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The condensed chemical dictionary
BOOK REVIEWS
316 makes no attempt to do more than provide information on corrosion rates, but this it does comprehensively and will be of that much use to those concerned with the use of zinc materials for handling chemicals and for other industrial processes. Copies of the book may be obtained free on request from the Zinc Development Association, 34 Berkeley Square, London, WlX 6AJ. D. C. F.
The Condensed Chemical Dictionary (eighth edition). Revised by Gessner C. Hawley, Van Nostrand/ Reinhold, London, 197 1. xiii t 97 I pp.; price 213.75. This new and expanded edition of a well-known chemical dictionary now contains, according to the blurb, the most up-to-date developments in every aspect of applied chemistry. Despite this obvious hyperbole and despite the omission of British or even European information, this is still a remarkable collection of alphabetical entries on chemicals, materials, their grades, availability, safety and transport. It bridges the gap between the scientific textbook or handbook and the manufacturer’s catalogue and is the kind of publication in which you find what you are looking for when you are about to give up in despair, having searched through the former. Get your Company to buy it because it is much too expensive for the individual to afford. D. C. F.
Properties of Polymers. By D. W. Van Krevelen, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1972. xi f 427 pp.; price $27.25. As the author says in his preface and introduction, this book is intended for those who are called upon to deal with the practical problems of evaluating and correlating the properties of polymers. The book contains six parts which are sub-divided into a total of 23 chapters and 4 appendices. The first
Chem. Eng. J., 3 (1972)
part of the book introduces the concepts of polymer structures (from a molecular viewpoint) and presents a rational approach to the meaning of physical properties. In parts II to IV of the book, the various physical properties of polymers are discussed in a systematic manner. Part V deals with physical and chemical changes m polymers. At the beginning of each section the author outlines the basic meaning of the property which is to be dealt with. He then presents the definitions and equations which are concerned with the property. Although these equations are usually presented without any proof or theoretical interpretation (in accordance with the author’s stated policy) they are set out clearly. A comprehensive bibliography is provided at the end of each chapter; this enables the reader to locate the origin of the equations and to refer to theoretical discussions which are published elsewhere. After giving these equations the author then describes ways in which they can be used for correlating experimental data. The emphasis of the book is placed largely on the use of empirical methods for predicting polymer properties. By referring to the chemical constitution of the polymers the author shows how “group contribution” methods can be used to estimate numerical values of many physical properties. A number of worked examples are provided to illustrate the use of these methods and a large amount of tabulated data is supplied for use on the calculations. In part V these estimation techniques are extended to cover various chemical changes that occur in polyrnerisation. Part VI discusses correlations that can be made between the methods used in the previous sections. This book will be of much use to those who need to estimate polymer properties in situations where experimental data are not available. The descriptions and presentation are clear and all the irnportant symbols and units are carefully defined. Although the price of this book is somewhat high it is still a good buy for those who are concerned with the industrial manufacture and processing of polymers. B. W. Brooks
316 makes no attempt to do more than provide information on corrosion rates, but this it does comprehensively and will be of that much use to those concerned with the use of zinc materials for handling chemicals and for other industrial processes. Copies of the book may be obtained free on request from the Zinc Development Association, 34 Berkeley Square, London, WlX 6AJ. D. C. F.
The Condensed Chemical Dictionary (eighth edition). Revised by Gessner C. Hawley, Van Nostrand/ Reinhold, London, 197 1. xiii t 97 I pp.; price 213.75. This new and expanded edition of a well-known chemical dictionary now contains, according to the blurb, the most up-to-date developments in every aspect of applied chemistry. Despite this obvious hyperbole and despite the omission of British or even European information, this is still a remarkable collection of alphabetical entries on chemicals, materials, their grades, availability, safety and transport. It bridges the gap between the scientific textbook or handbook and the manufacturer’s catalogue and is the kind of publication in which you find what you are looking for when you are about to give up in despair, having searched through the former. Get your Company to buy it because it is much too expensive for the individual to afford. D. C. F.
Properties of Polymers. By D. W. Van Krevelen, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1972. xi f 427 pp.; price $27.25. As the author says in his preface and introduction, this book is intended for those who are called upon to deal with the practical problems of evaluating and correlating the properties of polymers. The book contains six parts which are sub-divided into a total of 23 chapters and 4 appendices. The first
Chem. Eng. J., 3 (1972)
part of the book introduces the concepts of polymer structures (from a molecular viewpoint) and presents a rational approach to the meaning of physical properties. In parts II to IV of the book, the various physical properties of polymers are discussed in a systematic manner. Part V deals with physical and chemical changes m polymers. At the beginning of each section the author outlines the basic meaning of the property which is to be dealt with. He then presents the definitions and equations which are concerned with the property. Although these equations are usually presented without any proof or theoretical interpretation (in accordance with the author’s stated policy) they are set out clearly. A comprehensive bibliography is provided at the end of each chapter; this enables the reader to locate the origin of the equations and to refer to theoretical discussions which are published elsewhere. After giving these equations the author then describes ways in which they can be used for correlating experimental data. The emphasis of the book is placed largely on the use of empirical methods for predicting polymer properties. By referring to the chemical constitution of the polymers the author shows how “group contribution” methods can be used to estimate numerical values of many physical properties. A number of worked examples are provided to illustrate the use of these methods and a large amount of tabulated data is supplied for use on the calculations. In part V these estimation techniques are extended to cover various chemical changes that occur in polyrnerisation. Part VI discusses correlations that can be made between the methods used in the previous sections. This book will be of much use to those who need to estimate polymer properties in situations where experimental data are not available. The descriptions and presentation are clear and all the irnportant symbols and units are carefully defined. Although the price of this book is somewhat high it is still a good buy for those who are concerned with the industrial manufacture and processing of polymers. B. W. Brooks