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Plastics Expert Witnesses

Plastics disputes in commercial litigation typically arise in product liability, manufacturing, and supply chain matters, when a plastic component or product fails and the parties disagree about whether the failure resulted from a material defect, improper design, or a manufacturing process error. These disputes surface in product liability litigation over whether a plastic part's design and material selection met applicable engineering and safety standards, in manufacturing and supply chain disputes over whether injection-molded or extruded plastic products conformed to contractual specifications, and in commercial disputes between suppliers and buyers over whether raw plastic materials met the composition and performance specifications a purchase agreement required. Because plastic failures depend on polymer composition, additive formulation, and processing conditions, determining the actual cause of a failure requires laboratory-based materials analysis rather than assumption. The central issue is typically whether the plastic material, design, or manufacturing process at issue met the specifications and standards that governed it.

A plastics expert helps attorneys establish that answer by applying polymer science and failure analysis methods to the material or product at issue. That might mean conducting spectroscopic and mechanical testing to determine whether a plastic component's material composition met its specifications, evaluating whether a product's design and wall thickness were appropriate for its intended application, or assessing whether injection molding or extrusion processing parameters caused a documented failure. These findings support positions on product liability, breach of warranty, and damages, and give attorneys a technically grounded basis for allocating responsibility among material suppliers, molders, and product designers.

Plastics cases benefit from experts whose specific background, whether polymer chemistry, plastics processing, or plastic product design and failure analysis, matches the precise material and application at issue rather than plastics in general terms. Round Table Group's plastics network includes materials scientists and plastics engineers with experience across polymer composites, thermoplastic processing, and failure analysis, several of whom have testified on plastics failures and manufacturing defects. With more than 75,000 expert searches completed for litigators, we help attorneys match a case's specific plastics issue to an expert whose credentials will withstand scrutiny. Let us help you find the right plastics expert for your case by calling us at (202) 908-4500.

Kinds of Cases We Work On

Round Table Group helps our clients find a wide variety of Plastics expert witnesses for cases like:

01

Injection Molded Bracket Component Failure.

An automotive parts supplier sued its resin supplier after a batch of injection-molded brackets exhibited unexpected brittleness in the field, causing a wave of warranty claims. We identified experts with experience in polymer science, resin material characterization, and injection molding process engineering. The expert's material testing confirmed the resin batch failed to meet the specified impact resistance properties, anchoring a substantial settlement.
02

Outdoor Polymer UV Degradation Claim.

An outdoor furniture manufacturer sued its plastic compounder after a line of products exhibited premature cracking and discoloration within roughly a year of installation, tracing the failure to inadequate UV stabilizer content. We identified experts with experience in polymer weathering and UV stability testing, plastics compounding, and material failure analysis. The expert's accelerated weathering testing confirmed the stabilizer package fell well short of the specified formulation, driving a substantial settlement.
03

Plastic Water Pipe Failure Claim.

A regional water utility sued a plastic pipe manufacturer after a significant number of newly installed pipe segments developed stress cracking years ahead of their rated service life. We identified experts with experience in plastic pipe materials engineering, stress crack resistance testing, and polymer failure analysis. The expert's fractography confirmed the pipe material did not meet the specified stress crack resistance rating, anchoring a recovery approaching $22 million.
04

Medical Device Plastic Component Defect.

A medical device manufacturer sued its plastic injection molder after a line of disposable device components exhibited dimensional defects that caused a malfunction rate high enough to trigger a field action. We identified experts with experience in medical-grade plastics engineering, injection molding quality control, and dimensional metrology. The expert's tolerance analysis traced the defects to a worn mold cavity, shifting liability for the recall costs to the molder.
05

Blow Molded Beverage Container Failure.

A beverage company sued its bottle manufacturer after a significant share of a production run of blow-molded containers failed under normal filling-line pressure, causing substantial product loss. We identified experts with experience in blow molding process engineering, plastic container wall thickness analysis, and packaging materials testing. The expert's wall thickness mapping confirmed the containers were produced outside the specified thickness distribution, supporting a favorable arbitration outcome.
06

Extruded Packaging Film Seal Failure.

A food packaging company sued its film extrusion supplier after defects in a run of packaging film caused widespread seal failures, resulting in a significant product recall for its customer. We identified experts with experience in plastic film extrusion, heat-seal performance testing, and packaging materials engineering. The expert's seal strength testing confirmed the film failed to meet the specified sealing performance, supporting a substantial recovery.
07

Recycled Plastic Content Misrepresentation Claim.

