This report reviews and compares the properties of the four categories of materials which fall within the subject area: polyarylethers and thioethers; polyimides and polybenzimidazole; fluoropolymers; and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. The report is completed by an indexed section containing more than 400 references and abstracts selected from the Rapra Polymer Library database.

High performance engineering plastics are used in a vast range of applications and environments. They are becoming increasingly important because of trends towards more reliable and higher performance machines and devices. This book gives readers a working knowledge and understanding of high performance engineering plastics. It starts with a simple, practical overview of key properties and principles. In each of the chapters there are sections on production chemistry, product forms, properties, processing and applications. There is a strong bias towards materials and concepts which are used in practice. The materials covered include high performance Polyethersulfones, Polyetherimides, Polyphthalamides, Polyphenylene Sulfide, Polyaryletherketones, Polyamideimides, Polyimides, Polybenzimidazole, Liquid Crystalline Polyesters and Perfluoropolymers. The reader will develop the ability to understand why materials are chosen for certain applications, why those materials have particular properties and how those properties can be modified. This will facilitate conversations with both materials suppliers and end users. It will help to identify the best and most cost effective solutions.

Recent developments in high performance thermoplastic resins and their composites are described in this book, and the benefits and limitations of these emerging materials are assessed for aerospace and other applications. Discussions on the performance of neat and continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic resins in terms of their properties and environmental and chemical resistance are provided.

This book describes advances in synthesis, processing, and technology of environmentally friendly polymers generated from renewable resources. With contents based on a wide range of functional monomers and contributions from eminent researchers, this volume demonstrates the design, synthesis, properties and applications of plant oil based polymers, presenting an elaborate review of acid mediated polymerization techniques for the generation of green polymers. Chemical engineers are provided with state-of-the-art information that acts to further progress research in this direction.

The book covers various thermoplastic composites, including continuous and discontinuous fiber thermoplastic composites. It describes processing methods and explains the effect of different processing parameters on the structure and performance of thermoplastic composites. Characterization and mechanics of the composite are also discussed in the book.

This book describes a number of high-performance construction materials, including concrete, steel, fiber-reinforced cement, fiber-reinforced plastics, polymeric materials, geosynthetics, masonry materials and coatings. It discusses the scientific bases for the manufacture and use of these high-performance materials. Testing and application examples are also included, in particular the application of relatively new high-performance construction materials to design practice.Most books dealing with construction materials typically address traditional materials only rather than high-performance materials and, as a consequence, do not satisfy the increasing demands of today''s society. On the other hand, books dealing with materials science are not engineering-oriented, with limited coverage of the application to engineering practice. This book is thus unique in reflecting the great advances made on high-performance construction materials in recent years.This book is appropriate for use as a textbook for courses in engineering materials, structural materials and civil engineering materials at the senior undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also suitable for use by practice engineers, including construction, materials, mechanical and civil engineers.