Most of the shaping in the manufacture of polymeric objects is carried out in the melt state, as it is a substantial part of the physical property development. Melt processing involves an interplay between fluid mechanics and heat transfer in rheologically complex liquids, and taken as a whole it is a nice example of the importance of coupled transport processes. This book is on the underlying foundations of polymer melt processing, which can be derived from relatively straightforward ideas in fluid mechanics and heat transfer; the level is that of an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate course, and the material can serve as the text for a course in polymer processing or for a second course in transport processes.

This book presents the main results obtained by different laboratories involved in the research group Rheology for polymer melt processing which is associated with French universities, schools of engineering, and the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - France). The group comprises some 15 research laboratories of varied disciplines (chemistry, physics, material sciences, mechanics, mathematics), but with a common challenge viz. to enhance the understanding of the relationships between macromolecular species, their rheology and their processing. Some crucial issues of polymer science have been addressed: correlation of viscoelastic macroscopic bulk property measurements and models, slip at the wall, extrusion defects, correlation between numerical flow simulations and experiments. Features of the book: • The book is unique in that it allows one to grasp the key issues in polymer rheology and processing at once through a series of detailed state-of-the-art contributions, which were previously scattered throughout the literature. • Each paper was reviewed by experts and the book editors and some coordination was established in order to achieve a readable and easy access style. • Papers have been grouped in sections covering successively: Molecular dynamics, Constitutive equations and numerical modelling, Simple and complex flows. • Each paper can be read independently. Since the book is intended as an introduction to the main topics in polymer processing, it will be of interest to graduate students as well as to scientists in academic and industrial laboratories.

In addition to structure formation in crystallizing polymers and semicrystalline polymers, this second edition completes the topic of transport phenomena. It also reviews solidification by crystallization during cooling and under flow or pressure, which all play an enormous role in polymer melt processing. Generally, there is an intensive interaction between three transport phenomena: heat transfer, momentum transfer (flow, rheology) and (flow induced) crystallization. The strong interaction between the three transport phenomena is a major challenge when it comes to experimentation, and advances in this area are detailed in the book, guiding further development of sound modeling. This book enables readers to follow an advanced course in polymer processing. It is a valuable resource for polymer chemists, applied physicists, rheologists, plastics engineers, mold makers and material scientists.

The continually growing plastics market consists of more than 250 million tons of product annually, making the recurring problem of polymer melt fracture an acute issue in the extrusion of these materials. Presenting a pictorial library of the different forms of melt fracture and real industrial extrusion melt fracture phenomena, Polymer Melt Fract

This book explores the ways in which melt flow behaviour can be exploited by the plastics engineer and technician for increased efficiency of processing operation, control of end product properties and selection and development of polymers for specific purposes. (reissued with minor corrections 1994)

Although plastics are extremely successful commercially, they would never reach acceptable performance standards either in properties or processing without the incorporation of additives. With the inclusion of additives, plastics can be used in a variety of areas competing directly with other materials, but there are still many challenges to overcome. Some additives are severely restricted by legislation, others interfere with each other-in short their effectiveness varies with circumstances. Plastics Additives explains these issues in an alphabetical format making them easily accessible to readers, enabling them to find specific information on a specific topic. Each additive is the subject of one or more articles, providing a suffinct account of each given topic. An international group of experts in additive and polymer science, from many world class companies and institutes, explain the recent rapid changes in additive technology. They cover novel additives (scorch inhibitors, compatibilizers, surface-modified particulates etc.), the established varieties (antioxidants, biocides, antistatic agents, nucleating agents, fillers, fibres, impact modifiers, plasticizers) and many others, the articles also consider environmental concerns, interactions between additives and legislative change. With a quick reference guide and introductory articles that provide the non-specialist and newcomer with relevant information, this reference book is essential reading for anyone concerned with plastics and additives.

Chemically-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties which makes them an attractive starting material for the preparation of super-strong and highly-conductive fibres and films. Much information is available across the primary literature, making it difficult to obtain an overall picture of the state-of-the-art. This volume brings together some of the leading researchers in the field from across the globe to present the potential these materials have, not only in developing and characterising novel materials but also the devices which can be fabricated from them. Topics featured in the book include Raman characterisation, industrial polymer materials, actuators and sensors and polymer reinforcement, with chapters prepared by highly-cited authors from across the globe. A valuable handbook for any academic or industrial laboratory, this book will appeal to newcomers to the field and established researchers alike.