This book addresses plasma modification of polyolefin surfaces. It comprises 21 chapters divided into three major sections. The first section covers the different techniques used for plasma modification of polyolefin surfaces and the effects of various gases as a surrounding medium, while the second provides a detailed analysis of the physics and chemistry of plasma modification and discusses various innovative characterization techniques, as well as ageing of the modified surface. It focuses on the analysis of changes in polymers’ surface chemistry using various spectroscopic techniques, and of changes in their surface morphology after plasma treatment using optical microscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In addition, it provides detailed information on the characterization of modified polymer surfaces. The book’s third and last section covers a range of applications of plasma-modified polyolefin surfaces varying from the packaging industry to the biomedical field, and shares valuable insights on the lifecycle analysis of plasma modification and modified surfaces.

The definitive reference on the properties and applications of polyolefin blends Polyolefins account for more than half of total plastics consumption in the world. In recent years, usage of and research on polyolefin blends have increased significantly due to new applications in medicine, packaging, and other fields and the development of novel polyolefins. With a special emphasis on nano- and micro-structures of crystals and phase morphology, Polyolefin Blends condenses and consolidates current information on polyolefins so that the reader can compare, select, and integrate a material solution. Focusing exclusively on the fundamental aspects as well as applications of polyolefin blends, this authoritative reference: * Features an introductory chapter that serves as a guide to polyolefin blends * Includes chapters covering formulation design, processing, characterization, modeling and simulation, engineering performance properties, and applications * Covers polyolefin/polyolefin blends and polyolefin/non-polyolefin blends * Discusses miscibility, phase behavior, functionalization, compatibilization, microstructure, crystallization, hierarchical morphology, and physical and mechanical properties * Covers new research trends including in-situ reactor blending and reactive processing, such as compatibilization/functionalization in the melt * Contains practical examples from open literature sources and commercial products With chapters contributed by leading experts from several countries, this is a must-have reference for scientists and engineers conducting research on polyolefin blends and for professionals in medical, packaging, and other commodity fields. It is also an excellent text for graduate students studying polymer science and polymer processing.

Non-Thermal Plasma Technology for Polymeric Materials: Applications in Composites, Nanostructured Materials and Biomedical Fields provides both an introduction and practical guide to plasma synthesis, modification and processing of polymers, their composites, nancomposites, blends, IPNs and gels. It examines the current state-of-the-art and new challenges in the field, including the use of plasma treatment to enhance adhesion, characterization techniques, and the environmental aspects of the process. Particular attention is paid to the effects on the final properties of composites and the characterization of fiber/polymer surface interactions. This book helps demystify the process of plasma polymerization, providing a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of plasma technology as they relate to polymers. It is ideal for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and engineers, acting as a guide to further research into new applications of this technology in the real world. - Enables materials scientists and engineers to deploy plasma technology for surface treatment, characterization and analysis of polymeric materials - Reviews the state-of-the-art in plasma technology for polymer synthesis and processing - Presents detailed coverage of the most advanced applications for plasma polymerization, particularly in medicine and biomedical engineering, areas such as implants, biosensors and tissue engineering

An indispensable volume detailing the current and potential applications of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment by experts practicing in fields around the world Polymers are used in a wide variety of industries to fabricate legions of products because of their many desirable traits. However, polymers in general (and polyolefins, in particular) are innately not very adhesionable because of the absence of polar or reactive groups on their surfaces and concomitant low surface energy. Surface treatment of polymers, however, is essential to impart reactive chemical groups on their surfaces to enhance their adhesion characteristic. Proper surface treatment can endow polymers with improved adhesion without affecting the bulk properties. A plethora of techniques (ranging from wet to dry, simple to sophisticated, vacuum to non-vacuum) for polymer surface modification have been documented in the literature but the Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (APP) treatment has attracted much attention because it offers many advantages vis-a-vis other techniques, namely uniform treatment, continuous operation, no need for vacuum, simplicity, low cost, no environmental or disposal concern, and applicability to large area samples. Although the emphasis in this book is on the utility of APP treatment for enhancement of polymer adhesion, APP is also applicable and effective to modulate many other surface properties of polymers: superhydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, anti-fouling, anti-fogging, anti-icing, cell adhesion, biocompatibility, tribological behavior, etc. The key features of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment of Polymers: Address design and functions of various types of reactors Bring out current and potential applications of APP treatment Represent the cumulative wisdom of many key academic and industry researchers actively engaged in this key and enabling technology

More than 99% of all visible matter in the universe occurs as highly ionized gas plasma with high energy content. Electrical low- and atmospheric-pressure plasmas are characterized by continuous source of moderate quantities of energy or enthalpy transferred predominantly as kinetic energy of electrons. Therefore, such energetically unbalanced plasmas have low gas temperature but produce sufficient energy for inelastic collisions with atoms and molecules in the gas phase, thus producing reactive species and photons, which are able to initiate all types of polymerizations or activate any surface of low reactive polymers. However, the broadly distributed energies in the plasma exceed partially the binding energies in polymers, thus initiating very often unselective reactions and polymer degradation. The intention of this book is to present new plasma processes and new plasma reactions of high selectivity and high yield. This book aims to bridge classical and plasma chemistry, particularly focusing on polymer chemistry in the bulk and on the surface under plasma exposure. The stability of surface functionalization and the qualitative and quantitative measurement of functional groups at polymer surface are featured prominently, and chemical pathways for suppressing the undesirable side effects of plasma exposure are proposed and illustrated with numerous examples. Special attention is paid to the smooth transition from inanimate polymer surfaces to modified bioactive polymer surfaces. A wide range of techniques, plasma types and applications are demonstrated.

