Examines recent advances in understanding the structures of polymer melts, polymer solutions, block copolymers, liquid crystalline polymers, colloid suspensions, and multiphase systems subjected to flow. Reports on advances in instrumental techniques, characterization, theories, and applications. An overview chapter provides a guide and reference source to related reviews and identifies similarities in flow behavior between various materials science disciplines.

FROM THE PREFACE Almost all polymeric systems are subjected to a flow field at least once along the route between preparation and application. . . . There is also an increased interest in predictive models on phase behavior and suitable techniques for characterizing the structure of these systems when subjected to flow. Multiphase polymeric systems are particularly susceptible to flow, which may cause orientation of species, morphological changes, and phase transitions. All these events may, in turn, affect the end product properties, such as permeability, electrical conductivity, [and] mechanical properties. In processing, escalating needs have evolved for optimization and development of novel and more uniform product properties and increased productivity. In order to arrive at an understanding of processing polymeric systems under elastic flow conditions, it is convenient to analyze the basic physical mechanisms under conditions that enable development of predictive models in conjunction with controlled experimentation. . . . In recent years, the science of rheo-physics has evolved and now involves both advanced theories and experimental techniques. Rheo-physics means the rheological, morphological, and thermodynamic behavior of structured polymer systems during flow. . . . In this monograph, the rheo-optical techniques are . . . emphasized. The book gives an introduction to rheo-physics, including fundamentals of theories, and a representative selection of applications of rheo-optical techniques for analyzing multiphase systems. The chapters contain both practical advice for the new experimenter . . . as well as review material for the experienced scientist.

In polymer processing, the molecular orientation induced by flow has a significant effect on the crystallization kinetics and final morphology of the polymer produced. The impact on processing operations and object properties is extremely important and recently scientific and technological researchers have begun to quanitify these effects. The international conference 'Flow-Induced Crystallization of Polymers', held in October 2001 in Salerno, Italy, was timely and well attended. An interdisciplinary approach was taken and presentations were made on topics ranging from real-time measurement, through modelling, to final morphology and properties of polymers. Invited and other selected contributions from the conference are collected here, in this volume of Macromolecular Symposia

The purpose of aligning short fibers in a fiber-reinforced material is to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composite. Aligning the fibers, generally in a preferred direction, allows them to contribute as much as possible to reinforcing the material. The first edition of this book detailed, in a single volume, the science, processing, applications, characterization and properties of composite materials reinforced with short fibers that have been orientated in a preferred direction by flows arising during processing. The technology of fiber-reinforced composites is continually evolving and this new edition provides timely and much needed information about this important class of engineering materials. Each of the original chapters have been brought fully up-to-date and new developments such as: the advent of nano-composites and the issues relating to their alignment; the wider use of long-fiber composites and the appearance of models able to capture their orientation during flow; the wider use of flows in micro-channels in the context of composites fabrication; and the increase in computing power, which has made relevant simulations (especially coupling flow kinematics to fiber content and orientation) much easier to perform are all covered in detail. The book will be an essential up-to-date reference resource for materials scientists, students, and engineers who are working in the relevant areas of particulate composites, short fiber-reinforced composites or nanocomposites. - Presents recent progress on flow-induced alignment, modelling and design of fiber and particulate filled polymer composites - Discusses important advances such as alignment of CNTs in polymer nanocomposites and molecular alignment of polymers induced by the injection molding process in the presence of fillers such as short fibers - Presents fiber interaction/diffusion modelling and also the fiber flexure/breakage models

Offers an overview of recent advances in multiphase polymeric materials, ranging from theoretical aspects of polymer miscibility and phase separation kinetics to bulk, surface and interface properties in polymeric materials. This work considers the possibility of a nondestructive methodology to investigative multiphase polymers based mainly on a scattering technique that is sensitive to changes in the phase behaviour of multicomponent polymer systems.

In the context of polymer crystallization there are several still open and often controversially debated questions. The present volume addresses issues such as novel general views and concepts. It presents new ideas in a connected and accessible way. The intention is thus not only to provide a summary of the present state-of-the-art to all active works but to provide an entry point to newcomer and graduate students entering the field.