This comprehensive compilation of contemporary research initiatives in polymer science & technology details the advancement in the fields of coatings, sensors, energy harvesting and gas transport. Polymers are the most versatile material and used in all industrial sectors because of their light weight, ease of processing and manufacturing, the ability to mold into intricate shapes, and its cost-effectiveness. They can easily be filled with a range of reinforcing agents like fibers, particulates, flakes and spheres in micro/nano sizes and compete with conventional materials in terms of performance, properties and durability. Polymers continue to be discovered and the demand for them is increasing. The book comprises a series of chapters outlining recent developments in various high performance applications of Advanced Polymeric Materials. The topics covered encompass specialized applications of polymeric matrices, their blends, composites and nanocomposites pertaining to smart & high performance coatings, high barrier packaging, solar energy harvesting, power generation using polymers, polymer sensors, conducting polymers, gas transport membranes and smart drug delivery systems. Thus, the theme of the book embraces all the latest innovations and future applications of polymers and related materials. What is novel about this book is that it delineates the applications from a research point of view through descriptions highlighting specific developmental criteria.

Given such properties as low density and high strength, polymer matrix composites have become a widely used material in the aerospace and other industries. Polymer matrix composites and technology provides a helpful overview of these materials, their processing and performance. After an introductory chapter, part one reviews the main reinforcement and matrix materials used as well as the nature of the interface between them. Part two discusses forming and molding technologies for polymer matrix composites. The final part of the book covers key aspects of performance, including tensile, compression, shear and bending properties as well as impact, fatigue and creep behaviour. Polymer matrix composites and technology provides both students and those in industry with a valuable introduction to and overview of this important class of materials.

The authors of this book examine polyethers and polyethylene glycol. The first chapter in particular gives a systematic, balanced and comprehensive summary of the main aspects of photosensitive polyethylene glycol. The second chapter is a focus on the biodegradation of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and polyethoxylated surfactants. The third and last chapter of this book focuses on polyethylene glycol based phase change polymers for thermal energy storage applications. Life nowadays is often centered around technologies, and it is of utmost important to have the primary and secondary resources ready for present and future needs. This last chapter addresses these concerns and various procedures in which thermal energy can be stored and used.

The agricultural sector is the main source of raw materials for biopolymers such as soy protein isolates (SPI), natural fibers, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), and many more. Over the years, the biopolymer sector has witnessed significant developments due to substantial investments that have been made in green technologies/processes. Apart from this, focus has also been given to improving the performance of the existing thermoplastic as well as thermoset polymers and synthetic fiber based composites. With the onset of green technology/process, agriculture has witnessed rapid transformation, which in turn has opened new avenues for the development of commonly available synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene from sugarcane. In fact, facilitating the commercialization of innovative processes/technologies developed in the laboratories is the first step. The second step is to take the products fabricated in the first step to the next level, i.e. the market. Lastly, demonstrating these products in real-life conditions is necessary for terming it as marketable products. The truth is that the development of biopolymer or nanomaterial based polymer-matrix composites are progressing slowly. This book is written to address some of the types of polymer-matrix composites as well as the performance of these composites through 11 original and very interesting Chapters. The use of biopolymer based composites has been greatly emphasized in Chapters 1 through 5 so as to reduce the carbon footprint. Chapters 6 through 9 are devoted to the performance of widely used thermoplastics, thermosets and conducting polymers. Lastly, the applications of natural fiber reinforced composites in automotive sectors as well as erosive wear performance are discussed in Chapters 9 through 11.

There is much interest in biodegradable polymers for different uses and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have potential applications in a broad range of areas from food packaging to biomedical applications. The book will provide a comprehensive overview of the recent accomplishments in the area of polyhydroxyalkanoates providing a resource that helps find solutions to both fundamental and applied problems. The book introduces polyhydroxyalkanoates including their biosynthesis, recovery and extraction followed by specific chapters on blends, composites and nanocomposites. The book finishes with the applications of the materials including additives in paints, adhesives, production of plastics as well as tissue engineering and drug delivery. The book provides a reference for students and researchers in chemistry, polymer science, materials science, biotechnology and life sciences working in the field of bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites as well as those interested in its applications.

Initially published ""to bridge the gap between theory and practice in extrusion"", this fifth edition of Polymer Extrusion continues to serve the practicing polymer engineer and chemist, providing the theoretical and the practical tools for successful extrusion operations. In its revised and expanded form, it also incorporates the many new developments in extrusion theory and machinery over the last years.

Chemically-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties which makes them an attractive starting material for the preparation of super-strong and highly-conductive fibres and films. Much information is available across the primary literature, making it difficult to obtain an overall picture of the state-of-the-art. This volume brings together some of the leading researchers in the field from across the globe to present the potential these materials have, not only in developing and characterising novel materials but also the devices which can be fabricated from them. Topics featured in the book include Raman characterisation, industrial polymer materials, actuators and sensors and polymer reinforcement, with chapters prepared by highly-cited authors from across the globe. A valuable handbook for any academic or industrial laboratory, this book will appeal to newcomers to the field and established researchers alike.

