Mathematical Modelling for Polymer Processing

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XIV

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2. Polymerization

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Mathematical Models for Polymerization Processes of Ziegler-Natta Type

      • Antonio Fasano

      Pages 3-28

3. Nucleation

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 29-29

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   2. Classical Kinetic Theory of Nucleation and Coarsening

      • J. C. Neu, Luis L. Bonilla

      Pages 31-58

   3. Multidimensional Theory of Crystal Nucleation

      • Andrzej Ziabicki

      Pages 59-117

   4. Kinetic Theory of Nucleation In Polymers

      • D. Reguera, J. M. Rubí, L. L. Bonilla

      Pages 119-163

4. Crystallization

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 165-165

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   2. Mathematical Models for Polymer Crystallization Processes

      • Vincenzo Capasso, Martin Burger, Alessandra Micheletti, Claudia Salani

      Pages 167-242

   3. Polymer Crystallization Processes via Many Particle Systems

      • Vincenzo Capasso, Daniela Morale, Claudia Salani

      Pages 243-259

5. Manufacturing

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 261-261

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   2. Modelling of Industrial Processes for Polymer Melts: Extrusion and Injection Moulding

      • Alfons A. F. van de Ven

      Pages 263-309

6. Back Matter

   Pages 311-320

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Polymers are substances made of macromolecules formed by thousands of atoms organized in one (homopolymers) or more (copolymers) groups that repeat themselves to form linear or branched chains, or lattice structures. The concept of polymer traces back to the years 1920's and is one of the most significant ideas of last century. It has given great impulse to indus­ try but also to fundamental research, including life sciences. Macromolecules are made of sm all molecules known as monomers. The process that brings monomers into polymers is known as polymerization. A fundamental contri­ bution to the industrial production of polymers, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, is due to the Nobel prize winners Giulio Natta and Karl Ziegler. The ideas of Ziegler and Natta date back to 1954, and the process has been improved continuously over the years, particularly concerning the design and shaping of the catalysts. Chapter 1 (due to A. Fasano ) is devoted to a review of some results concerning the modelling of the Ziegler- Natta polymerization. The specific ex am pie is the production of polypropilene. The process is extremely complex and all studies with relevant mathematical contents are fairly recent, and several problems are still open.

• Extrusion
• color
• crystal
• crystallization
• mathematics
• polymer
• polymers
• stochastics
• partial differential equations

From the reviews:

"This book is a monograph in Springer’s Mathematics in Industry series … . It is a merit of the book that it can be read without much knowledge of the application area as such, but at the same time contains very useful analyses for researchers … . it is certainly very well suited for a first encounter with a variety of mathematical modeling aspects … . I can also recommend it for modeling classes at the graduate level, as well as to authors … ." (Robert M. M. Mattheij, SIAM Review, Vol. 46 (1), 2004)

"This book provides the first unified presentation of the mathematical modelling of polymerisation, crystallisation and extrusion of polymer melts, by means of advanced methods, presented in an accessible way for applied scientists and engineers. The present volume is the result of a long-term co-operation between different polymer research terms in Europe." (Materials World, Vol. 11 (5), 2003)

• MIRIAM - Milan Research Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics and Department of Mathematics, University of Milano, Milano, Italy

  Vincenzo Capasso

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