time-Dependent Behavior of Plastics Lesson 6 Physical Properties Lesson 7 Fundamentals of Rheology Lesson 8 Plastic Applications Lesson 9 Plastics Compounding Lesson 10 Extrusion Lesson 11 Injection Molding Lesson 12 Fiber-Reinforced Composites (FRC) Lesson 13 Plastic Foams Lesson 14 Thermoforming Lesson 15 Additive Manufacturing Lesson 16 Plastic Welding Lesson 17 Machining Plastics Lesson 18 Bonding of Plastics Lesson 19 Plastic Waste Lesson 20 Plastics Recycling Lesson 21 Qualification in Plastics Processing Appendix Selected Literature Appendix Glossary of Plastics Technology Appendix Answers