Plastic materials (and their additives) are selected for a particular application on the basis of quality, cost, and performance, established by standardized test procedures. This article centers on the physical and mechanical properties of plastics and their evaluation. Following an introduction on plastics, their macromolecular structures, and composition, properties, such as density, viscosity, diffusion and barrier properties, moisture and ash content, viscoelastic properties and their testing, and plastic degradation are discussed. Testing methods of materials properties, to make sure that they meet technical requirements, are also discussed.
The article guides the reader in selecting plastic materials for given applications, by considering systematically important properties and the way they relate to operating conditions and quality.