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Polymer technology dictionary
Reactive polymers ELSEVIER
Reactive Polymers 23 (1994) 261-262
Book Reviews Polymers to the Year 2000 and Beyond."A Memorial Symposium for Herman E Marks edited by S.M. Atlas, E.M. Pearce and ER. Eirich. J. Wiley and Sons, New York, 1993, 233 pp., ISBN 0471-00813-3; £62.00. This text is a hardbound copy ofJ. Polym. Sci., Polym. Symposia No. 75 published as a special issue in memory of Herman Mark, the editors being faculty members of the Polymer Research Institute, Polytechnic University Brooklyn, which is, of course, synonymous with Mark's name. The first part of the book, pages 1-181, constitutes the symposium scientific contributions from 14 scientists who at some time in their careers were associated with Mark. The second part of the book, pages 181-237, describes the "Personal Recollections of Dr. Herman F. Mark" from 15 scientists, a few who contributed also in the scientific section and others who again have had close personal connections with Mark. The scientific chapters are in general small review works covering topics as diverse as "Cellulose, a Timeless Polymer" to "Nanomacromolecular Chemistry", and deviating from polymer chemistry to cover subjects such as "The Polymer Industry Beyond the Year 2000" and "Gazing in the Polymer Crystal Ball". It is difficult to put a value on the technical content as a whole, because in general the treatment is broad and superficial. Nevertheless, it is also forward looking, and to bring valued comments from so many leading scientists into such a small volume has got to result in a text worthy of consultation. Perhaps the greatest value of all, however, is the sometimes implicit fact, and sometimes the stated reality, that Mark in some way initiated much of the science described in the book, either
in his own laboratory, or via those scientists who worked with him and who have subsequently gone on to develop the ideas further. The "Personal Recollections of Dr. Herman E Mark" are in some ways a history of the man through the eyes of those upon whom he impinged most significantly during his distinguished career. This part of the book will mean most to the wider scientific audience who also new Mark personally, but perhaps not so closely. To polymer scientists of my generation, and younger, it will be a useful but remote account of a man whose influence on Polymer Science is difficult to put into words. While it is perhaps not appropriate to recommend that those who did know Mark should acquire a copy of this text for their own collection, it is, however, important that all libraries with a portfolio of polymer science publications should acquire a copy. This will then offer an opportunity for all serious students and practitioners of polymer science to read and learn about one of this founder fathers. D.C. Sherrington (Glasgow, Scotland)
Polymer Technology Dictionary by T. Whelan. Chapman and Hall, London, 1994, viii + 555 pp., ISBN 0-412-581180-9; £85.00. This is a complementary volume to Mark Alger's "Polymer Science Dictionary". It is intended to provide an explanation of terms etc. of relevance to those involved in polymer technology and particularly for those likely to use or to have contact with adhesives, coatings, fibres, paints, plastics and rubbers. The tormat is an alphabetical dictionary, with short explanations of terms given when necessary, rather than short
0923-1137/94/$07.00 © 1994 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
262
Book Reviews / Reactive Polymers 23 (1994) 261-262
definitions. The coverage is extremely broad and extends from chemistry terms (monomers, polymers, initiators, solvents, etc.) through characterisation terms (molecular weight averages etc.), physical characterisation and property measurements terms (viscosity, dielectrics, etc.) processing terms (injection moulding, spray drying, etc.) and includes natural based and synthetic polymer species. Having said this, however, it is difficult to see that the text has sufficient value to be acquired by individuals. It is essentially a text to be lodged in the reference section of a library, or in reference collection of an industrial group or company. More elaborate information of most of the terms are of course available in text books dealing in more detail with particular aspects of polymer technology and inevitably this is the source to be tapped for greater insight. However, as a first stop for clarification of a term, for example to assess if more research is necessary, this dictionary undoubtedly has a useful role to play. I would recommend that major libraries and companies active in polymer technology should acquire a copy for rapid reference. D.C. Sherrington (Glasgow, Scotland)
