This Rapra Review Report covers semi and non-crystalline thermoplastics, polymer blends and various classes of reinforcing fibres, and the properties which determine their suitability for specific applications. The author explains the effects of reinforcement on mechanical and thermal properties, and describes the long term properties of reinforced thermoplastics subjected to external forces, heating, weathering, chemical attack and frictional wear. A detailed discussion of the injection moulding of reinforced thermoplastics includes the effect of processing on fibre distribution and breakage.

A final section on applications of thermoplastic composites describes their use in telecommunications, medical devices, sporting goods and automotive applications, and provides an indication of the potential of these valuable materials.

This review is supported by an indexed section containing some 492 abstracts of published papers from the Polymer Library.