The brief explains in simple terms the essentials of polymer chemistry and how polymers came to be discovered by pioneers in this field. It relates the many uses of polymers, including those not widely recognised by the lay person. The chemistry of polymerisation and the influence of chemical structure and additives on properties are described. Ethical issues are considered, especially in the context of huge tonnages of plastics. Finally short paragraphs on more than 30 common polymers are listed chronologically with chemical structures, properties and applications. It will appeal to those with connections to or within the plastics, rubber and textile industries, science students, members of other science disciplines using polymers, as well as people just curious to know about everyday plastics.

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Reviews

“This book represents an essential source of information, with many examples of the most widely used and important type of materials today, the polymers, for the reader to appreciate and understand their essential role in everyday life. Thus, the book is a very useful tool for students and scientists from different disciplines, as well as for lay readers interested in the interdisciplinary field of materials science.” (Bogdan Marian Tofanica, Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, Vol. 53 (1-2), 2019)

Authors and Affiliations

Norwich, United Kingdom

Jim Massy

About the author

Derek James Rowland (aka Jim) Massy worked mainly in industrial polymer research, with an emphasis on surface coatings and textile chemicals. Following an uninvited early retirement, he studied further at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and gained a PhD in 1986. Thereafter he spent his time doing organic synthesis of varied types in pharmaceutical research and at the UEA until a more normal retirement age beckoned.

Bibliographic Information

Book Title: A Little Book about BIG Chemistry
Book Subtitle: The Story of Man-Made Polymers
Authors: Jim Massy
Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Materials
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54831-9
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemistry and Material Science (R0)
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-54830-2Published: 22 May 2017
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-54831-9Published: 14 May 2017
Series ISSN: 2192-1091
Series E-ISSN: 2192-1105
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XX, 82
Number of Illustrations: 16 b/w illustrations, 48 illustrations in colour
Topics: Polymer Sciences, Structural Materials, History of Chemistry, Ceramics, Glass, Composites, Natural Materials, Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Textile Engineering

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

Front Matter

Back Matter

About this book