This is the second edition of Melt Rheology and its Role in Plastics
Processing, although the title has changed to reflect its broadened
scope. Advances in the recent years in rheometer technology and polymer
science have greatly enhanced the usefulness of rheology in the plastics
industry. It is now possible to design polymers having specific
molecular structures and to predict the flow properties of melts having
those structures. In addition, rheological properties now provide more
precise information about molecular structure.
This book provides all the information that is needed for the
intelligent application of rheology in the development of new polymers,
the determination of molecular structure and the correlation of
processability with laboratory test data. Theory and equations are
limited to what is essential for the use of rheology in the
characterization of polymers, the development of new plastics materials
and the prediction of plastics processing behavior. The emphasis is on
information that will be of direct use to practitioners. Extensive
references are provided for those wishing to pursue certain issues in
greater depth.
While the primary audience is applied polymer scientists and plastics
engineers, the book will also be of use to postgraduate students in
polymer science and engineering and as a text for a graduate course.