Ian M. Ward - Böcker

The understanding of the structure and properties of polymers in the oriented state is an important requirement in the field of polymer science and technology. This volume provides the reader with a review of the present situation. Ten chapters cover a range of topics including structure and morphology, mechanical properties, characterization and experimental techniques. Each chapter provides an introduction to the subject as well as a topical review of recent research.

Providing an updated and comprehensive account of the properties of solid polymers, the book covers all aspects of mechanical behaviour.  This includes finite elastic behavior, linear viscoelasticity and mechanical relaxations, mechanical anisotropy, non-linear viscoelasicity, yield behavior and fracture. New to this edition is coverage of polymer nanocomposites, and molecular interpretations of yield, e.g. Bowden, Young, and Argon.The book begins by focusing on the structure of polymers, including their chemical composition and physical structure.  It goes on to discuss the mechanical properties and behaviour of polymers, the statistical molecular theories of the rubber-like state and describes aspects of linear viscoelastic behaviour, its measurement, and experimental studies.Later chapters cover composites and experimental behaviour, relaxation transitions, stress and yielding. The book concludes with a discussion of breaking phenomena.

The first edition was produced at a time when the advantages of studying oriented polymers were just becoming apparent. From a sci­ entific stand point it had been demonstrated that greater insight into both structure and properties could be obtained if an oriented polymer was prepared. From a technological viewpoint, major advances were under­ way, especially in high modulus and high strength fibres. Twenty years later, it is possible to review the scientific advances which have been made in this area and to provide much wider perspectives for the technology. As in the case of the first edition, the emphasis is on the methodologies available for characterizing oriented polymers and their mechanical behaviour. It is a particular pleasure to thank the contributing authors for their cooperation and Dr Philip Hastings of Chapman & Hall for his support and encouragement. I am also indebted to Professors A. H. Windle and D. C. Bassett for their respective contributions to sections 1. 3. 1 and 1. 3. 4. Although this chapter has been extensively revised, the contribution of the late Leslie Holliday to the first edition of this book is also acknowledged. Introduction 1 I. M. Ward 1. 1 THE PHENOMENON OF ORIENTATION Orientation in polymers is a phenomenon of great technical and theo­ retical importance. The word orientation itself conveys a number of ideas.

Advances in industrial technologies and improved performance of constructional materials are interdependent and have become of increasing concern in recent years. This Conference aimed to - provoke discussion of the limits towards which high temperature alloys properties can, ultimately, be developed, identify the resulting R&D requirements and design developments. Following a key-note paper concerning the relation of current capabilities to requirements for gas turbines the conference was structured into 3 sessions which examined: * the theoretical?ldpracticallimits for HT Alloys, * the potential for development in alloys and processing, * engineering considerations. Finally, feeling perhaps the approaching "wind of change"??1s Conference on remaining alloy potential was wound up with a paper entit1ed "The potential?ld problems ofEngineering Ceramics". The different sessions each included a number of invited papers followed by a series of posters and were concluded by a presentation of a "synthesis" by a sess10n rapporteur and general discussion. This structure is retained in the proceedings, including the discussion points in those cases where?le authors have provided written answers to questions raised.