This introductory text is an important resource for new engineers, chemists, students, and chemical industry personnel to understand the technical aspects of polypropylene which is the 2nd largest synthetics polymer in manufactured output.

The book considers the following topics: What are the principal types of polypropylene and how do they differ? What catalysts are used to produce polypropylene and how do they function? What is the role of cocatalysts and how have they evolved over the years? How are industrial polypropylene catalysts tested and the resultant polymer evaluated? What processes are used in the manufacture of polypropylene? What are the biopolymer alternatives to polypropylene? What companies are the major industrial manufacturers of polypropylene? What is the environmental fate of polypropylene?

Injection blow molding is one of the main processes used in the blow molding industry. And although you may find information on this topic in general books on blow molding, the coverage is skimpy and lacking in details. None of them supply the sharply focused, essential information you will find in Samuel Belcher's Practical Guide to Injection Blow Molding. Taking a straightforward approach, the book explores the entire industry from conception, design, costing, tooling, and machinery, to troubleshooting, testing, and daily production.

The author, a highly knowledgeable industry insider, and a member of "The Plastics Hall of Fame," discusses the history of the industry, as well as the ins and outs and dos and don'ts of its daily workings, reinforcing the information in the text with pictures, charts, and figures. He instructs in product and tooling design and material and machine selection, explaining the advantages and the disadvantages and elaborating on efficiencies that can be realized. The book also details basic costing procedures considering resin costs, machine costs, tooling, labor, energy, floor space, overhead, and sales and administration.

Together, the nano explosion and the genomic revolution are ushering in a new frontier in drug delivery. In recent years we've seen how polymers can play a crucial role in controlling the rate of drug release, enhancing solubility and uptake, and limiting degradation and toxicity. In the very near future, they may well be used to deliver gene therapy. While Polymers in Drug Delivery offers much new insight for the veteran specialist, this work has been compiled with the non-specialist in mind. It includes contributions from many of the world's leading drug delivery specialists, yet avoids jargon and presents background information that initiates the next generation of scientists into the amazing work going on at the frontiers of this rapidly evolving science. Targeting specific issues at the forefront of drug delivery today, this engaging volume- * Outlines the issues that must be considered when selecting a polymer for fabricating a drug delivery agent or other medical devices * Explains the more commonly used methods by which polymers may be characterized prior to use * Profiles polymer matrices that have been used in the formulation of solid oral dosage forms, drug delivery scaffolds, and hydrogels * Examines the issues surrounding the encapsulation of biologics within microspheres * Explores the use of nanoparticulates, especially solid nanoparticles and nanocapsules prepared from largely-water-insoluble cyanoacrylate polymers * Discusses polymeric micelles and investigates the potential of soluble polymer prodrugs and polymer nanomedicines * Details the contribution made by polymers and dendrimers to the gene delivery effort, which may one day lead to effective treatments for largely incurable diseases Noting a dramatic paradigm shift that is bridging the gap between materials science and life science, the editor's have compiled this volume to paint an interdisciplinary portrait of drug delivery that will challenge young scientists to turn their attention and effort towards this critical branch of biomedicine. Containing state-of-the-art information for drug delivery scientists, it is also a great choice for medical and pharmaceutical students and others seeking an in-depth introduction to the field.

Compostable Polymer Materials, Second Edition, deals with the environmentally important family of polymers designed to be disposed of in industrial and municipal compost facilities after their useful life. These compostable plastics undergo degradation and leave no visible, distinguishable, or toxic residue. Environmental concerns and legislative measures taken in different regions of the world make composting an increasingly attractive route for the disposal of redundant polymers. This book covers the entire spectrum of preparation, degradation, and evironmental issues related to compostable polymers. It emphasizes recent studies concerning compostability and ecotoxilogical assessment of polymer materials. It descibes the thermal behavior, including flammability properties, of compostable polymers. It also explores possible routes of compostable polymers waste disposal through an ecological lens. Finally, the book examines the economic factors at work, including price evolution over the past decade, the current market, and future perspectives. Compostable Polymer Materials is an essential resource for graduate students and scientists working in chemistry, materials science, ecology, and environmental science.

Polymers are among the major hallmarks of 20th-century science, and the explosive outgrowth and tremendous importance of polymeric foams is a testament to their amazing versatility and unique properties. With applications from automotive to acoustic and medical, polymeric foams pervade all areas of our lives. If this growth is to continue into the new millennium, especially in light of stringent environmental regulations, a strong understanding of the basic science and the major technologies behind foam production is critical. Written by experienced and accomplished leaders in the field, Polymeric Foams: Science and Technology provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals, technologies, applications, and recent developments. The authors first outline the basic principles and fundamental foaming mechanisms, covering thermodynamics, kinetics, and the basics of blowing agents and foam formation. Foaming technologies and product applications then become the focus, with explanations of structure-property relationships, processing methods, and general types of foams. The book concludes with chapters on recent developments in composite and biodegradable foams that illustrate how to tailor processing to meet application needs. Illuminating the role of polymeric foams in the modern materials landscape, Polymeric Foams: Science and Technology is the perfect guide for developing innovative materials that achieve better performance and regulatory compliance.

