An introduction to polymer physics David I Bower

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Polymers and the scope of the book -- A brief history of the development of synthetic polymers -- The chemical nature of polymers -- The classification of polymers -- 'Classical' polymerisation processes -- Newer polymers and polymerisation processes -- Properties and applications -- Polymer processing -- Additives and composites -- Processing methods -- Some general polymer texts -- Further reading specifically for chapter 1 -- Some physical techniques for studying polymers -- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) -- Density measurement -- Light scattering -- X-ray scattering -- Wide-angle scattering (WAXS) -- Small-angle scattering (SAXS) -- Infrared and Raman spectroscopy -- The principles of infrared and Raman spectroscopy -- Spectrometers for infrared and Raman spectroscopy -- The infrared and Raman spectra of polymers -- Quantitative infrared spectroscopy--the Lambert--Beer law -- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) -- NMR spectrometers and experiments -- Chemical shifts and spin--spin interactions -- Magic-angle spinning, dipolar decoupling and cross polarisation -- Spin diffusion -- Multi-dimensional NMR -- Quadrupolar coupling and [superscript 2]H spectra -- Optical and electron microscopy -- Optical microscopy -- Electron microscopy -- Molecular sizes and shapes and ordered structures -- Distributions of molar mass and their determination -- Number-average and weight-average molar masses -- Determination of molar masses and distributions -- The shapes of polymer molecules

"Assuming no previous knowledge of polymers, this book provides a general introduction to the physics of solid polymers. Covering a wide range of topics within the field of polymer physics, the book begins with a brief history of the development of synthetic polymers and an overview of the methods of polymerisation and processing. In the following chapter, David Bower describes important experimental techniques used in the study of polymers. The main part of the book, however, is devoted to the structure and properties of solid polymers, including blends, copolymers and liquid crystal polymers
With an approach appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, materials science or chemistry, the book includes many worked examples, and problems with solutions. It will provide a firm foundation for the study of the physics of solid polymers."