Handbook on Acrylics
of
Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers and Aquaria
by
Dr. Jerry D. Stachiw, P.E., B.S., M.S., D.Ed
Fellow ASME, Hon. Member ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codes and Standards Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy

Engineers and designers involved in the research and development of acrylic plastic viewports, acrylic pressure hulls for submersibles and hyperbaric chambers and panels for aquaria will find this book both practical and illustrative.  This fully documented design handbook is ideally suited for engineers, designers, operators, and inspectors of pressure vessels who need to know and understand the technology of viewport and hyperbaric chamber development. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of dynamic, short-term, cyclic, and long-term pressure loading on the structural integrity of the acrylic window. In addition, the safety factors recommended for their design, to preclude catastrophic failure, are covered in a separate section on the ANSI/ASME PVHO Safety Standard.

The book demonstrates in a practical, hand-on fashion the relationship between good engineering practices and uncompromised, safe acrylic viewports, hyperbaric chambers and aquaria. Materials, fabrication processes, distribution of stresses and strains in standard window shapes, critical pressures, bonding techniques, deterioration of acrylic material, and surface finishes are all discussed for the benefit of the designer. In addition, the designer, operator and/or inspector is made aware of how to care for acrylic in service and what things may harm or even destroy the usefulness of the acrylic. Using the information presented herein allows the engineer to design, fabricate and test numerous acrylic structures which will be safe, economical and long lasting.

• Section 1---The Quest for Underwater Vision
• Section 2---Introduction to Acrylic Plastic
• Section 3---Window Design Data
• Section 4---Structural Properties of Acrylic
• Section 5---Acrylic Aquaria Enclosures
• Section 6---Pressure-Resistant Windows
• Section 7---Plane Disc Windows
• Section 8---Plane Rectangular Windows
• Section 9---Conical Frustum Windows
• Section 10—Twin Beveled Windows
• Section 11—Spherical Sector Windows
• Section 12—Spherical Pressure Hulls
• Section 13—Cylindrical Windows
• Section 14—Illumination of Vessel Interiors
• Section 15—Stress Relieving Processes
• Section 16—Joining Acrylic Components
• Section 17—Effect of Submersion in Water
• Section 18—Crazing
• Section 19—Deterioration in Service
• Section 20—Optical Characteristics
• Section 21—Safety Standards

An expanded table of contents and order form can be obtained by clicking here.

A comprehensive review of this book is available by clicking here

This book, when ordered from this site,  also comes with two CDs filled with copies of papers about topics covered in the book.  If ordered separately, these two CDs would cost $300 alone.  To see details about the CDs click here.

Handbook on Acrylics 2003-Order: Printed Book, hardbound 1000+ pages:  Cost: $195.00 + S/H