This volume is an account of the various approaches used to improve the toughness of polymer matrices. The correlations among the molecular structure of the components, the morphology and the mechanical properties of blend systems are stressed. Emphasis is placed on the methods used to control the structure of these materials during processing.The book concentrates on a number of systems which may be regarded as typologies of toughened plastics. From an extensive treatment of these systems more general concepts have been developed. These concepts which are indispensable in the design and formulation of tough polymer blends, include the role of the interface in multicomponent systems, the chemical reactivity of the blend components, the mode and state of dispersion of the second phase, the crystallinity and crystallization conditions, the glass transition temperature etc.The long term activity in the area is mainly reported, which started in the early seventies with the chemical modification of ethylene-propylene copolymers to be used as tougheners of Polyamide-6. Such a system is investigated further both from a fundamental and from an applicative point of view. The volume shows how intellectually stimulating and challenging the field of polymer toughening can be, and is intended to encourage the reader to do more research in this area.

An Updated Edition of the Classic Text Polymers constitute the basis for the plastics, rubber, adhesives, fiber, and coating industries. The Fourth Edition of Introduction to Physical Polymer Science acknowledges the industrial success of polymers and the advancements made in the field while continuing to deliver the comprehensive introduction to polymer science that made its predecessors classic texts. The Fourth Edition continues its coverage of amorphous and crystalline materials, glass transitions, rubber elasticity, and mechanical behavior, and offers updated discussions of polymer blends, composites, and interfaces, as well as such basics as molecular weight determination. Thus, interrelationships among molecular structure, morphology, and mechanical behavior of polymers continue to provide much of the value of the book. Newly introduced topics include: Nanocomposites, including carbon nanotubes and exfoliated montmorillonite clays The structure, motions, and functions of DNA and proteins, as well as the interfaces of polymeric biomaterials with living organisms The glass transition behavior of nano-thin plastic films In addition, new sections have been included on fire retardancy, friction and wear, optical tweezers, and more. Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, Fourth Edition provides both an essential introduction to the field as well as an entry point to the latest research and developments in polymer science and engineering, making it an indispensable text for chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and polymer science and engineering students and professionals.

Distinguishing among blends, alloys and other types of combinations, clarifying terminology and presenting data on new processes and materials, this work present up-to-date and effective compounding techniques for polymers. It offers extensive analyses on the challenging questions that surround miscibility, compatibility, dynamic processing, interaction/phase behaviour, and computer simulations for predicting behaviours of polymer mixture and interaction.

Since their first industrial use polymers have gained a tremendous success. The two volumes of "Polymers - Opportunities and Risks" elaborate on both their potentials and on the impact on the environment arising from their production and applications. Volume 11 "Polymers - Opportunities and Risks I: General and Environmental Aspects" is dedicated to the basics of the engineering of polymers – always with a view to possible environmental implications. Topics include: materials, processing, designing, surfaces, the utilization phase, recycling, and depositing. Volume 12 "Polymers - Opportunities and Risks II: Sustainability, Product Design and Processing" highlights raw materials and renewable polymers, sustainability, additives for manufacture and processing, melt modification, biodegradation, adhesive technologies, and solar applications. All contributions were written by leading experts with substantial practical experience in their fields. They are an invaluable source of information not only for scientists, but also for environmental managers and decision makers.

The present work deals with the characterisation and multi-scale modelling of the large-strain response of ternary polymer blends. In a homogenised constitutive modelling approach, particularly the deformation behaviour featuring plastic dilatancy is investigated. Concerning the micromechanical modelling, constitutive models are proposed for the blends' individual phases and compared regarding their capabilities to capture the composition-dependent fracture toughness in unit cell models.

Composite materials often demand a unique combination of properties, including high thermal and oxidative stability, toughness, solvent resistance and low dielectric constant. This book, "Thermoplastic - Composite Materials", is comprised of seven excellent chapters, written for all specialized scientists and engineers dealing with characterization, thermal, mechanical and technical properties, rheological, morphological and microstructure properties and processing design of composite materials.

This volume features fundamental research and applications in the field of the design and application of engineering materials, predominantly within the context of mechanical engineering applications. This includes a wide range of materials engineering and technology, including metals, e.g., polymers, composites, and ceramics. Advanced applications would include manufacturing in the new or newer materials, testing methods, multi-scale experimental and computational aspects. This book features fundamental research and applications in the design of engineering materials, predominantly within the context of mechanical engineering applications such as automobile, railway, marine, aerospace, biomedical, pressure vessel technology, and turbine technology. It covers a wide range of materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics. Advanced applications include the manufacturing of new materials, testing methods, multi-scale experimental and computational aspects. p>