Handbook of Curatives and Crosslinkers presents the mechanisms of action of these additives, methods of their use, their effects on properties of transformed products, and their applications. Chapters cover the common use of curatives in many industrial products manufactured in large scale, such as adhesives, sealants, coatings, inks, explosives, propellants and foams, and in emerging products, such as optoelectronics, shape-memory applications, light-emitting diodes, and more. In addition, crosslinkers used in typical industrial processing methods, such as solar cells, vulcanization, adhesives, foams and roofing are covered. Each section presents the effect of the additive, including an evaluation of its chemical and physical properties.

Natural/Bio-fiber composites are emerging as a viable alternative to glass fiber composites, especially for automotive, building, and consumer product industries applications. Natural fibers are becoming one of the fastest growing additives for thermoplastics. Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Their Biocomposites presents comprehensive knowledge in the area of bio-fibers, biopolymers, and biocomposites in one text. Chapters provide a clear understanding of the present state and the growing utility of biocomposites. Contributors are foremost experts on biobased materials and together they provide the only book available that focuses on biobased materials.

Welding Skills, Processes and Practices Level 2 is THE textbook to support Welding and Fabrication courses and is an ideal training tool to support assessment practice and to underpin concepts and theory. The textbook has been specifically designed to align the major awarding body qualifications in welding and metal fabrication and the comprehensive coverage crosses from techniques and design and testing right down to interpersonal skills, health and safety and customer care.

This book represents the first in a series entitled Polymeric Foams: Technology and Applications. Generally, thermoplastic and thermoset foams have been treated as two separate practices in industry. Polymeric Foams: Mechanisms and Materials provides the basics of foaming in general, providing a convenient and strong foundation to those working in both thermoplastic and thermoset foams. The book addresses scientific principles behind polymeric foaming and presents foaming chemistry and physics, resin and blowing agents, and foaming mechanisms in separate chapters, thus providing an overall and fundamental understanding of foaming for polymeric foam products and processes.

Simulation Methods for Polymers is the only comprehensive source to delineate the technical steps and efficacy of contemporary polymer simulation methods using a highly instructive, easy-to-grasp format, and it offers a logical sequence of polymer physics background, methods, calculations, and application guidelines. Including coverage of recently developed techniques and algorithms for modeling and simulation, this reference/text also provides an introduction to the statistical mechanics of the various simulation techniques presented and explores coarse-graining, CONNFFESSIT simulation, dissipative particle dynamics, and dynamic density functional theory approaches.

Plastics possess properties that have revolutionized the manufacture of products in the 20th century and beyond. It remains critical to understand their behavior throughout their life cycle, from manufacture to use and eventually to reclamation and disposal. This volume highlights the most prominent tools in physical and chemical analysis techniques and applications. A practical reference for performing measurements, solving problems, and investigating behavioral phenomena, the editors advocate a phenomenological approach, relying on case studies and illustrations to represent possible outcomes of each technique and presenting the basic governing equations where necessary.

Citing recently realized applications for extruders as polymerization, modification, and degradation reactors and presenting a telling array of new research results and illustrative experimental cases, Reactive Extrusion Systems sheds light on the complex set of interactions underlying reactions in extruders. The book succeeds as a three-part survey of the chemical phenomena behind reactive extrusion, mechanisms operant in particular reactions, and approaches to tackling advanced engineering problems. Written by an accomplished field authority, it works through issues involving scale-up from laboratory to production-size equipment, process stability, and more.

Highlighting a broad range multiscale modeling and methods for anticipating the morphologies and the properties of interfaces and multiphase materials, this reference covers the methodology of predicting polymer properties and its potential application to a wider variety of polymer types than previously thought possible. A comprehensive source, the book features discussions of the interplay between thermodynamic and kinetic factors in multiphase materials, analytical and numerical methods for predicting thermoelastic and transport properties of multiphase materials, mechanical properties under large deformation, and influence of interfaces via simulations.

Building on the success of its predecessor with completely revised material and six new chapters, the Handbook of Polypropylene and Polypropylene Composites, Second Edition responds to increasing interest and changing global trends in the manufacture and application of polypropylene resin. The authors highlight viable options for the manufacture of polypropylene composites to better accommodate market requirements across various industries. The second edition introduces chapters on high-purity submicron talc fillers with lamellar microstructures, the utilization of Wollastonite fibers for polypropylene reinforcement, and updated material on nanocomposite production using exfoliated clay treated with maleated polypropylene-based materials, among many other topics.

