Volume II of a two-part set for sophomore/junior level study of industrial materials. The course may be called materials, industrial materials, or materials science, and may be found in departments of mechanical, manufacturing and industrial technology, mechanical engineering, and industrial engineering in 2 and 4 year colleges. (Volume I is devoted to metals and alloys.) These books can be used together in a traditional, two- term course; or, independently in single-term courses tailored to specific materials and their properties/applications. This practical introduction to polymers, ceramics, and composites gives students the background they need to make optimal use of materials in a variety of manufacturing applications. The text's logical organization presents a wealth of information...along with case studies that provide realistic problem-solving situations involving actual industrial applications. Rather than focus on teaching computational skills or theoretical knowledge, it concentrates on imparting an understanding of how and when materials are used. Coverage examines specific applications and their requirements and relates those requirements to the properties of various materials, illustrating criteria for appropriate materials selection and techniques for maintaining control over materials properties during processing.