An earlier edition was published under the title: Encyclopedia of polymer science and engineering.

Based on Wiley's renowned Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, this book provides coverage of key methods of characterization of the physical and chemical properties of polymers, including atomic force microscopy, chromatographic methods, laser light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermal analysis, among others. Written by prominent scholars from around the world, this reference presents over twenty-five self -contained articles on the most used analytical techniques currently practiced in polymer science.

A complete and timely overview of the topic, this volume imparts knowledge of fundamental principles and their applications for academicians, scientists and researchers, while informing engineers, industrialists and entrepreneurs of the current state of the technology and its utilization. Each article is uniformly structured for easy navigation, containing the latest research & development and its basic principles and applications, examples of case studies, laboratory and pilot plant experiments, as well as due reference to the published and patented literature.

This completely new Third Edition of the Mark Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology brings the state-of-the-art to the 21st century, with coverage of nanotechnology, new imaging and analytical techniques, new methods of controlled polymer architecture, biomimetics, and more. Whereas earlier editions published one volume at a time, the third edition is being published in 3 Parts of 4 volumes each. Each of these 4-volume Parts is an A-Z selection of the latest in polymer science and technology as published in the updated online edition of the Mark Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology (available at www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/epst). Order the 12 volume set (ISBN 0471275077) now for the best value and receive each of the 4 volume Parts as they publish. The complete list of titles to appear in Part 1 of this new third print edition can be viewed at www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/epst and clicking on "What's New". Check this website often as new articles are added periodically.

In the last several years, polymer composites have been used heavily in the construction sector, such as to repair or design buildings and bridges, strengthen structures and as stand-alone components. About 30% of all polymers produced each year are used in the civil engineering and building industries. In addition to construction, polymer composites are also used in transportation (moulded parts, fuel and gas tanks), aerospace (satellites and aircraft structures), marine, biomedical (dental fixtures, prosthetic devices), electronics and in recreation industries. Such properties associated with polymer composites, in addition to its performance and applications, are continually being researched. Some topics examined in this book include the durability of the base components of FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer), specifically designed for civil engineering industry. The most common environmental agents, mostly responsible for the deterioration of the materials performance are also discussed. Furthermore, the interfacial adhesion between nanotubes and polymers and the different strategies to promote adhesion are explored to help readers understand the potential and challenges faced by scientists and engineers regarding the use of carbon nanotubes as a reinforcement phase in nanocomposites. This book also reviews the state-of-the-art of syntactic foams and shape memory polymers. The underlying principle for self-heating is also analyzed. Other chapters examine the processing of polymers into antimicrobial materials using polymer/clay nanotechnology, the various methods of synthesis for polyaniline-based nanoparticle-hybrid materials, and the steps towards understanding the complex relationships between specific factors in the production of plastic composites.

The compact, affordable reference, revised and updated The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Concise Third Edition provides the key information from the complete, twelve-volume Mark's Encyclopedia in an affordable, condensed format. Completely revised and updated, this user-friendly desk reference offers quick access to all areas of polymer science, including important advances in nanotechnology, imaging and analytical techniques, controlled polymer architecture, biomimetics, and more, all in one volume. Like the twelve-volume full edition, the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Concise Third Edition provides both SI and common units, carefully selected key references for each article, and hundreds of tables, charts, figures, and graphs.