This review discusses the preparation of highly ordered polyacetylene blends and compares forms of polyacetylene obtained by different methodsand includes an analysis of the formation of defects in polyacetylene during growth of the polyene chain and cis-trans isomerisation. The mechanism of acetylene polymerisation with rhenium catalysts, and the reactivity of highly ordered polyacetylene blends to oxidation and doping are also discussed. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.

The use of intelligent textiles in clothing is an exciting new field with wide-ranging applications. Intelligent textiles and clothing summarises some of the main types of intelligent textiles and their uses.Part one of the book reviews phase change materials (PCM), their role in such areas as thermal regulation and ways they can be integrated into outdoor and other types of clothing. The second part of the book discusses shape memory materials (SMM) and their applications in medical textiles, clothing and composite materials. Part three deals with chromic (colour change) and conductive materials and their use in such areas as sensors within clothing. The final part of the book looks at current and potential applications, including work wear and medical applications.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Intelligent textiles and clothing is an essential guide for textile manufacturers in such areas as specialist clothing (for example, protective, sports and outdoor clothing) as well as medical textiles. - Summarises the main types of intelligent textiles and their uses - Reviews phase change materials and their role in clothing - Discusses shape memory materials and their applications

This report describes the geometric structure of modular extruders, development of the various units of an extruder and their functions, the flow mechanisms and models of their behaviour and experimental studies of extruder performance and applications. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have the elastic behaviour of rubber and the processability of thermoplastics. The Freedonia Group has forecast that demand will expand by 6.4% per year to around 2.15 million tons in 2006. There is potential for these new, exciting materials to expand into the much larger thermoset rubber markets. This review includes comparisons between the two material types. There are three major types of TPE: block copolymers, rubber/plastic blends and dynamically vulcanised rubber/plastic alloys known as thermoplastic vulcanisates. The chemistry of these materials and how.

At a time when it is critical to many plastics processors to add value to products, colorants are an essential part of the additives repertoire. Plastics are often processed at very high temperatures and shear, and products are exposed to heat and light. Colorants must tolerate these conditions to function adequately. This Rapra Review Report provides practical information for plastics processors with regard to colorant selection and the range of products and effects available. The review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database, to facilitate further reading on this subject.

There are few complete technical sources of information available for plastic injection moulders to use relating to automation. This review has been compiled by researching and analysing technical references. It is intended to describe the basics of the technology and to explain how to put the technology to use. The review is supplemented by an indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Polymer Library.

SCFs are currently the subjects of intense research and commercial interest. Applications such as the RESS (rapid expansion of supercritical fluid solutions) process are part of standard industrial practice. In view of their ever-growing importance in the polymer industry there is a need to fully comprehend how supercritical fluids interrelate with polymeric materials to realise the potential that can be gained from their use. The authors review the basic principles of SCFs and their application within the polymer industry: characteristics and properties, extraction of unwanted residual products, polymerisation solvents, and polymer impregnation. Processing applications such as plasticisation, foaming and blending are also considered. There is discussion of the potential within the polymer recycling industry for use of SCFs as cleaning agents or within supercritical oxidation processes. Around 400 references with abstracts from recent global literature accompany this review, sourced from the Polymer Library, to facilitate further reading. A subject index and a company index are included.

This report begins by summarising the basis of polymer blending. This includes an outline of the techniques being used to characterise blends including spectroscopic techniques and rheometry. The types of polymer blends which have been studied are outlined. Methods of compatibilisation are discussed. The morphology of the phases in a blend is critical to property development - the types of morphology observed are described. Flow-induced morphology is described. Processing of blends and the effects on morphology are discussed including extrusion, thermoforming, blow moulding, injection moulding and foaming. The accompanying abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provide useful further information and indicate sources of additional material.

Degradation reactions grouped under the heading chemical attack include oxidation hydrolysis, halogenation and other reactions. They also include some purely physical interactions between materials and fluids, dominated by the absorption of fluid into the material or vice versa. One particular mechanism described in some detail is acid induced stress corrosion cracking, which is the most frequent cause of premature failure of GRP products, and where the principle degradation reaction is between the fluid and the glass fibres. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.