Physical Properties of Polymers (Polymer Science and Engineering Monographs)

Among the thousands of synthesized polymers, new polymeric substances and materials with new, often unusual, properties arise frequently. This presents a problem in determining the physical properties of polymers and thus makes it difficult to tackle the question of the synthesis of polymers with desired properties. The author has approached this problem in a semi-empirical manner, which like van Krevelen's empirical method is based on the principle of increment and deriving calculations from it, but in Askadskii's approach each equation for the calculation of properties is physically based, and its parameters are connected with characteristics of atoms (Van-der-Waals volume, dispersionic interaction) which compose the reoccurring unit of polymer, as well as with characteristics of energy of intermolecular interaction. Particular attention is paid to the relaxation properties of polymers, which determine the mechanical serviceability of materials.