This book addresses new techniques and experimental results in the field of polymer modification by high energy ion beams. It discusses the effects of this treatment on wetting, adhesion, hardness, chemical activity, environmental stability, biocompatibility, and more. It will provide the reader with information on potential real-world applications of ion beam treatment in the polymer industry; use of the technique in the development of new polymer materials; and the types of equipment currently available.

From the Introduction: “...Modern ion beam sources have become cheaper and much more effective for use in industrial processes. This has given us the impetus to collect data on modification effects in polymer materials and to show different kinds of polymer processes where the ion beam implanter can offer new properties or solve technological problems...Due to our attempts to present ion beam techniques for industry, we do not consider very high energy particle sources because of their cost. Our aim therefore is to concentrate on low cost devices and systems which could be used even in small enterprises for production of special kinds of polymer material and polymer devices, where the ratio of `cost of equipment'/`cost of material' is not too high...”

Target Audience: Polymer scientists and technologists concerned with the modification of polymer properties; phycisists interested in new applications for ion beam and plasma equipment.

Table of Contents:

Interactions of Ion Beam with Polymer: Physical Picture

Sources for Ion Beam Treatment

Interaction of Ion Beam with Polymer: Chemical Picture

Structure of Polymers After Ion Beam Treatment

Wetting

Adhesion

Hardness

Ion Beam Synthesis

Biological and Medical Applications

Protection in an Aggressive Environment

Polymerization of Liquid Polymer Matrix in Free Space Environment

Index