Polymer Dynamics and Relaxation

Thisbook was first published in 2007. Polymers exhibit a range ofphysical characteristics, from rubber-like elasticity to the glassystate. These particular properties are controlled at the molecularlevel by the mobility of the structural constituents. Remarkablechanges in mobility can be witnessed with temperature, over narrow,well defined regions, termed relaxation processes. This is animportant, unique phenomenon controlling polymer transition behaviourand is described here at an introductory level. The important typesof relaxation processes from amorphous to crystalline polymers andpolymeric miscible blends are covered, in conjunction with the broadspectrum of experimental methods used to study them in 2007. In-depthdiscussion of molecular level interpretation, including atomisticlevel computer simulations and applications to molecular mechanismelucidation, are discussed. The result is a self-contained approachto polymeric interpretation suitable for researchers in materialsscience, physics and chemistry interested in the relaxation processesof polymeric systems