Polymer Rheology: Theory & Practice by Yuri G. Yanovsky. Chapman & Hall, London, 1993, xi + 298 pp., ISBN 0-412-53460-6; £69.00. Russian rheology, probably as a result of the now defunct Cold War, has taken a slightly different approach to the subject from that followed in the rest of the world. This is implicit in the author's statement that while the book deals with " . . . modern approaches to the theoretical, model and experimental descriptions of the viscoelastic behaviour of individual polymers, blends of polymers and copolymers, and filled compositions, and also to problems of the relation between the rheological, physiomechanical, and stress-strain properties. They are discussed in particular, with a view to the achievements of Russian scientists during the last few years." The concentration on this rather different ap-
proach has benefits and disadvantages for the reader. The main benefit is the detailing of a considerable body of theological research not easily accessed before. For example, in Chapter 1 the section on viscoelasticity of unfilled polymers largely deals with the work of Pokrovsky and Volkov and adopts an approach to molecular dynamics somewhat different to that found in the well known reptation model. A further interesting feature of his approach to rheology is that the author makes no clear distinction between the deformation behaviour of polymers on the fluid and in the solid state. Careful reading is required to avoid confusion on this point. One disadvantage is that the author reveals an ignorance of some recent notable advances in the West, particulary in the area of extensional flow. As far as content is concerned the five chapters deal with, (i) modern theoretical approaches to and with analytical and numerical simulation of, viscoelastic characteristics of polymer systems, (ii) deformation and relaxation over broad ranges of temperature and rate, (iii) viscoelastic properties of polymer blends and of (iv) copolymers, and, finally, (v) filled polymers. Polymer scientists will find the book hard going. It certainly could not be recommended to anyone new to rheology, especially since some of the terms used, such as "circular frequency", will not be found in texts written in the West. The mathematical equations require frequent resort to the original papers (where available). However, it must be said that the effort in unravelling the text and equations will be well worth the trouble. The author helps by explaining in physical terms the meaning of the different parts of the more complicated viscoelasticity equations. The book is well presented and graphs are clearly set out although there is some variation in format. The slightly eccentric English can be forgiven, especially in view of the freshness of approach. The book can certainly be recommended, even at a price of £69.00. J. Ferguson (Glasgow, Scotland)
Reactive Polymers 23 (1994) 261-262
Book Reviews Polymers to the Year 2000 and Beyond."A Memorial Symposium for Herman E Marks edited by S.M. Atlas, E.M. Pearce and ER. Eirich. J. Wiley and Sons, New York, 1993, 233 pp., ISBN 0471-00813-3; £62.00. This text is a hardbound copy ofJ. Polym. Sci., Polym. Symposia No. 75 published as a special issue in memory of Herman Mark, the editors being faculty members of the Polymer Research Institute, Polytechnic University Brooklyn, which is, of course, synonymous with Mark's name. The first part of the book, pages 1-181, constitutes the symposium scientific contributions from 14 scientists who at some time in their careers were associated with Mark. The second part of the book, pages 181-237, describes the "Personal Recollections of Dr. Herman F. Mark" from 15 scientists, a few who contributed also in the scientific section and others who again have had close personal connections with Mark. The scientific chapters are in general small review works covering topics as diverse as "Cellulose, a Timeless Polymer" to "Nanomacromolecular Chemistry", and deviating from polymer chemistry to cover subjects such as "The Polymer Industry Beyond the Year 2000" and "Gazing in the Polymer Crystal Ball". It is difficult to put a value on the technical content as a whole, because in general the treatment is broad and superficial. Nevertheless, it is also forward looking, and to bring valued comments from so many leading scientists into such a small volume has got to result in a text worthy of consultation. Perhaps the greatest value of all, however, is the sometimes implicit fact, and sometimes the stated reality, that Mark in some way initiated much of the science described in the book, either
in his own laboratory, or via those scientists who worked with him and who have subsequently gone on to develop the ideas further. The "Personal Recollections of Dr. Herman E Mark" are in some ways a history of the man through the eyes of those upon whom he impinged most significantly during his distinguished career. This part of the book will mean most to the wider scientific audience who also new Mark personally, but perhaps not so closely. To polymer scientists of my generation, and younger, it will be a useful but remote account of a man whose influence on Polymer Science is difficult to put into words. While it is perhaps not appropriate to recommend that those who did know Mark should acquire a copy of this text for their own collection, it is, however, important that all libraries with a portfolio of polymer science publications should acquire a copy. This will then offer an opportunity for all serious students and practitioners of polymer science to read and learn about one of this founder fathers. D.C. Sherrington (Glasgow, Scotland)
