Polymer Science and Technology for Engineers and Scientists Book

Preface.

1. What are plastics?

1.0 Introduction.

1.1 A brief history of the development of plastics.

1.2 What are plastics, polymers and macromolecules?

1.3 A simple analogy for a polymer chain.

1.4 What factors influence the physical properties of thermoplastic materials?

1.5 How are polymers made?

1.6 Effect of chemical structure on physical properties of polymers.

1.7 Copolymer design for application.

1.8 Polymer design for application.

1.9 Polymer classification.

1.10 Molar mass and molar mass distribution.

Brief summary of chapter.

References and additional reading.

2. Mechanical properties of polymeric materials.

2.0 Introduction.

2.1 Assessment of mechanical properties.

2.2 Stress-strain measurements.

2.3 Dynamic modulus.

2.4 Methods of measurement of mechanical properties.

2.5 Thermal expansion coefficient measurements.

2.6 Viscoelastic behavior.

2.7 What does the experimental data look for a real polymer system?

2.8 Other mechanical Properties of polymer systems.

2.9 Effects of water.

2.10 Environmental stress crazing.

Brief summary of chapter.

References and further reading.

3. Crystallinity and polymer morphology.

3.1 Introduction.

3.2 Crystallography and crystallization.

3.3 Single crystal growth.

3.4 Crystal lamella and other morphological features.

3.5 Melt crystallized lamellae.

3.6 Polymer spherulites.

3.7 Differential scanning calorimetry.

3.8 Polytetrafluororethylene.

3.9 Other types of morphology in semicrystalline polymer systems.

3.10 Copolymers and phase separation.

3.11 Why do we need to be able to change the modulus of polymeric materials?

3.12 Polyurethanes.

3.13 High-temperature polymers.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

4. Chemistry of polymer processing.

4.1 Introduction.

4.2 Processing thermoplastic materials.

4.3 Thermosets: elastomers.

4.4 Thermoset polymers: rigid materials.

4.5 Cure of thermoset resins and time temperature transformation diagrams.

4.6 Commercial thermoplastic polymers.

4.7 Fillers.

4.8 Plasticisers.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

5. Polymer processing: thermoplastics and thermosets.

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 Processing thermoplastics.

5.3 Rotational moulding.

5.4 Injection moulding.

5.5 Compression moulding.

5.6 Injection moulding.

5.7 Plastisol processes.

5.8 Thermoset processing.

5.9 Composite fabrication.

5.10 Cure monitoring.

5.11 Repair of composite parts.

5.12 General physical characteristics of composites.

Brief summary of chapter.

References and additional reading.

6. Composites.

6.1 Introduction.

6.2 Classification of composites.

6.3 Particle-reinforced composites.

6.4 Prediction of characteristics of filled composite materials.

6.5 Fibre-reinforced composites.

6.6 Fabrication.

6.7 Failure.

6.8 Factor influencing the performance of composites.

6.9 Uses of plastic composites.

6.10 Elastic behavior of composite materials.

6.11 Elastic behavior of composite materials.

6.12 Orthotropic composites.

6.13 Fracture mechanisms induced in composite materials.

Brief summary of chapter.

References and additional reading.

Appendix.

7. Case studies.

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Environmental stress cracking some case studies.

7.3 Energy absorption and vibration damping.

7.4 Adhesion and adhesives.

7.5 Polymers in corrosion protection.

7.6 Gas diffusion through polymer matrices.

7.7 Selection of polymeric materials for particular applications.

Brief summary of chapter.

References an additional reading.

8. Polymer chemistry and synthesis.

8.1 Introduction.

8.2 Condensation polymerization.

8.3 Vinyl polymerization.

8.4 Free radical copolymerization.

8.5 Methods of polymerization.

8.6 Specialist chemical reactions.

8.7 Heterogeneous catalysis.

8.8 Homogeneous catalysis.

8.9 Polymer degradation.

8.10 Polymers and fire.

8.11 Polymer identification.

Brief summary of chapter.

References and additional reading.

9. Polymer physics: models of polymer behavior.

9.1 Introduction.

9.2 Simple statistical models of isolated polymer molecules in solution.

9.3 Freely jointed random coil model.

9.4 Valence constrained random coil model.

9.5 Rotational isomeric states model.

9.6 Long-range interactions: excluded volume.

9.7 Comparison of the theoretical models.

9.8 Dynamic rheological behavior of polymers with molar mass above M.

9.9 Rubber elasticity.

9.10 Polymer crystal growth.

9.11 Determination of molar mass and size.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

10. Polymers for the electronics industry.

10.1 Introduction.

10.2 Lithographic materials.

10.3 Intrinsically conducting polymers.

10.4 Organic light-emitting polymers.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

11. Medical applications of polymers.

11.1 Applications in medical devices.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

12. Recycling of plastics and environmental issues.

12.1 Introduction.

12.2 Recycling plastics.

12.3 Issues of plastic identification.

12.4 Why do we need to recycle plastics?

12.5 Methods for recycling plastics.

12.6 Degradation and bioplastics.

12.7 Bioplastics.

12.8 Polyhydroxyalkonates.

12.9 Polylactides and polyglycolides.

12.10 Issues with recycling.

12.11 Feedstock recycling.

12.12 Conclusions.

Brief summary of chapter.

Additional reading.

Index.