Polymer Blends: Formulation and Performance is a two-volume set.

This definitive reference explores and summarizes the recent progress made in polymer blend technology. It is, however, far more than a compendium of the recent literature or a review focusing only on dramatic new advances. Designed to serve as a highly practical handbook, it offers a coherent presentation in which the style and content of each chapter are coordinated to ensure a smooth and sensible transition from topic to topic. Each definitive volume provides enough background in each chapter to enable a beginner to start work in the field; presents the most important issues gleaned from critical sifting through the literature; and features clear, concise entries and carefully selected graphics to emphasize important conceptual points.

Volume 1 is devoted to the formation of polymer blends. Coverage includes the basic thermodynamics of polymer—polymer mixtures; characterization of blends by a variety of techniques; and structure formation, particularly of multiphase blends. Volume 2 is devoted to the performance of polymer blends. Coverage includes mechanical properties and fracture resistance; characterization of rubber-toughened polymers; blending for specific performance characteristics; reinforced polymer blends; and problems of recycling blends.

From the Preface: “...It is the goal of these two volumes to be the authoritative source that professionals of the next decades will seek out to learn about this important field and use to set directions for future research and product development...”

Table of Contents:

Volume 1:

Thermodynamics:

Statistical Thermodynamics of Polymer Solutions and Blends

Polymer—Polymer Interactions Based on Mean Field Approximations

Hydrogen Bonding Systems

Polymer Blends as Viewed by Analogue Calorimetry

Crystalline Polymer Blends

Fundamentals of Blends of Rigid-Chain (Liquid Crystal) Polymers

Thermodynamics of Polyolefin Blends

Characterization:

Morphology Characterization by Microscopy Techniques

Viscoelastic Characterization of Polymer Blends

Optical Characterization: Light Scattering, Birefringence, and Ellipsometry

Neutron Scattering and Polymer Blends

Structure Formation:

Formulation and Characterization of Thermoset—Thermoplastic Blends

Chemical Reactions in Blends Based on Condensation Polymers: Transreactions and Molecular and Morphological Characterization

Morphology and Properties of Blends Containing Block Copolymers

Factors Influencing the Morphology of Immiscible Polymer Blends in Melt Processing

Reactive Compatibilization

Processing Aids

Index

Volume 2:

Mechanical Properties and Fracture Resistance:

Quasielastic 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 Semicrystalline Thermoplastics

Toughening of Epoxies

Fatigue-Crack Propagation in Polymer Blends

Blending for Specific Performance:

Transmission and Reflection of Light in Multiphase Media

Thermomechanical Performance of Polymer Blends

Barrier Materials by Blending

Reinforced Blends

Reinforced Polymer Blends

Liquid Crystalline Polymer Blends

From Polymer Blends to Microfibrillar Reinforced Composites

Elastomeric Blends:

Elastomer Blends

Thermoplastic Vulcanizates

Recycling

Recycling of Polymer Blends and Mixtures

Index