Properties And Processing Of Polymers For Engineers

This unified approach to polymer materials science is divided in three major sections:

This text introduces the design engineer to the basic elements and properties of polymers. These characteristics are related to solid and fluid behavior, processing, and performance of polymers.

This unified approach to polymer materials science is divided in three major sections: - Basic Principles - covering historical background, basic material properties, molecular structure, and thermal properties of polymers. - Influence of Processing on Properties - tying processing and design by discussing rheology of polymer melts, mixing and processing, the development of anisotropy, and solidification processes. - Engineering Design Properties - covering the different properties that need to be considered when designing a polymer component - from mechanical properties to failure mechanisms, electrical properties, acoustic properties, and permeability of polymers. A new chapter introducing polymers from a historical perspective not only makes the topic less dry, but also sheds light on the role polymers played, for better and worse, in shaping today's industrial world. The first edition was praised for the vast number of graphs and data that can be used as a reference. A new table in the appendix containing material property graphs for several polymers further strengthens this attribute. The most important change made to this edition is the introduction of real-world examples and a variety of problems at the end of each chapter.

Polymers are ubiquitous and pervasive in industry, science, and technology. These giant molecules have great significance not only in terms of products such as plastics, films, elastomers, fibers, adhesives, and coatings but also less ob viously though none the less importantly in many leading industries (aerospace, electronics, automotive, biomedical, etc.). Well over half the chemists and chem ical engineers who graduate in the United States will at some time work in the polymer industries. If the professionals working with polymers in the other in dustries are taken into account, the overall number swells to a much greater total. It is obvious that knowledge and understanding of polymers is essential for any engineer or scientist whose professional activities involve them with these macromolecules. Not too long ago, formal education relating to polymers was very limited, indeed, almost nonexistent. Speaking from a personal viewpoint, I can recall my first job after completing my Ph.D. The job with E.I. Du Pont de Nemours dealt with polymers, an area in which I had no university training. There were no courses in polymers offered at my alma mater. My experience, incidentally, was the rule and not the exception.

This unified approach to polymer materials science is divided in three major sections: - Basic Principles - covering historical background, basic material properties, molecular structure, and thermal properties of polymers. - Influence of Processing on Properties - tying processing and design by discussing rheology of polymer melts, mixing and processing, the development of anisotropy, and solidification processes. - Engineering Design Properties - covering the different properties that need to be considered when designing a polymer component - from mechanical properties to failure mechanisms, electrical properties, acoustic properties, and permeability of polymers. A new chapter introducing polymers from a historical perspective not only makes the topic less dry, but also sheds light on the role polymers played, for better and worse, in shaping today's industrial world. The first edition was praised for the vast number of graphs and data that can be used as a reference. A new table in the appendix containing material property graphs for several polymers further strengthens this attribute. The most important change made to this edition is the introduction of real-world examples and a variety of problems at the end of each chapter.

W ALL ARE SURROUNDED by plastic materials and cannot imagine modem life and utilities without the synthetic polymers. And yet, how many of us can distinguish between polyethylene and PVC? After all, most people name any polymer as ''Nylon. /I Is there any distinction between polymers and plastics? This introductory textbook tries to answer these questions and many others. It endeavors to provide the basic information required in modem life about the best utilization of new materials in the plastics era; the chemical sources of synthetic polymers, and the processes in which small"simple" molecules are converted to giant macromolecules, namely, high polymers; and the understanding of the role of these unique structures, their behavior and performance, their mechanical and thermal properties, flow and deforma tion. As we are mainly interested in the final product, the processing of plastics, through shaping and forming, presents a significant challenge to polymer engineering. All this is broadly discussed, ending with modem issues like composites, ecology and future prediction, followed by up-to-date informa tion and data about old as well as novel high performance polymers. The text is particularly targeted towards senior students of science and engineering (chemical, material, mechanical and others) who may use it as the first window to the world of polymers. At the same time many profession als who are involved in the resin or plastics industry may prefer this approach without elaborate math or overloading.