This unified approach to polymer materials science is divided in three major sections: Basic Principles - covering historical background, basic material properties, molecular structure, and thermal properties of polymers. Influence of Processing on Properties - tying processing and design by discussing rheology of polymer melts, mixing and processing, the development of anisotropy, and solidification processes. Engineering Design Properties - covering the different properties that need to be considered when designing a polymer component - from mechanical properties to failure mechanisms, electrical properties, acoustic properties, and permeability of polymers. A new chapter introducing polymers from a historical perspective not only makes the topic less dry, but also sheds light on the role polymers played, for better and worse, in shaping today's industrial world. The first edition was praised for the vast number of graphs and data that can be used as a reference. A new table in the appendix containing material property graphs for several polymers further strengthens this attribute. The most important change made to this edition is the introduction of real-world examples and a variety of problems at the end of each chapter.

In the 20th century, the composite materials with polymer matrices, i.e. polymer matrix composites (PMC), became the engineering structural materials of choice because of low cost, ease of processing, weigh savings, corrosion resistance and other major advances. The PMC are used in automotive and aeronautical industry, bridge structures, water and waste systems and more recently in the offshore exploration and oil production. Prevailing use of PMC is stipulated by high specific characteristics, a possibility of properties modification matching the matrices and fillers, and their relative content. The book is based on the research results obtained in the time period of 1990-2010 at the Laboratory of Long-Term Deformation, in the Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Riga, Latvia. This book examines the results of experimental investigations of present-day composite materials.

This is the first volume which is devoted to the memory of World Renowned Scientist professor Rusanov Alexander L'vovich. This book presents current research in the study of the unique properties of polymers and composites. Topics discussed include new condensation monomers and polymers based on TNT-derivatives; the novel polynaphthylimides of improved solubility on the basis of derivatives from chloral and dichlordiphenyltrichlorethane; the synthesis and study of the polyphthalimides with lateral arimide groupings based on chloral and dichlordiphenyltrichlorethane derivatives; ferrocene-containing polyphenylenes as precursors for magnetic nanomaterials; non-conventional polymers composed of naturally occurring a-amino acids and copolymers as stabilising media for nanoparticles.

Polyphosphoesters are a multifunctional, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient material, making them an important subject. The design of this type of material plays a key role in the progress of industry, agriculture, and medicine. This book introduces the chemistry, characterization and application of polyphosphoesters including comprehensive coverage of poly(alkylene H-phosphonate)s, poly(alkylene phosphate)s, poly(alkyl or aryl phosphonate)s, and poly(alkyl phosphite)s and poly(alkyl phosphinite)s. Each polymer is discussed in detail including methods, properties, and applications. This book is useful for students and practitioners preparing to work, or in the process of working, in the exciting field of polymer chemistry.

The goal of the book is to assist the designer in the development of parts that are functional, reliable, manufacturable, and aesthetically pleasing. Since injection molding is the most widely used manufacturing process for the production of plastic parts, a full understanding of the integrated design process presented is essential to achieving economic and functional design goals. Features over 425 drawings and photographs.

This self-contained text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students is devoted to classical quasistatic problems of rate-independent plasticity theory. It discusses the finite element method for both viscoplastic and rate-independent plastic solids, in addition to large deformation plasticity numerical methods for rate-based formulations and hyperelastic methods. 1990 edition.

The text focuses on the basic issues and also the literature of the past decade. The book provides a broad overview of functional synthetic polymers. Special issues in the text are: Surface functionalization supramolecular polymers, shape memory polymers, foldable polymers, functionalized biopolymers, supercapacitors, photovoltaic issues, lithography, cleaning methods, such as recovery of gold ions olefin/paraffin, separation by polymeric membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and other related topics.

In the tradition of Mark Kurlanskyas "Cod" and "Salt," this endlessly revealing book reminds us that the fiber we think of as ordinary is the worldas most powerful cash crop, and that it has shaped the destiny of nations. Ranging from its domestication 5,500 years ago to its influence in creating Calvin Kleinas empire and the Gap, Stephen Yafaas "Cotton" gives us an intimate look at the plant that fooled Columbus into thinking head reached India, that helped start the Industrial Revolution as well as the American Civil War, and that made at least one bugathe boll weevilaworld famous. A sweeping chronicle of ingenuity, greed, conflict, and opportunism, "Cotton" offers aa barrage of fascinating informationa ("Los Angeles Times").

