Specialty Polymers

They take many forms which include plastic mouldings and extrusions, plastic film and sheet, plastic laminates (fibreglass and formica), rubber gloves, hoses, tyres and sealing rings, fibres for textiles and carpets and so on, cellular products for cushioning and thermal insulation, adhesives and coating materials such as paints and varnishes. A great deal of research and development work is carried out with the aim of preparing new polymer systems to meet the varied demands of a range of industrial and commercial applications. Since the first edition there have been significant advances, resulting in improvements in existing polymer systems and new classes of polymers for new applications. In this new edition, each chapter has been carefully revised as appropriate and new chapters have been added to provide an introductory text covering this group of special polymers. For each polymer system, a brief description of structure is followed by a more detailed consideration of properties and applications.