This book covers in great detail the Rouse-segment-based molecular theories in polymer viscoelasticity ? the Rouse theory and the extended reptation theory (based on the framework of the Doi?Edwards theory) ? that have been shown to explain experimental results in a consistently quantitative way. The explanation for the 3.4 power law of viscosity, quantitative line-shape analyses of viscoelastic responses and agreements between different sorts of viscoelastic responses, the consistency between the viscoelasticity and diffusion results, the clarification of the onset of entangelement, the discovery of the number of entanglement strands per cubed entanglement distance being a universal constant and the basic mechanism of the glass transition-related thermorheological complexity are discussed or shown in great detail. The mystery behind the success of the Rouse-segment-based molecular theories over the entropic region of a viscoelastic response is revealed by the Monte Carlo simulations on the Fraenkel chains. Specifically, the simulation studies give a natural explanation for the coexistence of the energy-driven and entropy-driven modes in a viscoelastic response and provide a theoretical basis resolving the paradox that the experimentally determined sizes of Rouse and Kuhn segments are nearly the same. This book starts from a very fundamental level; each chapter is built upon the contents of the previous chapters. Thus, the readers may use the book as a textbook and eventually reach an advanced research level. This book is also a useful source of reference for physicists, chemists and material scientists.

In this book, the studies of the Rouse, Doi?Edwards, and extended reptation theories are developed in a consistent manner from a basic level and discussed in detail. Viscoelastic properties of nearly monodisperse linear flexible polymers in both the entanglement and entanglement-free regions are analyzed quantitatively in terms of the molecular theories.

This book covers in great detail the Rouse-segment-based molecular theories in polymer viscoelasticity — the Rouse theory and the extended reptation theory (based on the framework of the Doi-Edwards theory) — that have been shown to explain experimental results in a consistently quantitative way. The explanation for the 3.4 power law of viscosity, quantitative line-shape analyses of viscoelastic responses and agreements between different sorts of viscoelastic responses, the consistency between the viscoelasticity and diffusion results, the clarification of the onset of entangelement, the discovery of the number of entanglement strands per cubed entanglement distance being a universal constant and the basic mechanism of the glass transition-related thermorheological complexity are discussed or shown in great detail. The mystery behind the success of the Rouse-segment-based molecular theories over the entropic region of a viscoelastic response is revealed by the Monte Carlo simulations on the Fraenkel chains. Specifically, the simulation studies give a natural explanation for the coexistence of the energy-driven and entropy-driven modes in a viscoelastic response and provide a theoretical basis resolving the paradox that the experimentally determined sizes of Rouse and Kuhn segments are nearly the same. This book starts from a very fundamental level; each chapter is built upon the contents of the previous chapters. Thus, the readers may use the book as a textbook and eventually reach an advanced research level. This book is also a useful source of reference for physicists, chemists and material scientists.

This book provides a unified mechanics and materials perspective on polymers: both the mathematics of viscoelasticity theory as well as the physical mechanisms behind polymer deformation processes. Introductory material on fundamental mechanics is included to provide a continuous baseline for readers from all disciplines. Introductory material on the chemical and molecular basis of polymers is also included, which is essential to the understanding of the thermomechanical response. This self-contained text covers the viscoelastic characterization of polymers including constitutive modeling, experimental methods, thermal response, and stress and failure analysis. Example problems are provided within the text as well as at the end of each chapter. New to this edition: · One new chapter on the use of nano-material inclusions for structural polymer applications and applications such as fiber-reinforced polymers and adhesively bonded structures · Brings up-to-date polymer production and sales data and equipment and procedures for evaluating polymer characterization and classification · The work serves as a comprehensive reference for advanced seniors seeking graduate level courses, first and second year graduate students, and practicing engineers

A revised molecular approach to a classic on viscoelasticbehavior Because viscoelasticity affects the properties, appearance,processing, and performance of polymers such as rubber, plastic,and adhesives, a proper utilization of such polymers requires aclear understanding of viscoelastic behavior. Now in its third edition, Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticityremains a classic in the literature of molecular viscoelasticity,bridging the gap between primers on polymer science and advancedresearch-level monographs. Assuming a molecular, rather than amechanical approach, the text provides a strong grounding in thefundamental concepts, detailed derivations, and particularattention to assumptions, simplifications, and limitations. This Third Edition has been entirely revised and updated to reflectrecent developments in the field. New chapters include: * Phenomenological Treatment of Viscoelasticity * Viscoelastic Models * Time-Temperature Correspondence * Transitions and Relaxation in Polymers * Elasticity of Rubbery Networks * Dielectric and NMR Methods With detailed explanations, corresponding equations, andexperimental methods, supported by real-life applications (as wellas the inclusion of a CD-ROM with data to support the exercises),this Third Edition provides today's students and professionals withthe tools they need to create polymers with more desirablequalities than ever.

