7 Best-Selling Plastics Books Millions Trust and Use

When Geza Gruenwald first realized that many plastics texts overcomplicate material properties with deep polymer chemistry, he crafted this book to focus on what truly matters for practitioners: how structure shapes properties. You learn to connect atomic and bonding characteristics directly with the macroscopic behavior of structural plastics, without wading through complex formulas. The initial chapters introduce chemical elements and reactive groups in an accessible way, making it approachable even if chemistry isn’t your background. This makes the book especially useful if you're a plastics parts designer or manufacturer needing clear explanations of material performance and processing methods rather than exhaustive chemistry details.

Susan Freinkel challenges the conventional wisdom that plastic is merely a convenience by tracing its complex role in modern life through eight everyday objects, from combs to credit cards. Drawing on her journalism background and extensive research, she reveals how plastics have become both indispensable and problematic, highlighting environmental damage and health risks tied to their production and disposal. You’ll gain insights into the chemical makeup of plastics, the scale of consumption, and the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This book suits anyone curious about the intersection of science, culture, and the environment, especially those wrestling with plastic's paradoxical presence in our lives.

This tailored book explores the intricate world of plastics structure and its practical applications, focusing keenly on your unique interests and background. It reveals how molecular arrangements influence material properties and performance, offering a clear path to mastering plastics science with insights drawn from widely valued knowledge. Covering core principles and extending to specific challenges you face, this personalized guide matches your goals in understanding and utilizing plastics effectively. Through a detailed yet accessible approach, it examines key topics such as polymer behavior, material selection, and application techniques, empowering you to deepen your expertise in plastics with content crafted specifically for your needs.

Beth Terry’s journey from surgery recovery to plastic-free advocate offers a grounded perspective on reducing plastic waste. You’ll learn practical methods for identifying plastic in everyday products, strategies to minimize your plastic footprint, and ways to engage with community efforts. Her personal anecdotes paired with data on environmental and health impacts provide a relatable yet informative read. This book suits anyone motivated to make meaningful lifestyle changes and curious about turning small actions into broader environmental impact.

After analyzing extensive industry cases and cutting-edge research, Charles A. Harper developed this exhaustive reference to plastic materials and manufacturing methods. You gain thorough insights into thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and composites, along with detailed processes like extrusion, injection molding, and filament winding. The handbook also covers fabrication techniques, post-production finishing, and recycling, providing a practical knowledge base rarely consolidated in one resource. If you work in plastics design, production, or engineering, this volume offers reliable, up-to-date technical information to support your projects and innovation efforts.

Unlike most plastics books that focus narrowly on applications, L. H. Sperling’s Introduction to Physical Polymer Science explores the fundamental science behind polymers shaping the plastics industry. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of molecular structures, morphology, and their effects on mechanical behavior, with chapters covering topics like glass transitions and rubber elasticity. The fourth edition expands into emerging areas such as nanocomposites and biomaterials interfaces, making it relevant if you’re studying or working in chemistry, materials science, or engineering. This book suits those who want a solid scientific foundation rather than just practical tips.

This tailored book explores actionable, step-by-step plans crafted specifically for plastics manufacturing professionals seeking rapid advancement. It covers methods to achieve tangible results quickly, balancing core industry principles with your unique background and interests. By focusing on your specific goals, it reveals how to streamline processes, enhance material handling, and optimize production workflows in plastics manufacturing. The personalized approach matches proven knowledge with your individual experience, making complex concepts approachable and immediately applicable. It examines practical techniques for improving efficiency and quality, all while addressing challenges distinctive to your role. This customization empowers you to gain targeted expertise without wading through unrelated content, accelerating your progress in plastics manufacturing.

When John Scheirs and Walter Kaminsky wrote this book, they tapped into decades of research on pyrolysis to offer a clear-eyed examination of turning waste plastics into valuable fuels like diesel. You get a detailed look at the science behind thermal and catalytic cracking, along with practical insights into which types of plastics are suitable for this recycling method. The book also explores commercial technologies and emerging co-pyrolysis approaches, such as mixing plastics with coal or rubber. If you're involved in waste management, chemical engineering, or sustainability efforts, this book equips you with a technical foundation and industry context that few other resources provide.

What started as a documentation of plastic's rapid rise in architecture became a detailed showcase of its versatile applications. Daab Books explores how plastics have reshaped design possibilities, offering insights into their use in walls, roofs, facades, and furniture, backed by dozens of architectural projects. You get a concrete sense of plastic’s role in making innovative designs more accessible, including an index linking you directly to designers and architects involved. If you’re engaged in architecture or material design, this book offers tangible examples rather than abstract theory, helping you understand plastics' practical impact on contemporary structures.