This book bridges disparate fields in an exploration of the phenomena and applications surrounding molecular mobility in glassy materials experiencing inelastic deformation. The subjects of plastic deformation and polymer motion/interdiffusion currently belong to the two different fields of continuum mechanics and polymer physics, respectively. However, molecular motion associated with plastic deformation is a key ingredient to gain fundamental understanding, both at the macroscopic and microscopic level. This short monograph provides necessary background in the aforementioned fields before addressing the topic of molecular mobility accompanied by macroscopic inelastic deformation in an accessible and easy-to-understand manner. A new phenomenon of solid-state deformation-induced bonding in polymers is discussed in detail, along with some broad implications in several manufacturing sectors. Open questions pertaining to mechanisms, mechanics, and modeling of deformation-induced bonding in polymers are presented. The book’s clear language and careful explanations will speak to readers of diverse backgrounds.

"the present book will be of great value for both newcomers to the field and mature active researchers by serving as a coherent and timely introduction to some of the modern approaches, ideas, results, emerging understanding, and many open questions in this fascinating field of polymer glasses, supercooled liquids, and thin films" –Kenneth S. Schweizer, Morris Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (from the Foreword) This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of molecular level insights into polymer glasses in confined geometries and under deformation. Polymer glasses have become ubiquitous to our daily life, from the polycarbonate eyeglass lenses on the end of our nose to large acrylic glass panes holding water in aquarium tanks, with advantages over glass in that they are lightweight and easy to manufacture, while remaining transparent and rigid. The contents include an introduction to the field, as well as state of the art investigations. Chapters delve into studies of commonalities across different types of glass formers (polymers, small molecules, colloids, and granular materials), which have enabled microscopic and molecular level frameworks to be developed. The authors show how glass formers are modeled across different systems, thereby leading to treatments for polymer glasses with first-principle based approaches and molecular level detail. Readers across disciplines will benefit from this topical overview summarizing the key areas of polymer glasses, alongside an introduction to the main principles and approaches.

Explores the nature of relaxation phenomena in polymers on the basis of time-temperature equivalence. Its role in the physical and mechanical behavior of polymers materials and fundamentals of thermoplastics processing are discussed. Four appendixes detail thermo-mechanical methods to study relaxation in polymers, structure of both amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers, and unified approach to describe deformation of polymeric materials.

Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers explores the role of various surface phenomena in the structural and mechanical behaviour of amorphous and semicrystalline polymers. This book: Discusses the development of the interfacial surface in the deformation of polymers Examines the healing of interfacial surfaces in polymers Inspects the structure and properties of polymers in thin films and surface layers Evaluates the mechanism of inelastic deformation in glassy amorphous polymers Investigates strain softening and the phenomena taking place upon deformation of polymers in active liquid media Covers the Rehbinder effect, or the adsorption reduction of the strength of solids Describes the properties of polymers in environmental or solvent crazing Analyses the interaction of the highly developed surface of crazed polymers with diverse low- and high-molecular mass components Addresses the instability and self-organisation of surface layers in polymers and diverse polymer systems Presents theoretical speculations concerning the structurally mechanical behaviour of ‘a rigid coating on a soft substratum’ (RCSS) systems Assesses the stress–strain properties of the thin surface layers of polymers and the nanometric coatings deposited on their surfaces Highlights the efficacy of the approaches developed for RCSS systems for the analysis and description of natural phenomena Details the applied aspects of surface phenomena in the structurally mechanical behaviour of polymers Thus, Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers provides a useful framework for the development of new and innovative polymer-based materials.

"the present book will be of great value for both newcomers to the field and mature active researchers by serving as a coherent and timely introduction to some of the modern approaches, ideas, results, emerging understanding, and many open questions in this fascinating field of polymer glasses, supercooled liquids, and thin films" –Kenneth S. Schweizer, Morris Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (from the Foreword) This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of molecular level insights into polymer glasses in confined geometries and under deformation. Polymer glasses have become ubiquitous to our daily life, from the polycarbonate eyeglass lenses on the end of our nose to large acrylic glass panes holding water in aquarium tanks, with advantages over glass in that they are lightweight and easy to manufacture, while remaining transparent and rigid. The contents include an introduction to the field, as well as state of the art investigations. Chapters delve into studies of commonalities across different types of glass formers (polymers, small molecules, colloids, and granular materials), which have enabled microscopic and molecular level frameworks to be developed. The authors show how glass formers are modeled across different systems, thereby leading to treatments for polymer glasses with first-principle based approaches and molecular level detail. Readers across disciplines will benefit from this topical overview summarizing the key areas of polymer glasses, alongside an introduction to the main principles and approaches.

An insightful exploration of cutting-edge spectroscopic techniques in polymer characterization In Spectroscopic Techniques for Polymer Characterization: Methods, Instrumentation, Applications, a team of distinguished chemists delivers a comprehensive exploration of the vast potential of spectroscopic characterization techniques in polymer research. The book offers a concise outline of the principles, advantages, instrumentation, experimental techniques, and noteworthy applications of cutting-edge spectroscopy. Covering a wide range of polymers, from nylon to complex polymeric nanocomposites, the author presents recent developments in polymer science to polymer, analytical, and material chemists, assisting them in keeping track of the progress in modern spectroscopy. Spectroscopic Techniques for Polymer Characterization contains contributions from pioneers in modern spectroscopic techniques from around the world. The included materials bridge the gap between spectroscopists, polymer scientists, and engineers in academia and industry. The book also offers: A thorough introduction to the progress in spectroscopic techniques, including polymer spectroscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy Comprehensive explorations of topical polymers studied by spectroscopy, including polymer thin films, fluoropolymers, polymer solutions, conductive polymers Practical discussions of infrared imaging, near-infrared imaging, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, and far-ultraviolet spectroscopy In-depth examinations of spectroscopic studies of weak hydrogen bonding in polymers Spectroscopic Techniques for Polymer Characterization: Methods, Instrumentation, Applications is a must-read reference for polymer, analytical, and physical chemists, as well as materials scientists and spectroscopists seeking a one-stop resource for polymer characterization using spectroscopic analyses.

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