This recently revised and updated reference presents sixty percent new material on the structure, morphology, and properties of polyolefin synthesis. It focuses on synthetic advances, the use of additives, polyolefin blends, composites and fibers, and surface treatment, including a discussion of the problem of interfacial and superficial phenomena.The chapters on properties offer extensive experimental data taken under a range of conditions.

The Second Edition of the Handbook of Polyolefins considers both the primary industrial and more novel routes of synthesis. It examines new additives, including stabilizers, nucleating and clarifying agents, fillers and reinforcements, and coupling agents. It also describes thermodynamic properties of polyolefin solutions, reviews marketing data and their impact on scientific and economic development, explains functionalized and controlled lifetime polyolefins, clarifies biocompatibility and biodeterioration, and more.

From the Preface: “...Recently, important progress has been made in the modeling of catalytically active surfaces and catalysts, particularly in the field of metallocenes. The polyolefin industry is now at a crossroads with a revolution directly attributable to these metallocenes. The metallocene constrained geometry catalysts offer the control of the polyolefin structure and molecular weight as never before witnessed...”

Target Audience: Chemical and design engineers; polymer, analytical, materials, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical chemists; environmental scientists and technologists; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Table of Contents:

Competitive New Technologies in Polyolefin Synthesis and Materials

Recent Progress on Single-Site Catalysts

Synthesis of Monomers by Olefin Metathesis

Advances in Cycloolefin Polymerization

Synthesis of Copolymers from Cycloolefins

Structure of Polyolefins

Morphology of Polyolefins

The Glass Transition of Polyolefins

Crystallization of Polyolefins

Estimation of Properties of Olefin Monomers and Polymers

Mechanical Properties and Parameters of Polyolefins

Electrical Properties

Rheological and Optical Properties and Parameters

Solution Characterization of Polyolefins

Thermodynamic Properties of Polyolefin Solutions

General Survey of the Properties of Polyolefins

Degradation and Decomposition

Biocompatibility and Biodeterioration of Polyolefins

Controlled-Lifetime PO Materials

Additives for Polyolefins

Special Additives: Blowing Agents, Flame Retardants, Pigments, Fillers, and Reinforcements

Polyolefin Polyblends

Compatibilization of Polyolefin Polyblends

Surface Modifications of Polyolefins by Gas-Phase Methods

Polyolefin Composites: Interfacial Phenomena and Properties

Functionalized Polyolefins: Synthesis and Application in Blends and Composites

Polyolefin Fibers

Technological Aspects of Additive Use for Polyolefin Fiber Production

Technological Aspects of Additives Use for Thermoplastic and Elastomeric Polyolefins

Quality Control of Processed Thermoplastic Polyolefins

Balance of Processability, Performance, and Marketability in Metallocene Polyolefins

Appendix 1: Suppliers and Manufacturers of Polyolefins and Polyolefin Products

Appendix 2: Suppliers and Manufacturers of Additives for Polyolefins

Index