Handbook of Odors in Plastic Materials, 3rd Ed.

This handbook will be of value to a wide range of people involved in the plastics industry, including plastic manufacturing engineers, material scientists and production personnel, quality assurance managers, and laboratory technicians.

It is the first book ever written on this crucial subject. The third edition contains a thorough review of the most recent data, achievements, and information in this less-known but very significant field of polymer modification. The odour of the product may decide whether a product is purchased by a customer or not. Odour is also an important reason for customer complaints, legislative work, legal disputes, and product returns. In scented products, the retention of volatile components is of particular interest. Many leading companies have recognized this as an opportunity, and they actively study and modify odours typical of their products.

Several reasons are behind the formation of odours in plastic materials, including:

1. Properties of polymer
2. Use of other materials than polymer, especially materials required in processing (additives)
3. Process parameters and their effect on the severity of degradation of components of the formulation
4. Exposure to different forms of radiation and oxygen
5. Recycling of polymeric materials
6. Contact with other products
7. Storage
a. Diffusion-related properties
b. Migration-evaporation
c. Storage in the same space

The above reasons are analyzed for different materials to find out the best methods to prevent unwanted odour formation. Three chapters are devoted to the analysis of odour-related matters in different polymers, products, and methods of processing. Almost forty polymers and forty-two product groups are analyzed based on research publications and patents.

Other important chapters discuss the mechanism of odour formation and its transport within a material, distinctive odours found in plastic materials, taste, and fogging.

The book also contains information on testing odour changes, the relationship between odour and toxicity, as well as a selection of raw materials for fog-free products.

Handbook of Odors in Plastic Materials presents a comprehensive treatise of the state-of-the-art in all aspects of plastic odour. It covers general techniques for testing, evaluation, and control of plastic odours; identification techniques for plastics derived from renewable feedstocks; deodorants and antiozonants; waste management and its impact on the environment; legislation affecting plastic odour-related products; and future trends toward environmental sustainability.

The Handbook of Odors in Plastic Materials is needed by anyone interested in plastic materials. The book contains complete information based on hard-to-find source publications and numerous patents.