Forensic Polymer Engineering: Why Polymer Products Fail in Service, Second Edition presents and explains the latest forensic engineering techniques used in the investigation of failed polymer materials that are illustrated with a very large number of detailed case studies which show the different types of failure and the forensic engineering techniques used in their investigation. In this updated edition, new case studies have been added to include patent disputes and failed products such as spiral wound wall storage tanks, lithium battery explosions, water bottle failures, and breast implant failures (such as the PIP scandal). New images demonstrating failure have been included, and images from the previous edition are reproduced in color and enhanced with additional explanatory detail. With a dedicated focus on polymeric materials, the book includes details on the experimental techniques that are used to characterize the materials, particularly in cases of failure. Finally, the book has information on the fabrication of polymer devices, as manufacturing flaws often play a role in failure.

A catheter used to transfer vital fluids splits during surgery.
A wheel detaches from a moving car on the highway.
A small gear tooth breaks from a chisel and flies into a mechanic's eye.

How did these accidents occur and were they preventable? Peter Lewis, Ken Reynolds, and Colin Gagg are seasoned forensic engineers who have been commissioned by insurance companies, lawyers, and private clients to investigate a variety of mechanical accidents that allegedly involved faulty equipment. The causes of these failures have varied - from manufacturing defects to user negligence to a combination of both - but their outcomes are often the same: huge financial loss, and sometimes even the immeasurable loss of life.

Case studies are the most valuable source of information for manufacturers striving to improve their products. In Forensic Materials Engineering: Case Studies, the authors offer stories of real accidents and thorough assessments of what went wrong. Unlike other case study presentations, they focus on not just the technical details, but also other vital aspects, including human error, turning points in the investigations, and the litigation involved. Presented in chronological order, each well-illustrated case study includes legal background, reports the case results, and highlights the lessons learned from the case.

New materials and applications appear constantly, and with them, new failure modes. Examining various materials in a range of situations, Forensic Materials Engineering: Case Studies provides an outstanding opportunity to gain virtual experience through up-to-date facts and feedback from forensic engineering practitioners.