Over the last twenty years, the field of the chemistry of polymerization witnessed enormous growth through the development of new concepts, catalysts, processes etc. Examples are: non classical living polymerizations (group transfer polymerization, living carbocationic polymerization, living radical polymerization and living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)); new catalysts (metallocenes and late transition metal catalysts for stereospecific polymerization, Schrock and Grubbs catalyst for ROMP among others) and new processes such as miniemulsion, microemulsion polymerization and dispersion polymerization (in polar solvents). Apart from the developments in the chemistry of polymerization, methods have been developed for the evaluation of highly reliable rate constants of propagation in radical as well as cationic polymerization. All these have revolutionized the field of synthetic polymer chemistry. In the book, fundamentals of both the new and old polymerization chemistry have been dealt with. The new chemistry has been given nearly equal space along with the old.

Exploring the chemistry of synthesis, mechanisms of polymerization, reaction engineering of step-growth and chain-growth polymerization, polymer characterization, thermodynamics and structural, mechanical, thermal and transport behavior of polymers as melts, solutions and solids, Fundamentals of Polymer Engineering, Third Edition covers essential concepts and breakthroughs in reactor design and polymer production and processing. It contains modern theories and real-world examples for a clear understanding of polymer function and development. This fully updated edition addresses new materials, applications, processing techniques, and interpretations of data in the field of polymer science. It discusses the conversion of biomass and coal to plastics and fuels, the use of porous polymers and membranes for water purification, and the use of polymeric membranes in fuel cells. Recent developments are brought to light in detail, and there are new sections on the improvement of barrier properties of polymers, constitutive equations for polymer melts, additive manufacturing and polymer recycling. This textbook is aimed at senior undergraduate students and first year graduate students in polymer engineering and science courses, as well as professional engineers, scientists, and chemists. Examples and problems are included at the end of each chapter for concept reinforcement.

Now in its second edition, this widely used text provides a unique presentation of today's polymer science. It is both comprehensive and readable. The authors are leading educators in this field with extensive background in industrial and academic polymer research. The text starts with a description of the types of microstructures found in polymer

Fundamentals of Polymer Science for Engineers Filling a gap in the market, this textbook provides a concise, yet thorough introduction to polymer science for advanced engineering students and practitioners, focusing on the chemical, physical and materials science aspects that are most relevant for engineering applications. After covering polymer synthesis and properties, the major section of the book is devoted to polymeric materials, such as thermoplastics and polymer composites, polymer processing such as injection molding and extrusion, and methods for large-scale polymer characterization. The text concludes with an overview of engineering plastics. The emphasis throughout is on application-relevant topics, and the author focuses on real-life, industry-relevant polymeric materials.

Basics of Polymer Chemistry is of great interest to the chemistry audience. The basic properties of polymers, including diverse fundamental and applied aspects, are presented. This book constitutes a basis for understanding polymerization, and it presents a comprehensive overview of the scientific research of polymers. The chapters presented can be used as a reference for those interested in understanding the sustainable development in polymers. Basics of Polymer Chemistry provides a balanced coverage of the key developments in this field, and highlights recent and emerging technical achievements. The topics covered present a comprehensive overview of the subject area and are therefore of interest to professors and students. The recent developments in polymerization using catalysts, homo and copolymerization are presented, and it contains current efforts in designing new polymer architectures. Improved property performance attributes of the polymers by controlling their molecular-structural characteristics such as molecular weight distribution, comonomer type content distribution, and branching level are also discussed.

The book discusses the raw materials for polymers, polymer forming processes and the various techniques of polymerization. It explains the modification of polymers and all types of additives used with polymers in their end applications. The book also describes the analytical, instrumental and spectroscopic techniques for testing and characterizing polymers, as well as covers the structures and properties of polymers along with their processing and applications. Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers with a main focus on their manufacturing processes, structures and properties are also discussed. A comparative study of conventional linear polymers and advanced highly branched macromolecules has been included. Finally, a discussion on the basic idea and manufacturing process of some polymer-based industrial products adds value to this text.

Controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP) has revolutionized and revitalized the field of synthetic polymer chemistry over the last twenty years as it is now possible to prepare a wide variety of previously inaccessible macromolecules under relatively mild conditions. Fundamentals of Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization provides an in-depth coverage of the essential chemical principles that enable and govern each of the CRP methods. The book starts with a brief historical overview of the major findings in polymer science which eventually led to the development of living ionic and living radical systems. It then goes on to introduce the main CRP techniques including their mechanistic understanding. The book also provides the information needed to select the appropriate reagents and conditions to conduct various CRP methods in a practical setting. Therefore, in addition to a newcomer gaining an appreciation for what has already been accomplished, the reader will be armed with the tools needed to begin independent research. Fundamentals of Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization provides essential insight into a rapidly growing field that goes beyond a simple literature review of the area. Written by leading experts in the field, the book is an indispensible resource for all researchers, instructors, and students in polymer chemistry.

Loaded with practical knowledge, Reactive Polymers Fundamentals and Applications: A Concise Guide to Industrial Polymers comprehensively presents the state-of-art of methods and materials for the formulation of polymeric resins. It is an indispensable tool for chemists, engineers, and manufacturers who use, formulate, and cure raw materials into final products. The text focuses on the chemical modification of properties during the final stage of part fabrication from plastics. Newer applications range from the small scale, such as dental fillings, to industrial processes for batch fabrication. The book covers resin groups in major use in industry and under active research and development.

Offers new strategies to optimize polymer reactions With contributions from leading macromolecular scientists and engineers, this book provides a practical guide to polymerization monitoring. It enables laboratory researchers to optimize polymer reactions by providing them with a better understanding of the underlying reaction kinetics and mechanisms. Moreover, it opens the door to improved industrial-scale reactions, including enhanced product quality and reduced harmful emissions. Monitoring Polymerization Reactions begins with a review of the basic elements of polymer reactions and their kinetics, including an overview of stimuli-responsive polymers. Next, it explains why certain polymer and reaction characteristics need to be monitored. The book then explores a variety of practical topics, including: Principles and applications of important polymer characterization tools, such as light scattering, gel permeation chromatography, calorimetry, rheology, and spectroscopy Automatic continuous online monitoring of polymerization (ACOMP) reactions, a flexible platform that enables characterization tools to be employed simultaneously during reactions in order to obtain a complete record of multiple reaction features Modeling of polymerization reactions and numerical approaches Applications that optimize the manufacture of industrially important polymers Throughout the book, the authors provide step-by-step strategies for implementation. In addition, ample use of case studies helps readers understand the benefits of various monitoring strategies and approaches, enabling them to choose the best one to match their needs. As new stimuli-responsive and "intelligent" polymers continue to be developed, the ability to monitor reactions will become increasingly important. With this book as their guide, polymer scientists and engineers can take full advantage of the latest monitoring strategies to optimize reactions in both the lab and the manufacturing plant.

The first English edition of this book was pubUshed in 1971 with the late Prof. Dr. Werner Kern as coauthor. In 1997, for the preparation of the third edition, Prof. Dr. Helmut Ritter joined the team of authors and in 2001 Prof. Dr. Brigitte Voit and Prof. Dr. Matthias Rehahn complemented this team. The change in authors has not altered the basic concept of this 4th edition: again we were not aimed at compiling a comprehensive collection of recipes. In stead, we attempted to reach a broader description of the general methods and techniques for the synthesis, modification, and characterization of macromo- cules, supplemented by 105 selected and detailed experiments and by sufficient theoretical treatment so that no additional textbook be needed in order to under stand the experiments. In addition to the preparative aspects we have also tried to give the reader an impression of the relation of chemical structure and mor phology of polymers to their properties, as well as of areas of their application.