This book provides a critical review of the equilibrium elastic properties of rubber, together with the kinetic-theory background. It is suitable for the non-specialist and the emphasis is on the physical reality embodied in the mathematical formulations. Polymer science had developed greatly since the second edition of this text in 1958, and the two main advances - the refinements of the network theory and associated thermodynamic analysis, and the development of thephenomenological or non-molecular approach to the subject - are both reflected in the structure of this third edition.

A physical, mechanism-based presentation of the plasticity and fracture of polymers, covering industrial scale applications through to nanoscale biofluidic devices.

Rubber elasticity is an important sub-field of polymer science. This book is in many ways a sequel to the authors' previous, more introductory book, Rubberlike Elasticity: A Molecular Primer (Wiley-Interscience, 1988), and will in some respects replace the now classic book by L.R.G. Treloar, The Physics of Rubber Elasticity (Oxford, 1975). The present book has much in common with its predecessor, in particular its strong emphasis on molecular concepts and theories. Similarly, only equilibrium properties are covered in any detail. Though this book treats much of the same subject matter, it is a more comprehensive, more up-to-date, and somewhat more sophisticated treatment.

Rubber elasticity is an important sub-field of polymer science. This book is in many ways a sequel to the authors' previous, more introductory book, Rubberlike Elasticity: A Molecular Primer (Wiley-Interscience, 1988), and will in some respects replace the now classic book by L.R.G. Treloar, The Physics of Rubber Elasticity (Oxford, 1975). The present book has much in common with its predecessor, in particular its strong emphasis on molecular concepts and theories. Similarly, only equilibrium properties are covered in any detail. Though this book treats much of the same subject matter, it is a more comprehensive, more up-to-date, and somewhat more sophisticated treatment.