Includes bibliographical references and index.

Dedication -- About the authors -- Preface to the eighth edition -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations for plastics --Standard test methods -- Plastics materials : introduction and historical development -- The chemical nature of plastics polymerization -- States of aggregation in polymers -- Relation of structure to thermal and mechanical properties -- Relation of structure to chemical properties -- Relation of structure to electrical and optical properties -- Additives for plastics -- Fillers (including fiber reinforcements) -- Processing, design, and performance of plastics products -- Polyethylene -- Polypropylene and other polyolefins -- Plastics based on styrene -- Poly(Vinyl Chloride) -- Fluorine-containing polymers -- Miscellaneous vinyl thermoplastics -- Acrylic plastics -- Polycarbonates -- Aliphatic Polyamides -- Polyacetals -- Thermoplastic polyesters -- High-temperature engineering thermoplastics -- Cellulose plastics -- Bioplastics : new routes, new products -- Thermoplastic elastomers -- Aldehyde polymers : phenolics and aminoplastics -- Unsaturated polyester resins -- Epoxy resins -- Isocyanate-based polymers : polyurethanes, polyureas, polyisocyanurates, and their copolymers -- References -- Bibliography -- Technical reviews.