Polyurethane sealants are used in many high-volume applications such as construction and automotive. This volume provides an in-depth, illustrated survey of both the technology and applications. The detailed information will be useful to all those involved in the research, development, processing, evaluation and use of sealants for high-volume applications.

Independent, practical guidance on the structural design of polymer composites is provided for the first time in this book. Structural designers familiar with design of conventional structural materials such as steel and concrete will be able to use it to design a broad range of polymeric composites for structural applications, using glass fibre reinforced plastic materials, components, connections and assemblies.

This is a complete illustrated guide and reference to today's plastic films for packaging. All significant aspects of plastic films for packaging are clearly and concisely presented: from materials, processes and machinery to applications and regulatory, social and economic considerations. More than 70 schematics illustrate materials, processes and package constructions. More than 30 tables provide important reference data in convenient form. The authors are leading authorities on plastic packaging films with first-hand experience in the R&D of many of today's widely used films. Published in cooperation with the Institute of Packaging Professionals.

This is a new, basic introduction to polymer science. It is both comprehensive and readable. The authors are leading educators in this field with extensive backgrounds in industrial and academic polymer research. The text starts with a description of the types of microstructures found in polymer materials. This provides an understanding of some of the key features of the various mechanisms of homopolymerization and copolymerization which are discussed in following chapters. Also discussed in these chapters are the kinetics and statistics of polymerization, with a separate chapter on the characterization of chain structure by spectroscopic methods. The next part of the text deals with chain conformation, structure and morphology, leading to a discussion of crystallization, melting and glass transition. The discussion then moves from solid state to solution properties where solution thermodynamics is introduced. This provides the basis for discussion of the measurement of molecular weight by various solution methods. The final chapter deals with mechanical and rheological properties which are discussed from a phenomenological continuum approach and then in terms of a fundamental molecular perspective. Altogether, this new text provides a comprehensive, readable introduction to and overview of polymer science. It is well illustrated with schematics prepared for this text to help in the understanding of key concepts. It will provide a basic understanding of today's polymer science for technical and engineering personnel not already familiar with the subject, and a convenient update and overview for materials scientists.

The basic problem of polymer physics is obtaining aEURO~structure-propertiesaEURO (TM) correlations for their future application for practical purposes. However, these cannot be obtained without the development of a quantitative model of the polymer structure. This problem has been actively investigated during the last 45 years, which resulted in obtaining a great amount of experimental (mostly indirect) proofs of existence of the local order in the polymer amorphous state. Now, the time has come for creating a structural model of polymer basing based on the local order ideas. The cluster model, as presented in this monograph, of the polymer amorphous state structure represents the realization of such attempts. The development of this cluster model is based on well-known experimental observation: the behavior of glassy polymers in the area of stimulated high-elasticity plateau is described in the framework of rubber elasticity concepts. This gives an opportunity to present the local order (cluster) zone as a multifunctional entanglement of the physical network consisting of several collinear closely packed segments of different macromolecules (the amorphous analogue of crystallite with extended chains) and surrounded by a packless matrix. An independent method for assessing local order zone fraction in the structure has been elaborated. Segment length in the cluster equals the length of the chain statistical segment that gives a correlation between molecular and structural parameters of the polymer. Application of the cluster model allowed description and obtaining of analytical aEURO~structure-propertiesaEURO (TM) correlations for many processes proceeding in polymers: elasticity, yielding, degradation, transport, some thermodynamic processes, structural relaxation, plasticization, structural stabilization at thermo-oxidative degradation, etc. The relation between the cluster model and some modern physical concepts, for instance fractal analysis, fluctuation free volume kinetic

The basic principles and mechanism of shape memory polymers, classification of shape memory polymers, and related characterization techniques are illustrated. Furthermore, an overview of the broad spectrum of applications in various fields for shape memory polymer is presented. Special focus will be given to hyperbranched, blended, interpenetrating and bio-based shape memory polymers, as well as shape memory polymer nanocomposites.

Science and Applications of Conducting Polymers emphasizes potential industrial applications of conducting polymers. The papers presented discuss the basic physics and chemistry of conducting polymers, followed by an in-depth examination of applications. The book is ideal for researchers in polymer physics, electronics, optics, and semiconductor physics.

Written and edited by experts on specialty elastomers applications in the mechanical and automotive products industries, the Handbook of Specialty Elastomers provides a single source reference for the design of compounds using specialty elastomers. This book defines specialty elastomers as heat-, oil-, fuel-, and solvent-resistant polymers. Each chapter examines individual elastomers in terms of development history, chemical composition, structure, and properties as well as processing methods, applications, and commercially available products. Covering their applications in the rubber, energy, chemicals, and oil industries, the book also discusses the use of antioxidants, antiozonants, vulcanization agents, plasticizers, and process aids for specialty elastomers. The concluding chapter details considerations and relevant processes-such as molding operations-involved in designing application-specific rubber components. The Handbook of Specialty Elastomers provides comprehensive insight into the processes and challenges of designing rubber formulations and specialty elastomeric components.

