Bücher der Reihe Polymers - Properties and Applications

The present monograph is intended as an introduction into a field which certainly did not receive proper attention in the past. In fact, the standard knowledge acquired during usual university studies in chemistry, physics or engineering does not enable a quick start of research activities in the field of polymer melt rheology.

The discoveries of organometallic catalysts for olefin polymerization by Karl Ziegler and that of stereoregular olefin polymers by Giulio Natta are probably the two most important achievements in the areas of catalysis and polymer chemistry in the second half of this century.

In assembling this text our aim was to present an informative account of the chemistry and technology of cellulosic copolymers. As such, we intended that the contents be of interest to all those concerned with the production and use of cellulosic products whether in academic or industrial circles.

This book on "Polymer Fracture" might as well have been called "Kinetic Theory of Polymer Fracture". A kinetic theory deals with and particu larly considers the effect of the existence and discrete size, of the motion and of the physical properties of molecules on the macroscopic behavior of an ensemble, gaseous or other.

The increasing use of electronic spectroscopy by polymer researchers, on the other hand, shows that this type of spectroscopy provides efficient tools for gaining insight into the properties of polymers which cannot be obtained by any other means.

The development of polymers as an important class of material was inhibited at the first by the premature failure of these versatile compounds in many applications. Polymers degrade by a wide variety of mechanisms, several of which affect all polymers through to varying degree.

The first edition of this book had been written with the special aim to provide the necessary information for an understanding of the deformation and scission of chain molecules and its role in polymer fracture.

Therefore, the fundamental principles of ESR spectroscopy are first out lined, the experimental methods including computer applications are described in more detail, and the main emphasis is on the application of ESR methods to polymer problems.

Polymer composites represent a field of intense and growing interest to consumers and producers of plastics. The scope of the book does not include composites based on continuous reinforcing fibers, polymeric concretes, nor other special-purpose materials in which polymers are used to modify the properties of inorganic materials.

The increasing use of advanced composite materials in modem structures of high performance calls for a detailed knowledge of their properties. Typically, such materials either involve fiber-reinforced composites, which are stacked in layers and form laminates, or particulate composites, containing a second phase in powder form.

The concept of controlled release has attracted increasing attention over the last two decades, with the applications of this technology proliferating in diverse fields in cluding medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. The number and variety of controlled release systems, differing in their physical and chemical makeup, are increasing rapidly.

The book is mainly intended for students in technical colleges, polytechnics and universities who are studying plastics technology and macromolecular chemistry as part of their general curriculum and for technologists in industry engaged in development, sales, technical service and production functions, and applications of plastics.