The "Databook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives" contains detailed information on over 300 important additives for polymers additives which are used to minimize adhesion, aid separation and enhance processing and end-applications for polymers. The variety of additives available makes this databook an invaluable source of information for industry, research, and academia.

Each additive is presented with data in the following categories: General Information; Physical Properties; Health and Safety; Ecological Properties; and Use and Performance. The Databook includes a large amount of data, from state, odor, and color to autoignition temperature and probability of biodegradation. Recommendations are given for specific products, processing methods and mold materials, and an assessment is given for each additive's features and benefits, enabling practitioners to select the correct additive for each situation.
Contains the most extensive data available on a large number of antiblocking, release and slip additives for polymersFeatures 130 data fields for each additive, divided into the following categories: General Information, Physical Properties, Health and Safety, Ecological Properties, and Use and PerformanceIncludes an assessment of benefits and properties of each additive, recommended dosages and processing methods"

Including chemical, synthetic, and cross-disciplinary approaches; this book includes the necessary techniques and technologies to help readers better understand polymers for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The methods in the book are essential to researchers and scientists in the field and will lead to further development in polymer and fuel cell technologies.- Provides complete, essential, and comprehensive overview of polymer applications for PEM fuel cells- Emphasizes state-of-the-art developments and methods, like PEMs for novel fuel cells and polymers for fuel cell catalysts- Includes detailed chapters on major topics, like PEM for direct liquid fuel cells and fluoropolymers and non-fluorinated polymers for PEM- Has relevance to a range of industries - like polymer engineering, materials, and green technology - involved with fuel cell technologies and R&D

Hierarchical Composite Materials provides an in-depth analysis of a class of advanced composites that have properties that are anisotropic due to structural organization at different length scales. Chapters address how ordering occurs from the atomic-scale up to the microstructure and how control of these factors leads to the final materials' properties. Manufacturing procedures, properties, and applications of different functionally graded materials are discussed in detail. This book is ideal for materials scientists, mechanical engineers, chemists and physicists.

"Provides the latest authoritative research on the developments, technology, and applications of rubbery materials. Presents structures, manufacturing techniques, and processing details for natural and synthetic rubbers, rubber-blends, rubber composites, and thermoplastic elastomers. 80% revised and rewritten material covers major advances since publication of the previous edition."

"Describes new modification methods and applications for natural, synthetic, thermoplastic, and thermoset polymers that result from economic forces, commercial processes, and the latest research and development. Features chemical and physical technologies such as sulfonation, alkylation, acid/base hydrolysis, hydrogenation, stress orienting, annealing, crystallization, and more."

Your search for the perfect polymers textbook ends here - with Polymer Science and Technology. By incorporating an innovative approach and consolidating in one volume the fundamentals currently covered piecemeal in several books, this efficient text simplifies the learning of polymer science.

The book is divided into three main sections: polymer fundamentals; polymer formation and conversion into useful articles; and polymer properties and applications. Polymer Science and Technology emphasizes the basic, qualitative understanding of the concepts rather than rote memorization or detailed mathematical analysis. Since the book focuses on the ultimate property of the finished product, it minimizes laborious descriptions of experimental procedures used for the characterization of polymers. Instead, the author highlights how the various stages involved in the production of the finished product influence its properties. Well-organized, clear-cut, and user-friendly, Polymer Science and Technology is an outstanding textbook for teaching junior and senior level undergraduates and first year graduate students in an introductory course covering the challenging subject of polymers.

A study of the physical, mechanical and corrosion resistant properties of all the most common commercially available plastics and elastomers. It offers examples of typical applications and describes methods of joining. The physical, mechanical and corrosion resistant properties of 32 thermoplastics, 20 thermosets, and 27 elastomers are provided. There are more than 300 tables and chemical structures.

Distinguishing among blends, alloys and other types of combinations, clarifying terminology and presenting data on new processes and materials, this work present up-to-date and effective compounding techniques for polymers. It offers extensive analyses on the challenging questions that surround miscibility, compatibility, dynamic processing, interaction/phase behaviour, and computer simulations for predicting behaviours of polymer mixture and interaction.

This volume reviews a wide range of processing methods which are currently being used for plastics and composites. Special focus lies on advancements in automation, in development of machines and new software for modeling, new materials for ease in manufacturing and strategies to increase productivity.

Numerous practical problems connected to triboelectric phenomena remain unsolved in both the fabrication and behavior of polymer threads and fabrics in a variety of industrial articles. Using the results of unique experiments carried out in the countries of the former Soviet Union, this volume fills a gap in the science of tribology, presenting fundamental information on the nature of physical and chemical processes governing and accompanying tribodeformation and tribodisintegration of polymers. Details on electrophysical phenomena such as contact electrification and emergence of the electret state in polymer materials are also provided.