"Provides in-depth coverage of the entire thermoforming molding process from market domain and materials options to manufacturing methods and peripheral support. Second Edition furnishes entirely new information on twin sheet forming, corrugated tubing and pipe manufacturin gtechniques, plastics recycling, forthcoming equipment, and energy and labor costs."

Hydrophilic polyurethanes have the unique property of being able to absorb or otherwise manage moisture-and this makes them valuable in medical and a number of other important commercial applications. This new book provides a concise, unified presentation of hydrophilic polyurethanes technology and applications. All important topics from chemistry, analysis, processing and quality systems to product development and applications are covered clearly and systematically. The text is well illustrated by more than 45 flowcharts and diagrams and supplemented by more than 20 data tables. A special feature of this new book is its inclusion of case studies of recent development of commercially valuable products using hydrophilic polyurethanes. These case studies illustrate how these unique materials can be tailored to specific application needs. The information in this new book will be useful to all those involved in the research, development and applications of polymers, biomaterials, and other materials whose utility requires the special properties of hydrophilic polyurethanes. To receive your copy promptly, please order now. Information on ordering - by mail, fax, telephone or the publisher's secure website - follows the complete table of contents on the reverse. The Author Tim Thomson is the director of Main Street Technologies, an independent research organization specializing in the development of advanced medical materials and devices. Previously he was technical manager of the Hypol Group, W. R. Grace & Co. He is recognized as an authority on hydrophilic polyurethanes and their use in medical device and other applications. He has an M.S. in Physical Chemistry from Michigan Technological University and has been awarded six patents in synthetic chemistry and process control.

Polymer translocation occurs in many biological and biotechnological phenomena where electrically charged polymer molecules move through narrow spaces in crowded environments. Unraveling the rich phenomenology of polymer translocation requires a grasp of modern concepts of polymer physics and polyelectrolyte behavior. Polymer Translocation discusses universal features of polymer translocations and summarizes the key concepts of polyelectrolyte structures, electrolyte solutions, ionic flow, mobility of charged macromolecules, polymer capture by pores, and threading of macromolecules through pores. With approximately 150 illustrations and 850 equations, the book: Avoids heavy mathematics Uses examples to illustrate the richness of the phenomenon Introduces the entropic barrier idea behind polymer translocation Outlines conceptual components necessary for a molecular understanding of polymer translocation Provides mathematical formulas for the various quantities pertinent to polymer translocation The challenge in understanding the complex behavior of translocation of polyelectrolyte molecules arises from three long-range forces due to chain connectivity, electrostatic interactions, and hydrodynamic interactions. Polymer Translocation provides an overview of fundamentals, established experimental facts, and important concepts necessary to understand polymer translocation. Readers will gain detailed strategies for applying these concepts and formulas to the design of new experiments.

With the advent of polymer nanocomposites, research on polyolefin nanocomposites has grown exponentially. Correcting the deficiency of a meaningful text on these important materials, Advances in Polyolefin Nanocomposites: Sums up recent advances in nanoscale dispersion of filler in polyolefins Presents a basic introduction to polyolefin nanocomposite technology for the readers new to this field Provides insights on the use of technologies for polyolefins nanocomposites for commercial application Includes contributions from the most experienced researchers in the field Offers insights into the commercial usage of techniques The text uses theoretical models to illustrate the organic-inorganic interfaces in polyolefins and also provides a detailed description of the recently developed models for property prediction of these nanocomposites. It concentrates on developments with not only aluminosilicate fillers, but also with equally important fillers like layer double hydroxides and nanotubes. The authors review polyolefin nanocomposite technology and methodologies of generation, properties and generation of composite blends, and advances in synthesis of nanocomposites using solution blending methods. The book covers theoretical and experimental considerations of clay surface modification and the importance and effect of various prominent filler categories.

