This book discusses the physical rather than the chemical examination of the properties of polymers on the basis of the type of equipment used, examples of the applications of these techniques are given. Techniques examined include thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis and evolved gas analysis), dynamic mechanical analysis and thermomechanical analysis, dielectric thermal analysis, ESR, MALDI, luminescence testing, photocalorimetry testing and the full range of equipment for mechanical, thermal, electrical, rheological, particle size, molecular weight.

Building on the success of its predecessor with completely revised material and six new chapters, the Handbook of Polypropylene and Polypropylene Composites, Second Edition responds to increasing interest and changing global trends in the manufacture and application of polypropylene resin. The authors highlight viable options for the manufacture of polypropylene composites to better accommodate market requirements across various industries. The second edition introduces chapters on high-purity submicron talc fillers with lamellar microstructures, the utilization of Wollastonite fibers for polypropylene reinforcement, and updated material on nanocomposite production using exfoliated clay treated with maleated polypropylene-based materials, among many other topics.

Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials covers the materials and basic components needed for solar thermal energy systems. Using thermal performance and durability as the major criteria, the twenty six chapters emphasize the modeling and assessment of devices rather than their application or cost. Each part begins with an overview and concludes with an assessment of current issues and opportunities. The contributors have been careful to document failures as well as successes in materials research. This is the fifth volume in a series that distills the results of the intensive research on and development of solar thermal energy conversion technologies from 1975 to 1986. Francis de Winter is President of the Altas Corporation, Santa Cruz, California and a member of the Santa Cruz Energy Advisory Committee. Contents: Solar Collectors. Collector Concepts and Designs. Optical Theory and Modeling of Solar Collectors. Thermal Theory and Modeling of Solar Collectors. Testing and Evaluation of Stationary Collectors. Testing and Evaluation of Tracking Collectors. Optical Research and Development. Collector Thermal Research and Development. Collector Engineering Research and Development. Solar Pond Research and Development. Reliability and Durability of Solar Collectors. Environmental Degradation of Low-Cost Solar Collectors. Energy Storage for Solar Systems. Storage Concepts and Design. Analytical and Numerical Modeling of Thermal Conversion Systems. Testing and Evaluation of Thermal Energy Storage Systems. Storage Research and Development. Materials for Solar Technologies. Materials for Solar Collector Concepts and Designs. Theory and Modeling of Solar Materials. Testing and Evaluation of Solar Materials. Exposure Testing and Evaluation of Performance Degradation. Solar Materials Research and Development.

Use of polymers in product design has continued to grow at a rate unrivalled by conventional materials such as metal, ceramics or glass. More polymeric materials are becoming available to the designer, and this report highlights the need for caution in new design work, for careful use of new materials, and for awareness of the product environment. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database gives useful references for further reading.