Advances in polymer processing: From macro- to nano-scales

- reviews the latest advances in polymer processing, techniques and materials analysing new challenges and opportunities

-discusses the fundamentals of polymer processing considering the compounding and mixing of polymers as well as extrusion

-assesses alternative processing technologies including calendaring and coating and thermoforming of polymers

-examines the moulding process and post-processing technologies with particular focus on online monitoring and computer modelling of polymers

Processing techniques are critical to the performance of polymer products which are used in a wide range of industries. Advances in polymer processing: From macro- to nano- scales reviews the latest advances in polymer processing, techniques and materials.

Part one reviews the fundamentals of polymer processing with chapters on rheology, materials and polymer extrusion. Part two then discusses advances in moulding technology with chapters on such topics as compression, rotational and blow moulding of polymers. Chapters in Part three review alternative processing technologies such as calendaring and coating, foam processing and radiation processing of polymers. Part four discusses micro and nano-technologies with coverage of themes such as processing of macro, micro and nanocomposites and processing of carbon nanotubes. The final section of the book addresses post-processing technologies with chapters on online monitoring and computer modelling as well as joining, machining, finishing and decorating of polymers.

With is distinguished editors and team of international contributors, Advances in polymer processing: From macro- to nano- scales scales will be an invaluable reference for engineers and academics concerned with polymer processing.

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

Recent advances in polymer processing: the state of the art, new challenges and opportunities

- Introduction

- Polymer processing: an overview

- Recent advances in multicomponent polymeric materials

- Concluding remarks and future trends

- References

Non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and polymer rheology

- Introduction

- Non-Newtonian behaviour

- Newtonian shear flow

- Shear flow of a power law fluid

- Parameters influencing non-Newtonian behaviour

- Elongational flow

- Elastic effects in polymer melt flow

- Polymer blends

- Polymer nanocomposites

- Rheometry

- Solution viscosity

- Molecular rheology

- Polymer processing

- Applications

- References

Polymeric materials: elastomers, plastics, fibers, composites, nanocomposites and blends

- Overview of polymeric materials

- Elastomers

- Plastics

- Composites (macro, micro and nano composites)

- Blends (micro and nano blends)

- Conclusions

- References

Compounding and mixing of polymers

- Introduction

- Basic principles of compounding

- Rubber compounding

- Plastic compounding

- Criteria for selection of ingredients

- Ingredient functions

- Fillers: fibers to nanoparticles

- Design of compounds

- Machinery for compounding

- Compounding for specific properties

- Compound management

- Quality control

- Conclusions

- Future Readings and References

Screw extrusion in polymer processing

- Introduction

- Screw plasticizing system

- Construction of the screw

- Construction of the barrel

- References

Reactive extrusion of polymers

- Introduction

- Functionalisation of polyolefins

- Polyblends containing functionalised polyolefins

- Summary

- References

PART 2 MOULDING TECHNOLOGY

Injection moulding of polymers

Rotational moulding of polymers

Blow moulding of polymers

PART 3 ALTERNATIVE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Liquid resin and polymer solution processing

Calendering and coating of polymers

Thermoforming of polymers

Polymer processing using supercritical fluids

Radiation processing of polymers

Novel processing additives for extrusion and injection moulding of polymers

PART 4 MICRO AND NANOTECHNOLOGIES

Preparing rubber based nanocomposites through compounding and vulcanization

Micromoulding of polymers

Reactive polymer processing and design of stable micro- and nanostructures

Processing of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube based polymer nanocomposites

PART 5 ANALYSIS OF THE MOULDING PROCESS AND POST-PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Online monitoring of mould flow in polymer processing

Computer modeling and simulation of polymer processing

Joining, machining, finishing and decorating of polymers