This is a practical reference guide to the manufacture and use of rigid and semi-rigid plastic containers. It also covers the materials from which they are made. Certain multi-material containers where the plastic component plays a significant part are also featured. The emphasis is on application and the book covers such broad topics as: the properties of the plastics used in packaging and how these are used to assist material selection; the applications for these containers in areas such as food and drink, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries; the various methods by which plastics are converted into package forms; the ways of determining the properties of plastics and assessing their significance to the converter or end-user; the range of additives used in plastics and the types of closures used. The book is aimed at technologists in the field of packaging and plastics and at students of polymer science and those studying for the membership examinations of the Institute of Packaging and the Institute of Materials.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Material selection: polyolefins - polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ionomers; styrene polymers and copolymers - unmodified or crystal polystyrene, high impact polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, acryolnitrile/butadiene/styrene; vinyls - poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), vinylidene chloride copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers; polyamides (nylons) - characterization, physical properties, chemical properties; acrylics - polyacrolonitrile, high nitrile polymers; poly (ethylene terephthalate) and copolymers - manufacture, physical properties, chemical properties, crystalline PET (CPET), copolymers; polycarbonate - physical properties, chemical properties, uses. Part 2 Manufacturing and ancillary processes: extrusion - construction, sheet extrusion, extrusion blow moulding, coextrusion; injection moulding - outline of process, machine characteristics, machine types, machine variables, mould design, quality of mouldings, moulding defects, safety, automation and controls, structural foam moulding; blow moulding - injection blow moulding, extrusion blow moulding, stretch blow moulding, blow moulding developments; thermoforming - vacuum forming, pressure forming, matched mould forming, machine variable, solid phase pressure forming (SPPF), blister packaging, thermoform/fill/seal (TFFS), possible defects; rotational moulding - processing, stress cracking, applications; moulding and extrusion of expanded polystyrene - moulding, sheet extrusion, possible defects; printing and decoration - background ornamentation, labelling, printing; choice of forming methods. Part 3 Applications: food and drink - milk, other dairy products, beverages, coffee, cocoa and drinking chocolate, oils and fats, jams and preserves, tomato ketchup, meat and meat products, miscellaneous food products, transit containers, modified atmosphere packing (MAP); pharmaceutical and health care products - solids, semi-solids, liquids, health care packaging, the future; cosmetics and toiletries - packaging criteria, solids, powders and granules, pastes and creams, liquids; household chemicals - solids, liquids; miscellaneous products - motor oils, greases, petroleum, paraffin, anti-freeze and brake fluids, car care products, paints, agricultural chemicals, DIY products, fluoridation. Part 4 Properties of plastics and their significance: general, dimensional texts, thermal tests, mechanical tests, transmission texts (permeability), texts on containers, chemical properties, the importance of bottle design. Appendices: additives for plastics - processing aids, end use additives; closures - function of a closure, closure design, special closures, dispenses.