Introduction to Physical Polymer Science

Trained as a chemist, L. H. SPERLING is Professor Emeritus of both Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He remains active in consulting, speaking, and writing.

• Preface to the Fourth EditionPreface to the First EditionSymbols and DefinitionsChapter 1: Introduction to Polymer Science1.1 From Little Molecules to Big Molecules1.2 Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distributions1.3 Major Polymer Transitions1.4 Polymer Synthesis and Structure1.5 Cross-Linking, Plasticizers, and Fillers1.6 The Macromolecular Hypothesis1.7 Historical Development of Industrial Polymers1.8 Molecular EngineeringChapter 2: Chain Structure and Configuration2.1 Examples of Configurations and Conformations2.2 Theory and Instruments2.3 Stereochemistry of Repeating Units2.4 Repeating Unit Isomerism2.5 Common Types of Copolymers2.6 NMR in Modern Research2.7 Multicomponent Polymers2.8 Conformational States in Polymers2.9 Analysis of Polymers During Mechanical Strain2.10 Photophysics of Polymers2.11 Configuration and ConformationChapter 3: Dilute Solution Thermodynamics, Molecular Weights, and Sizes3.1 Introduction3.2 The Solubility Parameter3.3 Thermodynamics of Mixing3.4 Molecular Weight Averages3.5 Determination of the Number-Average Molecular Weight3.6 Weight-Average Molecular Weights and Radii of Gyration3.7 Molecular Weights of Polymers3.8 Intrinsic Viscosity3.9 Gel Permeation Chromatography3.10 Mass Spectrometry3.11 Instrumentation for Molecular Weight Determination3.12 Solution Thermodynamics and Molecular WeightsChapter 4: Concentrated Solutions, Phase Separation Behavior, and Diffusion4.1 Phase Separation and Fractionation4.2 Regions of the Polymer-Solvent Phase Diagram4.3 Polymer–Polymer Phase Separation4.4 Diffusion and Permeability in Polymers4.5 Latexes and Suspensions4.6 Multicomponent and Multiphase MaterialsChapter 5: The Amorphous State5.1 The Amorphous Polymer State5.2 Experimental Evidence Regarding Amorphous Polymers5.3 Conformation of the Polymer Chain5.4 Macromolecular Dynamics5.5 Concluding RemarksChapter 6: The Crystalline State6.1 General Considerations6.2 Methods of Determining Crystal Structure6.3 The Unit Cell of Crystalline Polymers6.4 Structure of Crystalline Polymers6.5 Crystallization from the Melt6.6 Kinetics of Crystallization6.7 The Reentry Problem in Lamellae6.8 Thermodynamics of Fusion6.9 Effect of Chemical Structure on the Melting Temperature6.10 Fiber Formation and Structure6.11 The Hierarchical Structure of Polymeric Materials6.12 How do You Know It's a Polymer?Chapter 7: Polymers in the Liquid Crystalline State7.1 Definition of a Liquid Crystal7.2 Rod-Shaped Chemical Structures7.3 Liquid Crystalline Mesophases7.4 Liquid Crystal Classification7.5 Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams7.6 Mesophase Identification in Thermotropic Polymers7.7 Fiber Formation7.8 Comparison of Major Polymer Types7.9 Basic Requirements for Liquid Crystal FormationChapter 8: Glass–Rubber Transition Behavior8.1 Simple Mechanical Relationships8.2 Five Regions of Viscoelastic Behavior8.3 Methods of Measuring Transitions in Polymers8.4 Other Transitions and Relaxations8.5 Time and Frequency Effects on Relaxation Processes8.6 Theories of the Glass Transition8.7 Effect of Molecular Weight on Tg8.8 Effect of Copolymerization on Tg8.9 Effect of Crystallinity on Tg8.10 Dependence of Tg on Chemical Structure8.11 Effect of Pressure on Tg8.12 Damping and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior8.13 Definitions of Elastomers, Plastics, Adhesives, and FibersChapter 9: Cross-Linked Polymers and Rubber Elasticity9.1 Cross-Links and Networks9.2 Historical Development of Rubber9.3 Rubber Network Structure9.4 Rubber Elasticity Concepts9.5 Thermodynamic Equation of State9.6 Equation of State for Gases9.7 Statistical Thermodynamics of Rubber Elasticity9.8 The "Carnot Cycle" for Elastomers9.9 Continuum Theories of Rubber Elasticity9.10 Some Refinements to Rubber Elasticity9.11 Internal Energy Effects9.12 The Flory–Rehner Equation9.13 Gelation Phenomena in Polymers9.14 Gels and Gelation9.15 Effect of Strain on the Melting Temperature9.16 Elastomers in Current Use9.17 Summary of Rubber Elasticity BehaviorChapter 10: Polymer Viscoelasticity and Rheology10.1 Stress Relaxation and Creep10.2 Relaxation and Retardation Times10.3 The Time-Temperature Superposition Principle10.4 Polymer Melt Viscosity10.5 Polymer Rheology10.6 Overview of Viscoelasticity and RheologyChapter 11: Mechanical Behavior of Polymers11.1 An Energy Balance for Deformation and Fracture11.2 Deformation and Fracture in Polymers11.3 Crack Growth11.4 Cyclic Deformations11.5 Molecular Aspects of Fracture and Healing in Polymers11.6 Friction and Wear in Polymers11.7 Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Polymers11.8 SummaryChapter 12: Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces12.1 Polymer Surfaces12.2 Thermodynamics of Surfaces and Interfaces12.3 Instrumental Methods of Characterization12.4 Conformation of Polymer Chains in a Polymer Blend Interphase12.5 The Dilute Solution–Solid Interface12.6 Instrumental Methods for Analyzing Polymer Solution Interfaces12.7 Theoretical Aspects of the Organization of Chains at Walls12.8 Adhesion at Interfaces12.9 Interfaces of Polymeric Biomaterials with Living Organisms12.10 Overview of Polymer Surface and Interface ScienceChapter 13: Multicomponent Polymeric Materials13.1 Classification Schemes for Multicomponent Polymeric Materials13.2 Miscible and Immiscible Polymer Pairs13.3 The Glass Transition Behavior of Multicomponent Polymer Materials13.4 The Modulus of Multicomponent Polymeric Materials13.5 The Morphology of Multiphase Polymeric Materials13.6 Phase Diagrams in Polymer Blends (Broad Definition)13.7 Morphology of Composite Materials13.8 Nanotechnology-Based Materials13.9 Montmorillonite Clays13.10 Fracture Behavior of Multiphase Polymeric Materials13.11 Processing and Applications of Polymer Blends and CompositesChapter 14: Modern Polymer Topics14.1 Polyolefins14.2 Thermoset Polymer Materials14.3 Polymer and Polymer Blend Aspects of Bread Doughs14.4 Natural Product Polymers14.5 Dendritic Polymers and Other Novel Polymeric Structures14.6 Polymers in Supercritical Fluids14.7 Electrical Behavior of Polymers14.8 Polymers for Nonlinear Optics14.9 Light-Emitting Polymers and Electroactive Materials14.10 Optical Tweezers in Biopolymer Research14.11 The 3-D Structure and Function of Biopolymers14.12 Fire Retardancy in Polymers14.13 Polymer Solution-Induced Drag Reduction14.14 Modern Engineering Plastics14.15 Major Advances in Polymer Science and EngineeringReferencesGeneral ReadingStudy ProblemsIndex

"Anyone in need of a basic text on polymer science would find this to be a very good choice, and it is highly recommended." (IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, January/February 2007)