High performance plastics are replacing traditional materials in hostile environments. They possess characteristics such as exceptional strength, lightweight, temperature resistance (usually in excess of 160C), chemical resistance and dimensional stability. In addition, plastics are relatively easy to process and can be coloured (or transparent) and moulded to create innovative and attractive structures. The fun car market illustrates the increasing use of plastics materials and the versatility and appeal needed in materials for todays marketplace.

This two day international conference brought together experts discussing the latest developments in materials including properties, processing and applications.

List of Papers
SESSION 1: MARKET OVERVIEW
Paper 1 - Engineering and high performance plastics, now and in 2015
Dr Francoise Pardos, Pardos Marketing, France

SESSION 2: SELF-REINFORCED POLYMERS
Paper 2 - Self-reinforced polymer - a new innovation in engineering polymers
Chris Vince, Ensinger Ltd, UK, Larry DiSano, Ensinger Inc, USA & Nick Malkovich, Mississippi Polymer Technologies Inc, USA

SESSION 3: POLYCARBONATE
Paper 3 - High heat polycarbonate
Dr Melanie Mthrath, Axel Sandquist & Dr Ulrich Liman, Bayer MaterialScience AG, Germany

SESSION 4: POLYESTERS
Paper 4 - Isothermal crystallization behaviour a newly developed temperature resistant polyester PCT
Dr Aifang Yu, Jianzhong Lu & Xiangan Huang, Donghua University, China and Peilan Chen, Shanghai Synthetice Fiber Research Institute, China
Paper 5 - Innovative surface finishing techniques with high performance technical films
Dr Martin Wielptz & Michael Beyer, Degussa Ag, Germany
Paper 6 - Cyclics thermoplastics - Improving processing and performance of polyesters
Martin Rsch, Cyclics Europe GmbH, Germany

SESSION 5: POLYAMIDES
Paper 7 - High performance semi-crystalline materials: smart solutions for smart designs
Brian Alexander, Solvay Advanced Polymers GmbH, Belgium
Paper 8 - High temperature nylon for demanding applications
Werner Zst, EMS Grivory, Switzerland

SESSION 6: POLYIMIDES
Paper 9 - PA46 offers integral cost-down opportunities in high-demanding metal-to-plastic replacements
Paul Habets, DSM Engineering Plastics, Netherlands
Paper 10 - The use of polyimides in high-temperature sliding applications
Pieter Samyn, P De Baets & G Schoukens, Ghent University, Belgium
Paper 11 - Development of transparent, flexible, low color, anti-static polyimides for advanced spacecraft
Dr John W Connell & Joseph G Smith Jr, NASA, USA, Kent A Watson, National Institute of Aerospace, USA and Donovan M Delozier, National Research Council Research Associate, USA

SESSION 7: REVIEW OF HIGH PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
Paper 12 - An overview of structural thermoplastics for aerospace applications
Dr John Connell, NASA, USA
Paper 13 - Thermoplastic nanocomposites
Prof Steve Shaw, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), UK

SESSION 8: POLYSULFONES
Paper 14 - Sulfone polymers - key properties and markets
Wolf Sanner, Solvay Advanced Polymers GmbH, Germany

SESSION 9: PEEK
Paper 15 - PEEK Polymer: High Performance Solutions for the Oil and Gas Industry
Dr Craig Meakin, Victrex plc, UK

SESSION 10: LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS
Paper 16 - LCP, New Horizons beyond E/E
Dr Achim Hofmann, Ticona GmbH, Germany

SESSION 11: FLUOROPLASTICS
Paper 17 - Melt processable fluoroplastics
G Biressi, Solvay Solexis, Italy, Brigitte Neubauer, Solvay Solexis, Belgium, & A Lueghamer, Agru Kunststofftechnik, Austria

SESSION 12: APPLICATIONS
Paper 18 - Chemical grouting in sewer repair
Paul Raats, KEMA, The Netherlands