During the past 10 years a large variety of new multiphase polymer-based materials have been studied from a morphological point of view. Simultaneously, huge progress has been achieved in microscopy. These circumstances underline the need for a reference that delineates the differences of various types of nanostructures in multiphase polymer-based materials. Multiphase Polymer-Based Materials: An Atlas of Phase Morphology at the Nano and Micro Scale presents up-to-date coverage of developments in this field in a practical and easy to use format. Illustrates Microscopic Tools for Phase Morphology Investigation The author sifted through an encyclopedic amount of information to provide a selection of more than 550 microscopy pictures resulting from the observation of multiphase polymer-based materials. These illustrations include micro and nanopolymer blends, micro and nanocomposites, micro and nano phases in copolymers, thermosets, and thermoplastic blends that were intensively developed over the past decade. Each picture includes a detailed explanation of how to attain these materials, how the samples were prepared, and how the observations were conducted. A Practical Straightforward Approach to Microscopic Observation The book examines the various microscopic tools employed for the investigation of the phase morphology, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. It provides a practical, straightforward approach for dealing with the microscopic observation of phase morphology in multicomponent polymer blends and nanocomposites.

Derived from the fourth edition of the well-known Plastics Technology Handbook, Industrial Polymers, Specialty Polymers, and Their Applications covers a wide range of general and special types of polymers, along with a wealth of information about their applications. The book first focuses on commonly used industrial polymers, including polypropylenes, low- and high-density polyethylenes, and poly(vinyl chloride), as well as less widely used polymer types, such as acrylics, ether polymers, cellulosics, sulfide polymers, silicones, polysulfones, polyether ether ketones, and polybenzimidazoles. It then explores polymer derivatives and polymeric combinations that play special and often critical roles in diverse fields of human activities. The polymers covered include liquid crystal, electroactive, ionic, and shape memory polymers; hydrogels; and nanocomposites. The volume concludes with a comprehensive overview of new developments in the use of polymers in a variety of areas.

FROM THE PREFACE The surface modification of polymeric materials has been the object of a large number of investigations, but little attention has been paid to making a polymer surface frictionless or slippery, and lubricating surfaces are practically unmentioned in any books so far published, probably because of the relatively minor importance of polymer friction in industrial applications. A lubricating polymer surface is important, especially in marine and biomedical technologies. For instance, biomaterials to be used for catheterization on the urinary, tracheal, and cardiovascular tracts, or for endoscopy, should have a surface with good handling characteristics when dry and which preferably becomes slippery upon contact with body liquids. Such a low-friction surface must enable easy insertion and removal of the device from a patient. It would further prevent mechanical injury to the mucous membranes and minimize discomfort to the patient. Earlier approaches to providing a low-friction surface were mostly simple applications involving lubricants such as lidocaine jelly, silicone oil, or non-permanent coating with low-friction materials such as polyethylene or fluoroplastics. However, these substances cannot maintain a high degree of slipperiness for the required duration of time, due to the fact that they leach or disperse into the surrounding body fluids. The aim of this book is to describe the principle of lubrication, to outline a variety of methods for attaining a lubricous surface, and to describe the characteristics and properties of such lubricous surfaces. The technology for surface modification of polymers by grafting will find other applications than for lubrication, such as for improvement of the interfacial adhesion in polymer composites.

Details laboratory and industrial synthesis and applications of oligomers-suggesting practical solutions to the on-the-job problems as well as exploring processing devices and techniques for industrial-scale production of new oligomer types.

An analysis of polymer and composite rheology. This second edition covers flow properties of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, and general principles and applications of all phases of polymer rheology, with new chapters on the rheology of particulate and fibre composites. It also includes new and expanded detail on polymer blends and emulsions, foams, reacting systems, and flow through porous media as well as composite processing operations.

Basic concepts on biodegradable biopolymer science are presented in this book, as well as techniques, analyses, standards, and essential criteria for the characterization of biodegradable materials obtained from biopolymers. The development and innovation of products and processes considering the environment are highlighted in this book. All of the applications described have been discussed from the point of view of sustainability. Additionally, this book highlights that biodegradability is a great burden when trying to replace, modify, and/or design existing products, and processes that are highly polluting. Finally, the present book concludes with reflections on the development of biopolymers in different areas, and some of their consequences depending on their biodegradability.

Provides the basic background needed by engineers to determine experimentally and interpret the rheological behavior of polymer melts--including not only traditional pure melts but also solutions and compounds containing anisotropic (fiber or disc) or colloidal particles--and apply it to analyze flow in processing operations. Experimental foundations of modern rheology and rheo-optics and the interpretation of experimental data are covered, which also develops the fundamentals of continuum mechanics and shows how it may be applied to devise methods for measurement of rheological properties, formulation of three-dimensional stress-deformation relationships, and analysis of flow in processing operations. Also discusses the structure of polymers and considers rheological behavior in terms of structure. Constitutive equations relating stress to deformation history in non-Newtonian fluids and their applications are discussed. Each chapter presents an overview of the subject matter and then develops the material in a pedagogical manner.