Thoroughly updated, Introduction to Polymers, Third Edition presents the science underpinning the synthesis, characterization and properties of polymers. The material has been completely reorganized and expanded to include important new topics and provide a coherent platform for teaching and learning the fundamental aspects of contemporary polymer science. New to the Third Edition Part I This first part covers newer developments in polymer synthesis, including ‘living’ radical polymerization, catalytic chain transfer and free-radical ring-opening polymerization, along with strategies for the synthesis of conducting polymers, dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers and block copolymers. Polymerization mechanisms have been made more explicit by showing electron movements. Part II In this part, the authors have added new topics on diffusion, solution behaviour of polyelectrolytes and field-flow fractionation methods. They also greatly expand coverage of spectroscopy, including UV visible, Raman, infrared, NMR and mass spectroscopy. In addition, the Flory–Huggins theory for polymer solutions and their phase separation is treated more rigorously. Part III A completely new, major topic in this section is multicomponent polymer systems. The book also incorporates new material on macromolecular dynamics and reptation, liquid crystalline polymers and thermal analysis. Many of the diagrams and micrographs have been updated to more clearly highlight features of polymer morphology. Part IV The last part of the book contains major new sections on polymer composites, such as nanocomposites, and electrical properties of polymers. Other new topics include effects of chain entanglements, swelling of elastomers, polymer fibres, impact behaviour and ductile fracture. Coverage of rubber-toughening of brittle plastics has also been revised and expanded. While this edition adds many new concepts, the philosophy of the book remains unchanged. Largely self-contained, the text fully derives most equations and cross-references topics between chapters where appropriate. Each chapter not only includes a list of further reading to help readers expand their knowledge of the subject but also provides problem sets to test understanding, particularly of numerical aspects.

Viscoelastic behavior reflects the combined viscous and elastic responses, under mechanical stress, of materials which are intermediate between liquids and solids in character. Polymers the basic materials of the rubber and plastic industries and important to the textile, petroleum, automobile, paper, and pharmaceutical industries as well exhibit viscoelasticity to a pronounced degree. Their viscoelastic properties determine the mechanical performance of the final products of these industries, and also the success of processing methods at intermediate stages of production. Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers examines, in detail, the effects of the many variables on which the basic viscoelastic properties depend. These include temperature, pressure, and time; polymer chemical composition, molecular weight and weight distribution, branching and crystallinity; dilution with solvents or plasticizers; and mixture with other materials to form composite systems. With guidance by molecular theory, the dependence of viscoelastic properties on these variables can be simplified by introducing certain ancillary concepts such as the fractional free volume, the monomeric friction coefficient, and the spacing between entanglement loci, to provide a qualitative understanding and in many cases a quantitative prediction of how to achieve desired results. The phenomenological theory of viscoelasticity which permits interrelation of the results of different types of experiments is presented first, with many useful approximation procedures for calculations given. A wide variety of experimental methods is then described, with critical evaluation of their applicability to polymeric materials of different consistencies and in different regions of the time scale (or, for oscillating deformations, the frequency scale). A review of the present state of molecular theory follows, so that viscoelasticity can be related to the motions of flexible polymer molecules and their entanglements and network junctions. The dependence of viscoestic properties on temperature and pressure, and its descriptions using reduced variables, are discussed in detail. Several chapters are then devoted to the dependence of viscoelastic properties on chemical composition, molecular weight, presence of diluents, and other features, for several characteristic classes of polymer materials. Finally, a few examples are given to illustrate the many potential applications of these principles to practical problems in the processing and use of rubbers, plastics, and fibers, and in the control of vibration and noise. The third edition has been brought up to date to reflect the important developments, in a decade of exceptionally active research, which have led to a wider use of polymers, and a wider recognition of the importance and range of application of viscoelastic properties. Additional data have been incorporated, and the book s chapters on dilute solutions, theory of undiluted polymers, plateau and terminal zones, cross-linked polymers, and concentrated solutions have been extensively rewritten to take into account new theories and new experimental results. Technical managers and research workers in the wide range of industries in which polymers play an important role will find that the book provides basic information for practical applications, and graduate students in chemistry and engineering will find, in its illustrations with real data and real numbers, an accessible introduction to the principles of viscoelasticity.