In previous years, advanced polymer composite technology has been driven primarily by the needs of the military and aerospace industries. However, certain properties of composite materials (e.g., strength, light weight and energy-efficiency) have enabled their emergence in consumer and commercial sectors. As the cost of developing and producing composites has decreased, their role in novel, potentially lucrative applications has increased. This volume is a concise reference book for someone who has just started working in the composites field to gain instant knowledge, as well as to pass contemporary information to technologists already active in the area. Moreover, the succinct, well-structured format of the handbook enables it to be employed as an educational resource. The chapters in this handbook have been written by experts in their fields (the chapter authors are all senior academics/research directors) and so the information on a particular subject area can be regarded as state-of-the-art. Each chapter is fully referenced, illustrated and includes case studies and applications of polymer composite fabrications. Topics covered include: Matrix polymers; Reinforcing agents; Fibre form processes; Moulding compounds; Prepregs; Hand lay-up/Spray-up method; Automated tape-laying method; Bag moulding process; Autoclave moulding; Compression moulding; Transfer moulding; Injection moulding; Wet winding; Dry winding; Post-impregnation; Pultrusion/Pulforming; Continuous laminating; Centrifugal casting; Cutting/Joining processes; Surface finish processes. About the editor... Güneri Akovali received his bachelor and master degrees in chemical engineering from Ankara University, whereas his doctorate was completed at the Middle East Technical University (METU). He obtained his Chair at METU in 1980 and founded the Polymer Science and Technology

Department at the same institution in 1993. Similarly, he founded the Polymer Science and Technology Society at Ankara University in 1994. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Department of Polymer Science and Technology, and the Department of Chemistry, at METU. Furthermore, he is the President-elect of the Turkish Polymer Science and Technology Society. He has written over one hundred papers in international refereed journals and five books, two of which have been edited by him. Professor Akovali has organised four National Polymer Symposia and is a permanent member of the Organising Committee of Euro-Asian Polymer Symposia. Additionally, he is on the Advisory Board of POLYCHAR Symposia (University of Texas) and the Journal of Polymer Materials (Oxford and IBH Publishing Company).