New technologies demand new materials. Polymer composites, with their wide range of possible fillers and polymers, open the way to an enormous range of materials with differing chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. The ultimate goal of polymer composite research is to formulate procedures that will lead to the design of composites with preset, i.e. specified, properties. Based on many years' experience in the field, the authors prepare the way towards just such a design procedure. The key element is the analysis and classification of the state of the filler-polymer interfaces from the point of view of their acid-base adsorption interactions. These interfacial phenomena play a pivotal role in determining overall properties of the composite: its rheological behaviour, its structural properties, catalytic effects in polymerization and polycondensation, and other technological characteristics. The book discusses and evaluates the extensive previous research scattered throughout the literature in Eastern Europe and the West, presents numerous experimental studies, and sets new benchmarks for the analysis of polymer composites. The book is required for researchers wanting to keep abreast of the progress in the burgeoning fields of polymer analysis and design.

New technologies demand new materials. Polymer composites, with their wide range of possible fillers and polymers, open the way to an enormous range of materials with differing chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. The ultimate goal of polymer composite research is to formulate procedures that will lead to the design of composites with preset, i.e. specified, properties. Based on many years' experience in the field, the authors prepare the way towards just such a design procedure. The key element is the analysis and classification of the state of the filler-polymer interfaces from the point of view of their acid-base adsorption interactions. These interfacial phenomena play a pivotal role in determining overall properties of the composite: its rheological behaviour, its structural properties, catalytic effects in polymerization and polycondensation, and other technological characteristics. The book discusses and evaluates the extensive previous research scattered throughout the literature in Eastern Europe and the West, presents numerous experimental studies, and sets new benchmarks for the analysis of polymer composites. The book is required for researchers wanting to keep abreast of the progress in the burgeoning fields of polymer analysis and design.

New technologies demand new materials. Polymer composites, with their wide range of possible fillers and polymers, open the way to an enormous range of materials with differing chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. The ultimate goal of polymer composite research is to formulate procedures that will lead to the design of composites with preset, i.e. specified, properties. Based on many years' experience in the field, the authors prepare the way towards just such a design procedure. The key element is the analysis and classification of the state of the filler-polymer interfaces from the point of view of their acid-base adsorption interactions. These interfacial phenomena play a pivotal role in determining overall properties of the composite: its rheological behaviour, its structural properties, catalytic effects in polymerization and polycondensation, and other technological characteristics. The book discusses and evaluates the extensive previous research scattered throughout the literature in Eastern Europe and the West, presents numerous experimental studies, and sets new benchmarks for the analysis of polymer composites. The book is required for researchers wanting to keep abreast of the progress in the burgeoning fields of polymer analysis and design.

Interfacial Phenomena in Composite Materials '91 is a collection of papers dealing with the science of composite interfaces, with emphasis on theoretical modeling, test methods, and characterization methods of polymer matrix, metal, or ceramic matrix composites. One paper reviews the micromechanical test methods used in evaluating mechanical properties of fiber-matrix interface. Another paper shows that the critical fiber length cannot always be considered a material constant in the framework of load transfer models based on the shear lag theory. Microwave plasma treatment is a quick technology to change fiber surface structure as the oxidation or the roughening of the fiber increases fiber-matrix adhesion. Another paper evaluates the effect of improved adhesion on mechanical performance under static, dynamic, and impact conditions. It also examines the role of fiber anisotropy on the performance of high performance polyethylene/epoxy composites. By using the Laser Raman Spectroscopy, the investigator can analyze the effects of the fiber surface treatment, the fiber modulus, the curing temperature on the Shear strength, and the fracture mechanics of the interface. The collection can be read profitably by chemists, biochemists, and academicians involved in material compound research.

Polymer composites represent materials of great and of continuously growing importance. Their potential for application appears to be limitless. They have been the subject of numerous studies both at academic and industrial levels. Much progress has been made in the incisive formulation of composites; sophisticated methods of property evaluation have been developed in the past decade and many, largely empirical solutions have been proposed to resolve the problem of their long-term performance under typical conditions of use (i. e. the use of silane or titane coupling agents to enhance adhesion within composite materials). Assuredly one of the most essential factors in the performance of these systems is the condition of the interface and interphase among the constituents of a given system. It has become clear that it is the interface/interphase, and the interactions which take place in this part of a system, which determine to a significant degree the initial properties of the material. In order to achieve leadership in the formulation and application of polymer composites, it is evident that in depth understanding of interfacial and interphase phenomena becomes a prerequisite.

This book is the first to deal with the important topic of the fire behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer composite materials. The book covers all of the key issues on the behaviour of composites in a fire. Also covered are fire protection materials for composites, fire properties of nanocomposites, fire safety regulations and standards, fire test methods, and health hazards from burning composites.

Interfaces in Particle and Fibre-Reinforced Composites: From Macro- to Nanoscale addresses recent research findings on the particle-matrix interface at different length scales. The book's main focus is on the reinforcement of materials by particles that can result in a composite material of high stiffness and strength, but it also focuses on how the particle interacts with the (matrix) material, which may be a polymer, biological-based material, ceramic or conventional metal. The different types of particle reinforced composites are discussed, as is load transfer at the particle-matrix interface. Readers will learn how to select materials and about particle structure. Significant progress has been made in applying these approaches, thus making this book a timely piece on recent research findings on the particle-matrix interface at different length scales. Features wide coverage, from polymer, to ceramics and metal-based particulate composites Structured in a logical order to cover fundamental studies, computer simulations, experimental techniques and characterization