Polymer Technology Dictionary by T. Whelan. Chapman and Hall, London, 1994, viii + 555 pp., ISBN 0-412-581180-9; £85.00. This is a complementary volume to Mark Alger's "Polymer Science Dictionary". It is intended to provide an explanation of terms etc. of relevance to those involved in polymer technology and particularly for those likely to use or to have contact with adhesives, coatings, fibres, paints, plastics and rubbers. The tormat is an alphabetical dictionary, with short explanations of terms given when necessary, rather than short
0923-1137/94/$07.00 © 1994 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
262
Book Reviews / Reactive Polymers 23 (1994) 261-262
definitions. The coverage is extremely broad and extends from chemistry terms (monomers, polymers, initiators, solvents, etc.) through characterisation terms (molecular weight averages etc.), physical characterisation and property measurements terms (viscosity, dielectrics, etc.) processing terms (injection moulding, spray drying, etc.) and includes natural based and synthetic polymer species. Having said this, however, it is difficult to see that the text has sufficient value to be acquired by individuals. It is essentially a text to be lodged in the reference section of a library, or in reference collection of an industrial group or company. More elaborate information of most of the terms are of course available in text books dealing in more detail with particular aspects of polymer technology and inevitably this is the source to be tapped for greater insight. However, as a first stop for clarification of a term, for example to assess if more research is necessary, this dictionary undoubtedly has a useful role to play. I would recommend that major libraries and companies active in polymer technology should acquire a copy for rapid reference. D.C. Sherrington (Glasgow, Scotland)
Polymer Rheology: Theory & Practice by Yuri G. Yanovsky. Chapman & Hall, London, 1993, xi + 298 pp., ISBN 0-412-53460-6; £69.00. Russian rheology, probably as a result of the now defunct Cold War, has taken a slightly different approach to the subject from that followed in the rest of the world. This is implicit in the author's statement that while the book deals with " . . . modern approaches to the theoretical, model and experimental descriptions of the viscoelastic behaviour of individual polymers, blends of polymers and copolymers, and filled compositions, and also to problems of the relation between the rheological, physiomechanical, and stress-strain properties. They are discussed in particular, with a view to the achievements of Russian scientists during the last few years." The concentration on this rather different ap-
proach has benefits and disadvantages for the reader. The main benefit is the detailing of a considerable body of theological research not easily accessed before. For example, in Chapter 1 the section on viscoelasticity of unfilled polymers largely deals with the work of Pokrovsky and Volkov and adopts an approach to molecular dynamics somewhat different to that found in the well known reptation model. A further interesting feature of his approach to rheology is that the author makes no clear distinction between the deformation behaviour of polymers on the fluid and in the solid state. Careful reading is required to avoid confusion on this point. One disadvantage is that the author reveals an ignorance of some recent notable advances in the West, particulary in the area of extensional flow. As far as content is concerned the five chapters deal with, (i) modern theoretical approaches to and with analytical and numerical simulation of, viscoelastic characteristics of polymer systems, (ii) deformation and relaxation over broad ranges of temperature and rate, (iii) viscoelastic properties of polymer blends and of (iv) copolymers, and, finally, (v) filled polymers. Polymer scientists will find the book hard going. It certainly could not be recommended to anyone new to rheology, especially since some of the terms used, such as "circular frequency", will not be found in texts written in the West. The mathematical equations require frequent resort to the original papers (where available). However, it must be said that the effort in unravelling the text and equations will be well worth the trouble. The author helps by explaining in physical terms the meaning of the different parts of the more complicated viscoelasticity equations. The book is well presented and graphs are clearly set out although there is some variation in format. The slightly eccentric English can be forgiven, especially in view of the freshness of approach. The book can certainly be recommended, even at a price of £69.00. J. Ferguson (Glasgow, Scotland)