This book originated from my Publisher's request for anew, concise account of PVC plastics in terms of their nature, properties, process­ ing, and applications. There is thus, inevitably, an extensive thematic overlap with my-still relatively recent-PVC Technology (4th edi­ tion), and I have drawn liberally on that source for a substantial amount of relevant basic material. However, the present book is by no means merely an abridgement of the earlier one: whilst indeed considerably shorter, it is not only comparable in scope and general coverage of the subject, but also contains much new information. I have made a point of again strongly featuring the numerous standards relevant-and in many cases cardinal-to the testing and characterisa­ tion of PVC materials and products, and to the evaluation of their properties and performance: these standards are an indispensable part of the technology of PVC plastics, and nobody concerned with any aspect of this complex subject should fail to recognise that fact. It is ever a pleasure to express appreciation and thanks where they are due. I am grateful to Dipl-Ing. H. E. Luben of Brabender OHG, Duisburg, FRG, not only for the up-to-date information he provided on Brabender equipment, but also most particularly for his exception­ ally friendly, helpful attitude in all our contacts, and for the trouble he took to make some illustrations and figures available in the form convenient for direct reproduction.