Achievements of the BPF Design Data Initiative for polymeric materials

Abstract A summary is given of the principal achievements of a major research programme funded by thirty industrial companies and government. This aimed to improve the basis for the provision, presentation and use of materials data which are required for product design with polymeric materials. A guiding principle was the belief that design data should respond to the specific needs of the designer, being compatible with design procedures, and not simply describing material characteristics. The programme was formulated in discussions involving more than seventy companies, and included four technical projects on mould filling and dimensional stability; durability in aggressive environments; adhesive bonding; and dynamic performance of elastomers. The principal results and achievements of these projects are recorded here. In addition, the results are presented of a study on the special needs of small and medium-sized companies, and high-priority areas are identified for further work. The paper provides a final report on one of a number of polymer property data initiatives which were reviewed earlier.