This book describes industrial applications of polyolefins from the researchers' perspective. Polyolefins constitute today arguably the most important class of polymers and polymeric materials for widespread industrial applications. This book summarizes the present state of the art. Starting from fundamental aspects, such as the polymerization techniques to synthesize polyolefins, the book introduces the topic. Basic knowledge about polyolefin composites and blends is explained, before applications aspects in different industry sectors are discussed. The spectrum comprises a wide range of applications and industry sectors, such as the packaging and food industry, the textile industry, automotive and buildings, and even biomedical applications. Topics, which are addressed in the various chapters, comprise synthesis and processing of the materials; their classification; mechanical, physical and technical requirements and properties; their characterization; and many more. In the end of the book, even the disposal, degradation and recycling of polyolefins are addressed, and light is shed on their commercial significance and economic value. In this way, the book follows the entire 'lifetime' of polyolefin compounds and materials: from their synthesis and processing, over applications, to the recycling and reuse of disposed or degraded polyolefin substrates.

PEEK biomaterials are currently used in thousands of spinal fusion patients around the world every year. Durability, biocompatibility and excellent resistance to aggressive sterilization procedures make PEEK a polymer of choice, replacing metal in orthopedic implants, from spinal implants and hip replacements to finger joints and dental implants. This Handbook brings together experts in many different facets related to PEEK clinical performance as well as in the areas of materials science, tribology, and biology to provide a complete reference for specialists in the field of plastics, biomaterials, medical device design and surgical applications. Steven Kurtz, author of the well respected UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook and Director of the Implant Research Center at Drexel University, has developed a one-stop reference covering the processing and blending of PEEK, its properties and biotribology, and the expanding range of medical implants using PEEK: spinal implants, hip and knee replacement, etc. Covering materials science, tribology and applications Provides a complete reference for specialists in the field of plastics, biomaterials, biomedical engineering and medical device design and surgical applications

POLYMER SURFACE MODIFICATION TO ENHANCE ADHESION This unique, comprehensive and groundbreaking book is the first on this important subject. Polymer Surface Modification to Enhance Adhesion comprises 13 chapters and is divided into two parts: Part 1: Energetic Treatments; and Part 2: Chemical Treatments. Topics covered include atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of polymers to enhance adhesion; corona treatment of polymer surfaces to enhance adhesion; flame surface treatment of polymers to enhance adhesion; vacuum UV photo-oxidation of polymer surfaces to enhance adhesion; optimization of adhesion of polymers using photochemical surface modification UV/Ozone surface treatment of polymers to enhance adhesion; adhesion enhancement of polymer surfaces by ion beam treatment; polymer surface modification by charged particles; laser surface modification of polymeric materials; competition in adhesion between polysort and monosort functionalized polyolefinic surfaces; amine-terminated dendritic materials for polymer surface modification; arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) modification of polymer surfaces; and adhesion promoters for polymer surfaces. Audience The book will be of great interest to polymer scientists, surface scientists, adhesionists, materials scientists, plastics engineers, and to those involved in adhesive bonding, packaging, printing, painting, metallization, biological adhesion, biomedical devices, and polymer composites.

Polyolefins are the most widely used commercial polymers and their functionalization has been a long standing scientific challenge and an industrially important area. In recent decades significant progress has been made in the area, with exciting results reported in many journals. Functionalization of Polyolefins is the first book to summarize the significant experimental results on the functionalization of polyolefins and classify them into several chemical methods (shown in each chapter of this book). The book also provides an update on the functional polyolefin materials available today. The two key subject categories covered are: - Chemical approaches in the functionalization of polyolefins - New available polyolefin materials and their potential applications The book includes: - The historic development and future prospects for polyolefins - Functionalization chemistry, classified into four general approaches - Chemical approaches with experimental results - Functionalization approaches The book provides an invaluable reference for researchers in industry and academia interested in functionalization chemistry and polymers. It has been developed through Professor Chung's own teaching experience, both at Pennsylvania State University and on short courses. It is therefore ideally suited as a core text for advanced polymer chemistry and courses on polyolefins and polymers, as well as being a useful supplementary reference for introductory courses on polyolefin chemistry and materials. T.C. Mike Chung is Professor of Polymer Science in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, Pennsylvania State University, USA. He is one of the most experienced people in the field of polyolefin functionalization, with a wide-ranging knowledge gained through many years of experience both in academia and industry. - Shows the available functionalisation approaches with a discussion of their scope and limitations - Written by one of the most experienced people in this field

Academic and industrial research around polymer-based colloids is huge. Edited by two world-renowned leaders in polymer science and engineering, this is a fundamental text for the field.