Polymeric Liquids & Networks: Structure and Properties [Hardcover]

William W. Graessley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0815341695 | ISBN-13: 978-0815341697 | Publication Date: November 20, 2003 | Edition: 1

Polymeric Liquids and Networks: Structure and Properties is the first book of two by William W. Graessley that presents a unified view of flexible-chain polymer liquids and networks. The topics of both volumes range from equilibrium properties to dynamic response, finite deformation behavior and non-Newtonian flow. The second book will be titled Polymeric Liquids and Networks: Dynamics and Rheology. These various aspects of the field were developed over the past 70 years by researchers from many academic disciplines. The infusion of fresh viewpoints continually invigorated and enriched the field, making polymeric liquids and networks a truly interdisciplinary subject. The lack of a common terminology and perspective, however, has led to compartmentalization, making it difficult for a newcomer, even one technically trained, to gain a broad appreciation of the field and to see the relationships among its various parts. The aim of these two books, without diluting the substance, is to achieve a desired unity.

Polymeric Liquids and Networks emphasizes fundamental principles and a molecular viewpoint. The conceptual basis of theories underlying each topical area is explained with derivations sometimes outlined briefly and sometimes given in detail. Technical terminology is kept to a minimum necessary for coherent presentation. The goal of the text is to provide an informed understanding rather than detailed technical proficiency. Theory, experiment, and simulation are woven together as appropriate for achieving a balanced view. The books are designed to serve academic and industrial needs, consolidating the understanding of topics with both practical and fundamental significance, and written from a technical but non-specialized perspective.

The books deal mainly with non-polar and weakly polar species and largely with results derived from experiments on structurally well-defined systems. The objective is not to ignore the more complex systems, which are pervasive in both nature and industry and important in their own right. Much space is devoted to structural distributions, their characterization and their effect on properties. It is rather to provide a framework for better understanding of all polymeric liquids by identifying, in the simplest possible circumstances, the universal attributes of a chain-like and flexible molecular structure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The attractive feature of Polymeric Liquids and Networks is that it starts from an elementary viewpoint emphasizing molecular chemical structure. Graessley then integrates this chemistry-dominated description with one that focuses on the universal properties of polymers.... ...Organized as a field guide to polymer science... The text is a wealth of information on the more technical matters of characterizing the structure and interactions of polymer solutions and understanding the miscibility of polymer blends in terms of polymer structural properties and measures of interpolymer interaction. ...A valuable resource for newcomers who are trying to understand essential concepts of polymer science, learn some history of the field, and find direction for further reading."
-- Physics Today

From the Publisher

Polymeric Liquids and Networks: Structure and Properties is the first book of two by William W. Graessley that presents a unified view of flexible-chain polymer liquids and networks. The topics of both volumes range from equilibrium properties to dynamic response, finite deformation behavior and non-Newtonian flow. These various aspects of the field were developed over the past 70 years by researchers from many academic disciplines. The infusion of fresh viewpoints continually invigorated and enriched the field, making polymeric liquids and networks a truly interdisciplinary subject. The lack of a common terminology and perspective, however, has led to compartmentalization, making it difficult for a newcomer, even one technically trained, to gain a broad appreciation of the field and to see the relationships among its various parts. The aim of these two books, without diluting the substance, is to achieve a desired unity.

Polymeric Liquids and Networks emphasizes fundamental principles and a molecular viewpoint. The conceptual basis of theories underlying each topical area is explained with derivations sometimes outlined briefly and sometimes given in detail. Technical terminology is kept to a minimum necessary for coherent presentation. The goal of the text is to provide an informed understanding rather than detailed technical proficiency. Theory, experiment, and simulation are woven together as appropriate for achieving a balanced view. The books are designed to serve academic and industrial needs, consolidating the understanding of topics with both practical and fundamental significance, and written from a technical but non-specialized perspective.

The books deal mainly with non-polar and weakly polar species and largely with results derived from experiments on structurally well-defined systems. The object is not to ignore the more complex systems, which are pervasive in both nature and industry and important in their own right. Much space is devoted to structural distributions, their characterization and their effect on properties. It is rather to provide a framework for better understanding of all polymeric liquids by identifying, in the simplest possible circumstances, the universal attributes of a chain-like and flexible molecular structure.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Garland Science; 1 edition (November 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815341695
• ISBN-13: 978-0815341697
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Polymer scientists must have both volumes, December 5, 2011

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Play all winter "Play all winter!!" (Findlay, OH) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Polymeric Liquids & Networks: Dynamics and Rheology (Hardcover)

I am surprised to be the first person to review this book. Actually, please consider this a review of both volumes: 1) Structure and Properties, and 2) Dynamics and Rheology. I will not write chapter titles in this review since one can easily find these at the publisher's website (Garland Science). Let me summarize by saying that the books reflect Dr. Graessley's habit of being a pragmatic, grounded scientist. Theories are explained not only thoroughly, but thoughtfully, and with skepticism and proper bounds on the usefulness when warranted. A theory is rarely, if ever, presented without a healthy comparison to experimental data; there is more experimental data per lesson in these companion volumes than in any other polymer science text of which I am aware. In the 1300 or so pages of these two volumes, the reader will find a methodical trip through years of polymer physics, leading up to the current time. After 20 years of going to other (great) polymer science books first when I have a question, these texts have now become my go-to source.