A national retailer sued its packaging resin supplier after independent testing revealed that resin certified as containing a specified minimum of post-consumer recycled content actually contained significantly less. We identified experts with experience in recycled plastics verification, polymer composition testing, and sustainability claims analysis. The expert's isotopic and compositional testing confirmed the recycled content fell well short of the certified level, resulting in a favorable settlement.
08

Bioplastic Compostability Claims Dispute.

A consumer products company sued its bioplastic resin supplier after independent testing showed a resin marketed as compostable failed to meet the biodegradation standard represented in the supply agreement, exposing the company to regulatory and marketing liability. We identified experts with experience in biodegradable polymer testing, compostability standards, and polymer chemistry. The expert's laboratory degradation testing confirmed the resin did not meet the represented compostability standard, anchoring a substantial recovery.
09

Flame Retardant Plastic Compliance Failure.

An electronics manufacturer sued its plastic compounder after housings molded from a supposedly flame-retardant compound failed certification testing, forcing a costly redesign and recertification effort. We identified experts with experience in flame retardant plastics formulation, UL certification standards, and polymer compounding. The expert's compositional testing confirmed the flame retardant additive was present at levels below the specified concentration, supporting a settlement exceeding $10 million.
10

Marine Composite Material Delamination Claim.

A marine component manufacturer sued its composite material supplier after hull panels exhibited delamination failures during sea trials, tracing the issue to inadequate resin-fiber bonding in the supplied material. We identified experts with experience in composite materials engineering, resin-fiber interface analysis, and structural composite failure analysis. The expert's microscopy findings confirmed a systemic bonding defect in the supplied laminate, driving a substantial settlement.

Here are a few of our favorite Plastics Expert Witnesses:

Plastics, Composites, Fiberglass Expert #15710

I have 30 years of experience in the field of plastics and composites, with specific knowledge in the areas of processing, failure behavior, and fire performance. I have published on such topics as thermoplastic matric composites, composite materials in transport and non-metallics in oil and gas. I have testified on blistering of sandwich panels, long fiber thermoplastics and failure of plastic knife handles.

 

Wisconsin Plastics Expert #16083

I have 30 years of experience in the field of plastics, with specific knowledge of plastic part and mold design, building and troubleshooting plastic molds, and presenting seminars and training on plastics. I have published on such topics as plastics processing, mold design and building, and troubleshooting. I have testified on plastic molds and design.

 

Massachusetts Injection Molding, Plastics Expert #23749

I have 16 years of experience in the field of injection molding, with specific knowledge of tooling, project management, and sales.

 

Massachusetts Polymer Engineering, Plastics Expert #25214

I have 40 years of experience, and specialize in the field of engineering mechanics and failure analysis with specific knowledge in the areas of polymers, rubbers and polymeric composite materials. I have published on such topics as experimental stress analysis, materials characterization, fire safe polymers, composites, solid propellants. I have testified 6 times on topics such as failure of plastics and rubbers. I have published over 300 articles in refereed journals and have 16 patents. I have considerable industrial as well as academic experience. I have been the recipient of several awards and the bulk of my research has been…

 

Delaware Polymer Materials, Plastics Expert #25627

I have 48 years of experience, and specialize in the field of materials science with specific knowledge in the areas of polymer materials, solidification and crystallization and structure characterization. I have published on such topics as polymer crystallization, diffraction theory and mechanical failure. I am the author of 200+ papers, largely on polymer materials (structure, structure development, and properties), synthetic fibers, and diffraction theory and methodology. I am the author of books on polymer materials, failure of polymers, diffraction theory, and polymer crystallization. I have also edited several books on like areas. I am associate editor of a journal in…

 

Your Case Deserves The Best Plastics Expert Witnesses

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The right expert witnesses and consulting experts can make your case. That’s why we have spent so many hours over the past quarter century making sure our clients have just the right expert team — whether one expert or many, early-stage advice or expert reports and testimony. Across over 50,000 expert search assignments, we have honed a unique, customized approach to identifying, analyzing and connecting with expert talent so you can focus on winning your case.

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Pennsylvania Polymers, Plastics, Rubber Expert #26919

I have 40 years of experience and specialize in the field of polymer science, with specific knowledge of polymer characterization, polymer blends and infrared spectroscopy. I have published on such topics as polymer vibrational spectroscopy, polymer characterization and polymer blends.

 

Ohio Packaging, Plastics, Glass Expert #29814

I have 2 years of experience, and specialize in the field of food packaging with specific knowledge in the areas of plastics, food safety and food shelf life. I have published on such topics as packaging materials, food contact material safety and food shelf life. I currently teach courses on food law, food packaging and food plant management to under graduate and graduate students at Ohio State University. My exposure to food law was gained while I was employed at the Food and Drug Administration for 5 plus years. While at FDA, a part of my assignment was to train…

 

Mississippi Testing, Plastics, Manufacturing Expert #33258

I have 31 years of experience, and specialize in the field of automobiles with specific knowledge in the areas of engine manufacturing, electromagnetic interference noise suppression and vehicle and component testing. I have published on such topics as engine testing and project management.

