Muralisrinivasan Subramanian is a plastics technology consultant specializing in materials, additives, and processing equipment, including troubleshooting. He obtained his B.Sc in Chemistry from the Madurai Kamaraj University and his M.Sc (1988) in Polymer Technology from Bharathiar University. He received his Post Graduate Diploma in Plastics Processing Technology from CIPET, Chennai. He has also completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer Science from Madurai Kamaraj University. Dr. Subramanian has worked in the plastics process industry, mainly in R & D, for 13 years before turning to consultancy and building up an internatioanal client base. In 2010 he published Update on Troubleshooting in Thermoforming with iSmithers Rapra Publishing.

The Basics of Troubleshooting in Plastics Processing is a condensed practical guide that gives the reader a broad introduction to properties of thermoplastics plastics, additives, the major processes (extrusion, injection molding, rotational molding, blow molding, and thermoforming), as well as troubleshooting. The main goal is to provide the plastics processor with an improved understanding of the basics by explaining the science behind the technology. Machine details are minimized as the emphasis is on processing problems and the defects in an effort to focus on basic root causes to problems and how to solve them.
The book's framework is troubleshooting in plastics processing because of the importance it has to the eventual production of high quality end products. Each chapter contains both practical and detailed technical information.
This basic guide provides state-of-the-art information on:
* Processing problems and defects during manufacturing
* Plastics materials, their properties and characterization
* The plastics processing techniques
* Plastics additives
* Troubleshooting of the 5 main plastics processes
* References for further reading

Preface.
1. Introduction.
1.1 Market Trends.
1.2 Importance of Plastics.
1.3 Plastics Processing.
1.4 Fundamental.
References.
2. Plastics Materials.
2.1 Properties and Processing.
2.2 Polyethylene.
2.3 Polypropylene (PP).
2.4 Polystyrene.
2.5 Polyvinylchloride (PVC).
2.6 Engineering Plastics.
2.7 Advantages.
2.8 Fundamental.
References.
3. Plastics Additives.
3.1 Antioxidants.
3.2 Anti-block Agents.
3.3 Antistatic Agent.
3.4 Clarifying Agents.
3.5 Slip Additives.
3.6 Processing Aids.
3.7 Antifogging Agents.
3.8 Antiblocking Agents.
3.9 Heat Stabilizers.
3.10 Lubricants.
3.11 Plasticizers.
3.12 Coupling Agents or Surface Modifiers.
3.13 Release Agents.
3.14 Flame Retardants.
3.15 Pigments.
3.16 Light Stabilizers.
3.17 Impact Modifiers.
3.18 Blowing Agents.
3.19 Nucleating Agents.
3.20 Biocides.
3.21 Fillers.
3.22 Fundamentals.
References.
4. Plastics Processing.
4.1 Focus on Plastics Processing.
4.2 Injection Molding.
4.3 Extrusion.
4.4 Blow Molding.
4.5 Thermoforming.
4.6 Rotational Molding.
4.7 Fundamental.
References.
5. Troubleshooting - Problems and Solutions.
5.1 Troubleshooting - Requirements.
5.2 Injection Molding - Troubleshooting.
5.3 Troubleshooting - Extrusion.
5.4 Troubleshooting - Blow molding.
5.5 Troubleshooting - Thermoforming.
5.6 Troubleshooting - Rotational molding.
References.
6. Future Trends.
6.1 Productivity.
6.2 Automotive Applications.
6.3 Medical Applications.
6.4 Environmental Issues.
6.5 Fundamentals.
References.
Index.