Applied Polymer Rheology: Polymeric Fluids with Industrial Applications

Explore polymer rheology from an industrial standpoint Presenting state–of–the–art polymer rheology as observed by well–recognized authors, Applied Polymer Rheology: Polymeric Fluids with Industrial Applications is designed to help readers understand the relationship between molecular structure and the flow behavior of polymers. In particular, it focuses on polymeric systems that elicit special attention from industry. Providing a comprehensive overview of the rheological characteristics of polymeric fluids, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice/application, enabling readers to see the connection between molecular structure and the behavior of the polymers studied. Beginning with a discussion of the properties, processability, and processing aids of specific polymers, later chapters examine filled polymers and composites, and the theoretical framework upon which their analysis is based. Various systems containing microstructure are presented subsequently, with the final chapter introducing paste extrusion of polytetrafluoroethylene paste. An invaluable reference guide that covers the literature and vast array of technical approaches to polymer rheology, Applied Polymer Rheology’s coverage of polymeric fluids of interest to industry make it an essential resource for plastics, polymer, and chemical engineers, materials scientists, polymer chemists, and polymer physicists to use when interpreting findings and planning experiments.

Preface vii Contributors ix 1 Basic Concepts in Polymer Melt Rheology and Their Importance in Processing 1 2 Polymer Processing Additives for Melt Fracture Control 29 3 Branched Polyolefins 59 4 Structure and Rheology of Fiber Suspensions 113 5 Rheology and Processing of Polymer Nanocomposites 153 6 Rheology of Wood–Plastics Composites 179 7 Block Copolymers in External Fields: Rheology, Flow–Induced Phenomena, and Applications 209 8 Reactive Systems and Thermoplastic Vulcanizates 241 9 Structure and Rheology of Polymer Composites Containing Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymers 263 10 Electrorheological Fluids: Materials and Rheology 285 11 Rheology and Processing of Polytetrafluoroethylene Paste 303 Index 335

Marianna Kontopoulou, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her research interests include polyolefin blends and composites, polyolefin–based nanocomposites, thermoplastic vulcanizates, foaming of thermoplastics, processing of biodegradable polyesters, thermoplastic elastomers, and electrically conductive composites. She is also working on projects involving polymers and polymer rheology in biomedical applications and in polymer joining processes. In 2010, she received the Morand Lambla Award of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS). She has coauthored more than one hundred scientific publications, including peer–reviewed journal papers, refereed conference proceedings, and book chapters. She has delivered several keynote and invited lectures in academic and industrial settings. She has been the vice president of the Canadian Society of Rheology (CSR) and has served as technical program committee chair, organizer, and moderator for major international scientific conferences, as well as reviewer for many scientific journals and Canadian federal and provincial granting agencies.