'Plastics China: Technologies, Markets and Growth Strategies to 2008' outlines the structure of the Chinese industry, assesses market and technological trends, offers market figures and forecasts to 2008 and identifies the major players.
Contents include:
* Market figures and forecasts to the year 2008
* Assessment of the Chinese plastics market including enduse plastics analysis
* Plastic technology and growth strategies in China
* Comprehensive directories of Chinese plastics suppliers, fabricators and endusers, state contracts, trade associations, trade journals and trade shows
* Includes numberous tables, diagrams, charts and graphics.

Describing all classes of polymeric foams, including their chemistry, synthesis, commercial production methods, properties, and applications, this handbook is designed to support engineers in their effort to develop practical solutions for industrial design and manufacturing challenges. Since the publication of the previous edition of this book over a decade ago, many of the industry's most pressing problems, including environmentally acceptable blowing agents, combustibility, and solid waste disposal, have been addressed and significant progress has been made. The new edition addresses these developments and also presents several new classes of foam brought to industrial application in recent years.

Following the success of the first (1995) edition, this fully updated report will provide a global overview of the use of automotive plastics and composites in passenger vehicles, with an analysis of markets and trends to the year 2007. Special attention is given to vehicle weight reduction.

For a PDF version of the report please call Tina Enright on +44 (0) 1865 843008 for price details.

Intended as a practical guide for polymer technologists, engineers and analysts in the plastics, composites and rubber fields, this title describes a range of techniques and strategies for compositional and failure analysis of polymeric materials and products. Numerous examples illustrate the application of analytical methods for solving commonly encountered problems in the polymer industry. The reader is guided towards the most appropriate method of analysis and measurement and the most likely reasons for the failure.

Areas covered include:

• Migration and interaction of additives
• Mechanical stress and stress cracking
• Crazing and fracture
• Residual stress and weld lines
• Contamination and discoloration

This is a revised and updated edition of the highly popular Polymer Surfaces first published in 1994. The authors have revised and updated the content and added recent references. Polymer Surfaces - From Physics to Technology is divided into four main sections.

• The origins and physical principles governing the properties of polymer surfaces
• Characterization techniques - spectroscopic, surface energetic and contact angle
• The modification of polymer surface properties
• Applications - wettability, adhesion, biocompatibility

This outstanding textbook on polymer physics gives a clear and concise description of modern theory. Intended as an introductory text it describes basic concepts and methods and explains the statistical properties of the assembly chain-like molecules. It is ideal as a text in short course on polymer physics for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Large numbers of chemical engineers work with polymerization reactions and the problems and the challenges particular to the production of polymers. These problems have no counterparts in small-molecule reactions, and thus usually are neglected in standard reactor courses. This book provides a clearly written, comprehensive textbook on polymerization reactor engineering, appropriate for senior-level undergraduate and 1st- and 2nd-year graduate students. It focuses on polymer structure and structure-property relationships conditions that can play a role in dictating stucture.

Discover a novel, self-contained approach to an important technical area, providing both theoretical background and practical details. Coverage includes mechanics and physical metallurgy, as well as study of both established and novel procedures such as indentation plastometry. Numerical simulation (FEM modelling) is explored thoroughly, and issues of scale are discussed in depth. Discusses procedures designed to explore plasticity under various conditions, and relates sample responses to deformation mechanisms, including microstructural effects. Features references throughout to industrial processing and component usage conditions, to a wide range of metallic alloys, and to effects of residual stresses, anisotropy and inhomogeneity within samples. A perfect tool for materials scientists, engineers and researchers involved in mechanical testing (of metals), and those involved in the development of novel materials and components.

Breakdown is fascinating to the scientist and frustrating to the engineer! As well as advancing the scientific and engineering understanding of electrical degradation and breakdown in polymers, this book forms a comprehensive and international review of the state-of-the-art. Topics include: water and electrical treeing; charge transport; 'classical' and filamentary thermal, electromechanical, electronic and partial discharge breakdown models; the stochastic nature of breakdown and statistical characterisation techniques; and engineering considerations for breakdown testing and degradation assessment. The treatment presumes little prior knowledge but develops into an advanced understanding of new concepts such as the fractal-like nature of trees. Although the book is primarily aimed at scientists and engineers practising in the field, a broad introductory section has been included to cater for a wide audience including those new to the subject area. This comprises a description of the nature of the polymers, basic solid-state physics and an introduction to degradation and breakdown.

Over the past twenty years our understanding of polymer solutions has undergone a dramatic evolution. New methods and concepts have extended the frontier of the theory from dilute solutions in which polymers move independently of each other, to concentrated solutions where many polymers entangle with each other. This book provides a comprehensive account of the modern theory for the dynamical properties of polymer solutions. This includes viscoelasticity, diffusion, dynamic light scattering and flow and electric birefringence. Nonlinear viscoelasticity is discussed in detail on the basis of molecular dynamical models. The book fills a gap between classical theory and modern developments and constructs a consistent picture for the dynamics of polymer solutions over the entire concentration range.