This work examines the science and technology used in the manufacture of acrylic fibre for both mass-produced commodity products and premium products. It elucidates the chemistry and fibre production techniques of speciality acrylics such as flame-retardant, water-reversible bicomponent, producer dyed and others. Capacity figures for developing countries are published here.;This work is intended for: polymer, fibre and textile scientists, chemists and engineers; physical and dye chemists; textile company managers; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Representing the collective effort of over 30 leading scientists in Russia and the United States, this is the first book written solely on the subject of nuclear batteries. It presents a rich historical discussion and original research on the conversion of nuclear materials into electrical power, which can then be harvested to make long-lasting, more energy efficient batteries. With this technology, power-matched supplies would last decades - even centuries - using safe, direct, long-life, stable, integrated electric power from the highest energy density source available. Polymers, Phosphors, and Voltaics for Radioisotope Microbatteries presents the state-of-the-art in interdisciplinary research in radiochemistry, tritium storage, semiconductor fabrication and characterization, nuclear battery fabrication and testing, integration into MEMS and other electronic devices, and much more. A key feature of this book is its discussion of construction materials for miniaturized radioisotope power supplies, since progress in nuclear battery technology depends on characterization of functionally radiation-stable components. Though substantial progress has been made to solve problems of using integrated radioisotope batteries for micro- and nanoelectronics, each author has provided an authoritative assessment and has indicated where development is needed. Research in this area has the potential to revolutionize the microelectronics industry by enabling MEMS and nanotechnology. Significant technological progress depends today on coordinated interdisciplinary research. Polymers, Phosphors, and Voltaics for Radioisotope Microbatteries contains diverse discussions of the problems of using radioactive material for microelectronic power needs and guides readers to future research in the area of long-life, high energy-density batteries.

Adaptive polymers include those which are responsive to different stimuli - namely physical, mechanical, chemical and biological - with controlled and/or predicable behavior. Many technological breakthroughs and scientific advances have been made in the last few decades and this volume aims to cover the most up-to-date studies and achievements in some adaptive polymers, in terms of principles of adaptiveness, properties, structure design and characterization with an emphasis on their applications, particularly in textiles, skin care, medicine and other related areas. Some versatile functional polymers, such as Chitosan, cylodextrin and dendrimer,and hyper-branched polymers are also introduced in order to provide a source for people in different professions when searching for knowledge and inspiration in the field of adaptive and functional polymers. One of the key features of this book is the fact that it is multi-disciplinary in nature, and so accessible to a wide variety of readers.

This book provides a simplified and practical approach to designing with plastics that funda mentally relates to the load, temperature, time, and environment subjected to a product. It will provide the basic behaviors in what to consider when designing plastic products to meet performance and cost requirements. Important aspects are presented such as understanding the advantages of different shapes and how they influence designs. Information is concise, comprehensive, and practical. Review includes designing with plastics based on material and process behaviors. As de signing with any materials (plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, etc.) it is important to know their behaviors in order to maximize product performance-to-cost efficiency. Examples of many different designed products are reviewed. They range from toys to medical devices to cars to boats to underwater devices to containers to springs to pipes to buildings to aircraft to space craft. The reader's product to be designed can directly or indirectly be related to product design reviews in the book. Important are behaviors associated and interrelated with plastic materials (thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, reinforced plastics, etc.) and fabricating processes (extrusion, injec tion molding, blow molding, forming, foaming, rotational molding, etc.). They are presented so that the technical or non-technical reader can readily understand the interrelationships."

Biopolymers have the potential to cut carbon emissions and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide released when they degrade can be reabsorbed by plants, which makes them close to carbon neutral. Biopolymers are biodegradable and some are compostable, too. This book presents key topics on biopolymers, including their synthesis, characterization, and physiochemical properties, and discusses their applications in key areas such as biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental engineering. It will serve as an in-depth reference for the biopolymer industry-material suppliers and processors, producers, and fabricators-and engineers and scientists who are designing biopolymers or evaluating options for switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers.

- One of very few books available to cover this subject area.
- A practical book with a wealth of detail.

This book covers the major manufacturing processes for polymer matrix composites with an emphasis on continuous fibre-reinforced composites. It covers the major fabrication processes in detail.

Very few books cover the details of fabrication and assembly processes for composites. This book is intended for the engineer who wants to learn more about composite processing: any one with some experience in composites should be able to read it. The author, who has 34 years experience in the aerospace industry, has intentionally left out mathematical models for processes so the book will be readable by the general engineer.

It differs from other books on composites manufacturing in focussing almost solely on manufacturing processes, while not attempting to cover materials, test methods, mechanical properties and other areas of composites.