This volume of the Handbook of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry covers the principles of polymeric materials' thermodynamic and thermal behaviors. The heat capacity of polymer solids and liquids, relaxation processes, molecular dynamics, polymer crystallization and melting, liquid crystalline polymers, copolymers and polymer blends, polymer films, fibers, thermosets, elastomers, composites, thermally stimulated currents, TMDSC, and degradation processes are all addressed. The goal is to spur the imagination to recognize potentially valuable applications of these methods, as well as to anticipate and answer questions, to guide the reader in the selection of appropriate techniques, and to support the effective application of the techniques in a proper and meaningful fashion.

From the Preface: “This volume focuses on the principles and techniques of thermal analysis and calorimetry of polymeric materials...It is my intention that this volume will provide a unique addition to the literature in combining scientific concepts with technological aspects for a deeper understanding of their principles and practices. Polymeric materials are the newest addition to the materials community. A very exciting new field of interdisciplinary macromolecular science and engineering is rapidly emerging: a field where materials science/polymer science, engineering disciplines, chemistry, physics and biology all intersect. This field will have a profound presence in 21st century chemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, manufacturing, infrastructure, electronic, optical and information technologies...”

Target Audience: Researchers and technologists concerned with the application of thermal analysis and calorimetry to polymer materials.

Table of Contents:

Heat Capacity of Polymers

The Glass Transition: Its Measurement and Underlying Physics

Mechanical Relaxation Processes in Polymers

Dielectric Analysis of Polymers

Crystallization and Melting of Metastable Crystalline Polymers

Crystallization, Melting and Morphology of Homogeneous Ethylene Copolymers

Recent Advances in Thermal Analysis of Thermotropic Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Polymer Blends and Copolymers

Thermosets

Thermal Analysis of Polymer Films

Thermal Analysis of Polymer Fibers

Thermal Properties of High Temperature Polymer Matrix Fibrous Composites

Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry of Elastomers

Polymer Degradation

Thermally Stimulated Currents: Recent Developments in Characterization and Analysis of Polymers

Temperature Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TMDSC) — Basics and Applications to Polymers

Index