An earlier edition was published under the title: Encyclopedia of polymer science and engineering.

This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of the nature, manufacture, structure, properties, processing, and applications of commercially available polymers. The main feature of the book is the range of topics from both theory and practice, which means that physical properties and applications of the materials concerned are described in terms of the theory, chemistry and manufacturing constraints which apply to them. It will therefore enable scientists to understand the commercial implications of their work as well as providing polymer technologists, engineers and designers with a theoretical background. - Provides a comprehensive overview of commercially available polymers - Offers a unique mix of theory and application - Essential for both scientists and technologists

This compact desk reference includes all of the subjects contained in the 17 alphabetical volumes and the Supplement and Index volumes of the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering. The articles have been condensed by professional science writers, reviewed for accuracy by the original authors or their colleagues, and updated where necessary. Like the ten-million word edition, this one-million word edition provides both SI and common units, carefully selected key references for each article, and hundreds of tables, charts, figures, and graphs. This distillation, skillfully prepared to retain the factual material of the original, is a complete and self-contained encyclopedia. It is designed to serve as a ready-reference guide for anyone seeking answers to questions on any aspect of polymer science and engineering.

This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of the nature, manufacture, structure, properties, processing, and applications of commercially available polymers. The main feature of the book is the range of topics from both theory and practice, which means that physical properties and applications of the materials concerned are described in terms of the theory, chemistry and manufacturing constraints which apply to them. It will therefore enable scientists to understand the commercial implications of their work as well as providing polymer technologists, engineers and designers with a theoretical background. Provides a comprehensive overview of commercially available polymers Offers a unique mix of theory and application Essential for both scientists and technologists