This book provides a detailed summary of state-of-the-art methods for measuring the rheological properties of molten polymers and relating them quantitatively to molecular structure. Recent improvements in molecular modeling have made it possible to predict the detailed molecular structure of a polymer based on polymerization conditions and to use this knowledge of the structure to predict rheological properties. Such models also provide the basis for using rheological data to infer molecular structure. Soon, it will be possible to use this knowledge to design a molecular structure with prescribed processability and end-product properties, to specify the catalyst and reaction conditions necessary to produce a polymer with this structure, and to use rheology to verify that the desired structure has, in fact, been produced. Recommended.

From the Preface: “...Until recent years, there existed major barriers to the development of quantitative relationships between the molecular structure of molten polymers and their rheological behavior. First, reaction systems capable of producing polymers on an industrial scale yielded materials with complex and imprecisely controlled structures. Second, the molecular weight distributions of linear polymers tended to be broad and somewhat irreproducible. And, finally, the branching structure of long-chain branched polymers, particularly low-density polyethylene, involves multidimensional distributions that can netiher be predicted nor characterized with precision. However, over the last ten years, advances in the areas of catalysis and molecular modeling have changed this situation dramatically...”

Target Audience: Industrial and academic technologists and researchers in polymer science who are interested in the relationship of structure and rheology in polymer melts.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Structure of Polymers

Polymerization Reactions and Processes

Linear Viscoelasticity — Fundamentals

Linear Viscoelasticity — Behavior of Molten Polymers

Tube Models for Linear Polymers — Fundamentals

Tube Models for Linear Polymers — Advanced Topics

Determination of Molecular Weight Distribution Using Rheology

Tube Models for Branched Polymers

Nonlinear Viscoelasticity

Tube Models for Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Linear and Branched Polymers

State of the Art Challenges for the Future

Appendices

Index