 

Pennsylvania Plastics, Polymer Additives Expert #36418

I have 50 years of experience, and specialize in the field of plastics with specific knowledge in the area of additives and modifiers and processing. I have published on such topics as tests and testing. I have testified on epoxy polymers, tooth paste and environment. I have received US Patents in five different decades: starting in 1968 and most recently in 2006.

 

Georgia Chemistry, Plastics Expert #36497

I have 20 years of experience and specialize in the field of plastics and additive chemistry, with specific knowledge of additive formulations to prevent long term environmental degradation and interpretation of analytical data predicting field performance. I have published on such topics as process and thermal stabilization of plastics, additives for packaging and trends in plastic additives. I have testified on commercial forecasting of polypropylene.

 

Plastics, Fracture Expert #40490

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of plastics, with specific knowledge in the areas of fracture, failure, and mechanical characterization. I have published on such topics as fracture mechanisms, scratch resistance, and polymer rheology. I have been chairman and on a subcommittee on ‘structure and properties of commercial plastics’.

 

Texas Plastics, Pipe Fittings Expert #36329

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of polymers, plastics with specific knowledge in the areas of failure of plastics, stabilization of plastics and plastics processing. I have published on such topics as plastic piping, trenchless technology and piping markets. I have testified at trial on sewer pipe rehabilitation. The polyethylene piping products that I developed have been sold for over twenty six years. Over 5 billion lbs and $3 B of sales of these products have occurred. These products have been in continuous service for that time and are projected to still be serviceable for…

 

Illinois Cosmetics, Forensics, Plastics Expert #41283

I have 15 years of experience and specialize in the field of product testing and development with specific knowledge in the areas of dyes, cosmetics and forensics. I have published on such topics as cosmetics, plastics and foreniscs. I have testified on security doccuments, ink and statistics.

 

Georgia Plastics, Polyolefins, Chemicals Expert #44999

I have 15 years of experience, and specialize in the field of plastics and chemicals with specific knowledge in the areas of business development, international regulation and biocides applications. I have published on such topics as new development of oxygen barrier packaging, reduction of VOC in agriculture and new food packaging technologies. I have testified on food additives, packaging and biocides applications.

 

Pennsylvania Plastics, Polymers, Materials Expert #45678

I have 15 years of experience, and specialize in the field of plastics with specific knowledge in the areas of thin films, coatings and nanomaterials. I have published on such topics as thin films, coatings and nanomaterials. I have been awarded the National Science Foundation Career Award, a highly competitive award that recognizes and supports research of young investigators.

 

Florida Plastics, Manufactruing, Polymer Expert #50241

I have 50 years of experience, and specialize in the field of plastics processing with specific knowledge in the areas of thermoplastic foams, thermoforming and rotational molding. I have published on such topics as plastics processing, thermoforming and thermoplastic foams. Even at my advanced age, I think I’m still pretty near the top of my technical game in my areas of expertise. Having said that, despite having a PhD and post-doc work, having been a professor in major universities, having hundreds of publications and dozens of books and book chapters, and having been a top researcher in several companies, somehow…

 

Illinois Plastics, Chemicals, Coatings Expert #50636

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of materials with specific knowledge in the areas of plastics, chemicals and air quality. I have published on such topics as polymers, indoor air quality and pharmaceuticals. I have testified on plastics, polymers and air quality.

 

Put Our Plastics Expert Network to Work for You

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Our huge network of experts – eminent university professors and practitioners who have achieved renown as thought leaders in their fields – combined with unparalleled research capabilities puts the experts you need at your disposal when and where you need them.

If you’re a litigator or general counsel, we want to put this network to work for you and your clients. Let us know how we can help by calling us at (202) 908-4500 or filling out the form on this page. We’re so confident you’ll love what we do that unless you retain an expert we present there’s no charge!

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Questions Attorneys Ask About Plastics Expert Witnesses:

A plastics expert typically becomes necessary in product liability litigation over whether a plastic part's design and material selection met applicable standards, manufacturing disputes over whether injection-molded or extruded products conformed to contractual specifications, and supplier disputes over whether raw plastic materials met purchase agreement specifications.
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Related topics

Environmental
Failure Analysis
Food Safety
Indoor Air Quality
Materials
Polymer
Spectroscopy
Statistics
Technology