edited by D.R. Paul
and C.B. Bucknall

The authoritative resource on polymer blends for the twenty-first century!

Features:

• Contributions from the world's leading experts provide the most authoritative and objective examination of the past twenty years of progress in the field
• Careful editing ensures a smooth and logical transition from topic to topic
• Comprehensive coverage provide enough background to enable even a beginner to begin work in the field
• In-depth coverage presents the most important issues in the field culled from critical sifting through current literature
• Clear, concise entries and carefully selected graphics emphasize important basic principles and conceptual points to aid in understanding
• Bibliographies at the end of each chapter identify the most up-to-date and significant literature on each topic to facilitate further research.

The most definitive and up-date reference available on the subject, the two-volume set explores and summarizes the recent progress made in polymer blend technology through the use of carefully selected contributions from today's foremost authorities from around the world.

Volume 1 is devoted to the formulation of polymer blends. Coverage includes:

• The basic thermodynamics of polymer-polymer mixtures
• Characterization of blends by a variety of techniques
• Structure formation, particularly of multiphase blends

Volume 2 is devoted to the performance of polymer blends. Coverage includes:

• Mechanical properties and fracture resistance
• The performance of rubber-toughened polymers, including fatigue bahavior
• Blending for specific performance characteristics
• Reinforced polymer blends.

Stemming from over two decades of growth within the field, each chapter offers a unique combination of expertise and point of view designed to guide professionals working in the field into the twenty-first century.

Contents

1. Thermodynamics
   • Statistical Thermo-Dynamics of Polymer Solutions and Blends
   • Polymer-Polymer Interactions Based on Mean Field Approximations
   • Hydrogen Bonding Systems
   • Polymer Blends as Viewed Byanalog Calorimetry
   • Crystalline Polymer Blends
   • Fundamentals of Blends of Rigid Chain (Liquid Crystal) Polymers
   • Thermodynamics of Polyolefin Blends

2. Characterization
   • Morphology Characterization by Microscopy Techniques
   • Viscoelastic Characterization of Polymer Blends
   • Optical Characterization: Light Scattering, Birefringence, and Ellipsometry
   • Neutron Scattering and Polymer Blends

3. Structure Formation
   • Formulation and Characterization of Thermoset/Thermoplastic Blends
   • Chemical Reactions in Blends Based on Condensation Polymers: Transreactions, Molecular and Morphological Characterization
   • Morphology and Properties of Blends Containing Block Copolymers
   • Factors Influencing the Morphology in Immiscible Polymer Blends in Melt Processing
   • Reactive Compatibilization
   • Processing Aids

4. Mechanical Properties and Fracture Resistance
   • Quasi-Elastic Mechanical Properties
   • Application of Fracture Mechanics for Characterization of Toughness of Polymer Blends
   • Characterizing Toughness Using Standard Empirical Tests
   • Deformation Mechanisms in Rubber-Toughened Polymers
   • Strengthening Polymer-Polymer Interfaces
   • Core-Shell Impact Modifiers
   • Toughening of Semi-Crystalline Thermoplastics
   • Toughening of Epoxies
   • Fatigue Crack Propagation in Polymer Blends

5. Blending for Specific Performance
   • Transmission and Reflection of Light in Multiphase Media
   • Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Polymer Blends
   • Barrier Materials by Blending

6. Reinforced Blends
   • Reinforced Polymer Blends
   • Liquid Crystalline Polymer Blends
   • Microfibrillar Reinforced Composites From Polymer Blends

7. Elastomeric Blends
   • Elastomer Blends
   • Thermoplastic Vulcanizates

8. Recycling
   • Recycling of Polymer Blends and Mixture

Index

click here to see books • videos • cd-roms of related interest