Most technological improvements are realized through application of rheology used to modify properties of materials. At the same time, rheology is a complex discipline not fully understood by most researchers and engineers. It is not because rheology is too difficult to understand but mostly because the discipline uses its own language full of terms and models, understood by rheologists but not commonly used by others. ChemTec Publishing introduces a new series entitled Fundamental Topics in Rheology, designed to facilitate conversion of rheology from a field familiar to a narrow group of specialists to a popularly applied science.

Rheology unites the seemingly unrelated fields of plasticity and non-Newtonian fluids by recognizing that both these types of materials are unable to support a shear stress in static equilibrium. In this sense, a plastic solid is a fluid. Granular rheology refers to the continuum mechanical description of granular materials. In this book, rheology--the study of the deformation and flow of matter--is treated primarily in the context of the stresses generated during the flow of complex materials such as polymers, colloids, foams, and gels. A rapidly growing and industrially important field, it plays a significant role in polymer processing, food processing, coating and printing, and many other manufacturing processes.

Rheological Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics

An introduction to the rheology of polymers Designed for practicing scientists and engineers interested in polymer rheology science, education, consulting, or research and development, Introduction to Polymer Rheology is a comprehensive yet accessible guide to the study of the deformation and flow of matter under applied stress. Often considered a complicated topic for beginners, the book makes grasping the fundamentals of polymer rheology easy by presenting information in an approachable way and limiting the use of complex mathematics. By doing so, this introductory overview provides readers with easy access to the key concepts underlying the flow behavior of polymer melts, solutions, and suspensions. Incorporating sample problems that are worked through and explained on the page, as well as numerous practice problems to gauge learning comprehension, the book prepares new students and practitioners for moving on to more advanced concepts. Comprising twelve chapters, the book covers stress, velocity and rate of deformation, the relationship between stress and rate of deformation (Newtonian fluid), generalized Newtonian fluids, normal stresses and elastic behavior, experimental methods, small and large strain, the molecular origins of rheological behavior, elementary polymer processing concepts, quality control in rheology, and the flow of modified polymers and those with supermolecular structure. The essential reference for accurately interpreting polymer rheology data, Introduction to Polymer Rheology provides readers with an elementary understanding of the key issues and modern approaches to resolving problems in the field.

This text introduces the subject of rheology in terms understandable to non-experts and describes the application of rheological principles to many industrial products and processes.

In this book, the necessary background for understanding viscoelasticity is covered; both the continuum and microstructure approaches to modelling viscoelastic materials are discussed, since neither approach alone is sufficient.

Rheology of Polymer Blends and Nanocomposites: Theory, Modelling and Applications focuses on rheology in polymer nanocomposites. It provides readers with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of rheology, with an emphasis on recent advancements. Chapters explore potential future applications for nanocomposites and polymer blends, giving readers a thorough understanding of the specific features derived from rheology as a tool for the study of polymer blends and nanocomposites. This book is ideal for industrial and academic researchers in the field of polymer blends and nanocomposites, but is also a great resource for anyone who wants to learn about the applications of rheology. - Sets out the principles of rheology as it is applied to polymer blends and nanocomposites - Demonstrates how rheological techniques are best applied to different classes of nanocomposites - Assesses the opportunities and major challenges of rheological approaches to polymer blends and nanocomposites