An Introduction To Polymer Science

Hans-Georg Elias An Introduction to Polymer Science Polymer science at its best! A completely new approach reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of polymer science! Modern polymer science is firmly rooted not only in the chemistry of macromolecules but also in their pyhsical chemistry and physics. Furthermore, this modern insight provides the reader with information on the three most important uses of synthetic polymers: elastomers, fibers and plastics. Biopolymers are also considered. This book fulfills the need for a volume which introduces polymer science in a straightforward, rigorous, and practical way. It is divided into four parts that cover the chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and technology of polymers. Whenever possible, physical equations are not just presented but are derived step by step from first principles enabling the newcomer to ease smoothy into the subject. The reference to industrial aspects makes this book an indispensable support for both students and professionals.

With such a wide diversity of properties and applications, is it any wonder that industry and academia have such a fascination with polymers? A solid introduction to such an enormous and important field is critical to the modern polymer scientist-to-be, but most of the available books do not stress practical problem solving or include recent advances. Serving as the polymer book for the new millennium, Introduction to Polymer Science and Chemistry: A Problem Solving Approach unites the fundamentals of polymer science and polymer chemistry in a seamless presentation. Emphasizing polymerization kinetics, the author uses a unique question-and-answer approach when developing theory or introducing new concepts. The first four chapters introduce polymer science, focusing on physical and molecular properties, solution behavior, and molecular weights. The remainder of the book explores polymer chemistry, devoting individual, self-contained chapters to the main types of polymerization reactions: condensation; free radical; ionic; coordination; and ring-opening. It introduces recent advances such as supramolecular polymerization, hyperbranching, photoemulsion polymerization, the grafting-from polymerization process, polymer brushes, living/controlled radical polymerization, and immobilized metallocene catalysts. With numerical problems accompanying the discussion at every step along with numerous end-of-chapter exercises, Introduction to Chemical Polymer Science: A Problem Solving Approach is an ideal introductory text and self-study vehicle for mastering the principles and methodologies of modern polymer science and chemistry.

An Updated Edition of the Classic Text Polymers constitute the basis for the plastics, rubber, adhesives, fiber, and coating industries. The Fourth Edition of Introduction to Physical Polymer Science acknowledges the industrial success of polymers and the advancements made in the field while continuing to deliver the comprehensive introduction to polymer science that made its predecessors classic texts. The Fourth Edition continues its coverage of amorphous and crystalline materials, glass transitions, rubber elasticity, and mechanical behavior, and offers updated discussions of polymer blends, composites, and interfaces, as well as such basics as molecular weight determination. Thus, interrelationships among molecular structure, morphology, and mechanical behavior of polymers continue to provide much of the value of the book. Newly introduced topics include: * Nanocomposites, including carbon nanotubes and exfoliated montmorillonite clays * The structure, motions, and functions of DNA and proteins, as well as the interfaces of polymeric biomaterials with living organisms * The glass transition behavior of nano-thin plastic films In addition, new sections have been included on fire retardancy, friction and wear, optical tweezers, and more. Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, Fourth Edition provides both an essential introduction to the field as well as an entry point to the latest research and developments in polymer science and engineering, making it an indispensable text for chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and polymer science and engineering students and professionals.

About ten years after the publication of the Second Edition (1973), it became apparent that it was time for an up-date of this book. This was especially true in this case, since the subject matter has traditionally dealt mainly with the structure, properties, and technology of the various elastomers used in industry, and these are bound to undergo significant changes over the period of a decade. In revising the contents of this volume, it was thought best to keep the orig inal format. Hence the first five chapters discuss the same general subject matter as before. The chapters dealing with natural rubber and the synthetic elastomers are up-dated, and an entirely new chapter has been added on the thermoplastic elastomers, which have, of course, grown tremendously in importance. Another innovation is the addition of a new chapter, "Miscellaneous Elastomers," to take care of "old" elastomers, e.g., polysulfides, which have decreased some what in importance, as well as to introduce some of the newly-developed syn thetic rubbers which have not yet reached high production levels. The editor wishes to express his sincere appreciation to all the contributors, without whose close cooperation this task would have been impossible. He would especially like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Dr. Howard Stephens in the planning of this book, and for his suggestion of suitable authors.

This successor to the popular textbook, “Polymer Physics” (Springer, 1999), is the result of a quarter-century of teaching experience as well as critical comments from specialists in the various sub-fields, resulting in better explanations and more complete coverage of key topics. With a new chapter on polymer synthesis, the perspective has been broadened significantly to encompass polymer science rather than “just” polymer physics. Polysaccharides and proteins are included in essentially all chapters, while polyelectrolytes are new to the second edition. Cheap computing power has greatly expanded the role of simulation and modeling in the past two decades, which is reflected in many of the chapters. Additional problems and carefully prepared graphics aid in understanding. Two principles are key to the textbook’s appeal: 1) Students learn that, independent of the origin of the polymer, synthetic or native, the same general laws apply, and 2) students should benefit from the book without an extensive knowledge of mathematics. Taking the reader from the basics to an advanced level of understanding, the text meets the needs of a wide range of students in chemistry, physics, materials science, biotechnology, and civil engineering, and is suitable for both masters- and doctoral-level students. Praise for the previous edition: ...an excellent book, well written, authoritative, clear and concise, and copiously illustrated with appropriate line drawings, graphs and tables. - Polymer International ...an extremely useful book. It is a pleasure to recommend it to physical chemists and materials scientists, as well as physicists interested in the properties of polymeric materials. - Polymer News This valuable book is ideal for those who wish to get a brief background in polymer science as well as for those who seek a further grounding in the subject. - Colloid Polymer Science The solutions to the exercises are given in the final chapter, making it a well thought-out teaching text. - Polymer Science

Introduction to Polymer Chemistry provides undergraduate students with a much-needed, well-rounded presentation of the principles and applications of natural, synthetic, inorganic, and organic polymers. With an emphasis on the environment and green chemistry and materials, this fourth edition continues to provide detailed coverage of natural and synthetic giant molecules, inorganic and organic polymers, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, fibers, plastics, blends, caulks, composites, and ceramics. Building on undergraduate work in foundational courses, the text fulfills the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (ACS CPT) in-depth course requirement

Industry and academia remain fascinated with the diverse properties and applications of polymers. However, most introductory books on this enormous and important field do not stress practical problem solving or include recent advances, which are critical for the modern polymer scientist-to-be. Updating the popular first edition of "the polymer book

This monograph distills material prepared by the author for class lectures, conferences and research seminars. It fills in a much-felt gap between the older and original work by Feynman and Hibbs and the more recent and advanced volume by Schulman. After presenting an elementary account on the Wiener path integral as applied to Brownian motion, the author progresses on to the statistics of polymers and polymer entanglements. The next three chapters provide an introduction to quantum statistical physics with emphasis on the conceptual understanding of many-variable systems. A chapter on the renormalization group provides material for starting on research work. The final chapter contains an over view of the role of path integrals in recent developments in physics. A good bibliography is provided for each chapter.