Physical Properties and Physical Chemistry of Polymers

Abstract

For a very large proportion of polymeric materials in commercial use, mechanical properties are of paramount importance, because they are used as structural materials, fibers, or coatings and these properties determine their usefulness. Properties that also determine their utilization are compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, and impact resistance. Hardness, tear, and abrasion resistance are also of concern. In addition, polymers may be shaped by extrusion in molten state into molds or by deposition from solutions on various surfaces. This makes the flow behaviors in the molten state or in solution, the melting temperatures, the amount of crystallization, as well as solubility parameters important.