Introduction to polymer science and technology

Abstract

The subject of this book is covered in seven chapters. The chapters are arranged in an attempt to reflect the three pillars of materials science and technology: in materials, there is a strong link between processing, microstructure and properties. Chapter 1 in this book is introductory and includes a history of the development of polymers; the importance of the knowledge of materials for engineers and technologists; what makes polymeric materials attractive over conventional materials and a description of the versatile nature of polymers. The subsequent two chapters deal with the polymerization processes and the processes employed in the conversion of polymeric raw materials into products. Chapter 4 covers the microstructural features in polymers, including lamellage, spherulites, crosslinking, and the measurements of degrees of crystallinity and molecular orientation. The viscoelastic nature of polymers, the time/temperature sensitivity of viscoelasticity and how this manifests itself in the form of creep, stress relaxation and mechanical damping are covered in Chapter 5. Glass transition and its dependence on molecular features are also covered in Chapter 5. The last two chapters cover various aspects of mechanical and thermal properties of polymers.