The book brings together the detailed knowledge of structure and morphology of the main classes of polymers, including commodities as well as special polymers, with explanation of the mechanical properties, processes, and mechanisms on macroscopic, microscopic, and nanoscopic scales. Description, explanation, and theoretical interpretation of all of the micro- and nanoscopic processes and mechanisms in different polymers constitute the central part the book. Thus, it offers a key for a better understanding of structure-property correlations of nearly all polymers of interest in industrial applications. A central aim of the book is to show how, by changing the morphology, microprocesses and, finally, the mechanical properties can be improved. There is no other book available on the market which is focused on micromechanical processes of polymers and their role to improve the properties of polymeric materials.

Autorentext
Dr. rer.nat. Goerg H. Michler is professor emeritus of general materials science at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where he founded an institute for materials science.

Leseprobe
Part I: Polymeric Materials 1. The relevance of polymers 2. General properties 3. Trends in polymer science. Routes for the modification of polymers Part II: Techniques to study polymers 4. Techniques to investigate structure and morphology 5. Techniques to investigate the mechanical properties 6. Techniques to investigate the nano- and micromechanical properties and processes Part III: Overview: Structure and morphology of polymers 7. Chemical/molecular structures 8. Supermolecular structures (morphology) Part IV: Overview: Nano- and Micromechanical processes and mechanisms 9. Types of deformation 10. Processes/mechanisms 11. Fracture processes 12. Mechanisms to enhance the mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, toughness) Part V: Main types of polymer materials (detailed description) 13. Amorphous polymers 14. Semicrystalline polymers 15. Blockcopolymers 16. Polymer blends 17. Rubber-toughened polymers 18. Rubbers and elastomers 19. Polymer Composites 20. Fibre-reinforced polymers 21. Nanofibres 22. Multilayered, hot-compacted polymers 23. Foamed polymers 24. Biomedical polymers