The topics covered in this book may be divided into radiation effects on polymers, test methods, radiation processing and other applications of ionizing radiation.

In an area as vast and important as rheology, it is essential that the experimentalist understands the underlying theories and shortcomings of the measurement technique used, that they are aware of the likely microstructure of the fluid under study and that from this they can appreciate how the fluid and the measuring system interact with each other. This major handbook, written by an international group of experts in the range of rheological techniques, presents the state of the art in rheological measurement, and concentrates on the techniques and underlying physical principles. The second edition, fully revised and updated to include new techniques is invaluable to polymer and materials scientists, engineers and technologists, and anyone else making rheological measurements on materials whether they be polymeric, biological, slurries, food or other complex fluids.

In many cases rheological measurements are carried out in the simplest of geometries, but the interpretation involved in obtaining the rheological parameters of the test fluids from these measurements is surprisingly complex. The purpose of this book is to emphasise the points on which most workers in the field agree, and to let the authors deal with the contentious points according to their own beliefs and experience. This work represents a summary of the current thought on rheological meas urement by experts in the various techniques. When making measurements and obtaining from them parameters that describe the flow behaviour of the test fluids, it is essential that the experimentalist understands the underlying theory and shortcomings of the measurement technique, that he is aware of the likely microstructure of the fluid, and that from this he can appreciate how the fluid and the measuring system will interact with each other. It is this interaction that gives both the required rheological parameters of the fluids and the artefacts that confuse the issue. This book covers the main rheological measurement techniques from capillary, slit and stretching flows to rotational and oscillatory rheometry in various geometries including sliding plate measurements. These topics are backed up by chapters on more practical aspects, such as commercial instruments, and on computer control and data acquisition. The chapters deal with the basic methods, how the measurements are taken, and what assumptions and interpretations are made to obtain valid data on the test fluids."

In an area as vast and important as rheology, it is essential that the experimentalist understands the underlying theories and shortcomings of the measurement technique used, that they are aware of the likely microstructure of the fluid under study and that from this they can appreciate how the fluid and the measuring system interact with each other. This major handbook, written by an international group of experts in the range of rheological techniques, presents the state of the art in rheological measurement, and concentrates on the techniques and underlying physical principles. The second edition, fully revised and updated to include new techniques is invaluable to polymer and materials scientists, engineers and technologists, and anyone else making rheological measurements on materials whether they be polymeric, biological, slurries, food or other complex fluids.

The reinforcement of materials such as mud and clay by hair, straw and vegetable fibres has been long established in man's history, enabling him to improve his buildings and extend his engineering abilities. With the advent of modern synthetic polymers it was rapidly realised that the addition of fibres, flakes and particulate materials to polymer matrices could improve mechanical properties significantly. Fibres and flakes are the most effective and have enabled several polymers with limited properties to compete with long-established metallic materials, reSUlting in cost, weight and processing economies. This is increasingly apparent in the selection of materials for aerospace and road vehicle applications as well as in a multitude of domestic products. Reinforced plastics, both thermosets and thermoplastics, are used in increasingly harsh environments involving elevated temperatures and aggressive conditions. Fibre reinforcement of thermoplastics dominates, and a pattern of increasing replacement of fibre reinforced thermosets by reinforced thermoplastics is emerging. This trend is encouraged by the development of continuous fibre reinforced grades of the newer high-temperature engineering thermoplastics such as polyether ether ketone. The first part of this book reviews the mechanical properties and theories of short fibre reinforcement. The principal reinforcements are reviewed and a separate chapter is devoted to the uses of natural fibres as reinforcements for thermoplastics. This is an interesting and commercially important area, especially for Third World countries v vi Preface where these fibres are grown but are facing severe competition from synthetic fibres in traditional applications such as ropes and matting.