Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Atoms, small, and large molecules 2 Basics of thermal analysis 3 Dynamics of chemical and phase changes 4 Thermal analysis tools 5 Structure and properties of materials 6 Single component materials 7 Multiple component materials App. A.1 Table of thermal properties of linear macromolecules and related small molecules - the ATHAS data bank App. A.2 Radiation scattering App. A.3 Derivation of the Rayleigh ratio App. A.4 Neural network predictions App. A.5 Legendre transformations, Maxwell relations, linking of entropy and probability, and derivation of (dS/dT) App. A.6 Boltzmann distribution, harmonic vibration, complex numbers, and normal modes App. A.7 Summary of the basic kinetics of chemical reactions App. A.8 The ITS 1990 and the Krypton-86 length standard App. A.9 Development of classical DTA to DSC App. A.10 Examples of DTA and DSC under extreme conditions App. A.11 Description of an online correction of the heat-flow rate App. A.12 Derivation of the heat-flow equations App. A.13 Description of sawtooth-modulation response App. A.14 An introduction to group theory, definitions of configurations and conformations, and a summary of rational and irrational numbers App. A.15 Summary of birefringence and polarizing microscopy App. A.16 Summary of X-ray diffraction and interference effects App. A.17 Optical analog of electron double diffraction to produce Moire patterns.

Presents a solid introduction to thermal analysis, methods, instrumentation, calibration, and application along with the necessary theoretical background. Useful to chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and engineers who are new to thermal analysis techniques, and to existing users of thermal analysis who wish expand their experience to new techniques and applications Topics covered include Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis (DSC/DTA), Thermogravimetry, Thermomechanical Analysis and Dilatometry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Micro-Thermal Analysis, Hot Stage Microscopy, and Instrumentation. Written by experts in the various areas of thermal analysis Relevant and detailed experiments and examples follow each chapter.

Thermal analysis comprises a group of techniques used to determine the physical or chemical properties of a substance as it is heated, cooled, or held at constant temperature. It is particularly important for polymer characterization, but also has major application in analysis of pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. This comprehensive handbook presents practical and theoretical aspects of the key techniques of DSC, TGA, TMA, DMA, and related methods. It also includes separate chapters on the glass transition, polymers, polymorphism, purity determination, and method development. The large number of practical examples included should inspire readers toward new ideas for applications in their own fields of work. The chapters are independent of one another and can be read individually in any desired order. Based on years of experience in thermal analysis of users, application specialists, consultants, and course instructors, this book provides practical help to newcomers, inexperienced users, and anyone else interested in the practical aspects of thermal analysis.

From the reviews: "...This very well written new book is recommended to academic and industrial researchers and specialists interested in green polymers and mainly in their thermal properties...This new and opportune book covers some important properties of green polymers and bio-composites." (D. Feldman, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada)

Based on Wiley's renowned Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, this book provides coverage of key methods of characterization of the physical and chemical properties of polymers, including atomic force microscopy, chromatographic methods, laser light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermal analysis, among others. Written by prominent scholars from around the world, this reference presents over twenty-five self -contained articles on the most used analytical techniques currently practiced in polymer science.