An Introduction to Polymer Physics

A general introduction to polymer physics suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

David I. Bower (Author)

9780521637213, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 May 2002

468 pages, 250 b/w illus. 18 tables
24.6 x 19 x 2.4 cm, 1.006 kg

'An Introduction to Polymer Physics is aimed at the novice, assuming no prior knowledge of the physics of solid polymers. As a polymer chemist myself, this has been well tested during the process of this review! I feel that the author really simplifies complicated topics to levels that are easy to understand. The book will help undergraduates to understand difficult concepts and introduce experienced polymer chemists to new areas. It does so in a way that will enable them to have a firm footing when tackling more advanced textbooks and the primary literature. In short, this is an excellent book, which I believe will appeal to a wide range of chemists, physicists, material scientists, and engineers. Materials Today

Assuming no previous knowledge of polymers, this book provides a general introduction to the physics of solid polymers. Covering a wide range of topics within the field of polymer physics, the book begins with a brief history of the development of synthetic polymers and an overview of the methods of polymerisation and processing. In the following chapter, David Bower describes important experimental techniques used in the study of polymers. The main part of the book, however, is devoted to the structure and properties of solid polymers, including blends, copolymers and liquid crystal polymers. With an approach appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, materials science or chemistry, the book includes many worked examples, and problems with solutions. It will provide a firm foundation for the study of the physics of solid polymers.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Some physical techniques for studying polymers
3. Molecular sizes and shapes and ordered structures
4. Regular chains and crystallinity
5. Morphology and motion
6. mechanical properties I - time-independent elasticity
7. Mechanical properties II - linear viscoelasticity
8. Yield and fracture of polymers
9. Electrical and optical properties
10. Oriented polymers I - production and characterisation
11. Oriented polymers II - models and properties
12. Polymer blends, copolymers, and liquid crystal polymers
Appendix: Cartesian tensors
Solutions to problems
Index.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Polymer chemistry [PNNP], Physics [PH]