Microhardness of Polymers

This book deals with the micro-mechanical characterisation of polymer materials. It emphasises micro-hardness as a technique capable of detecting a variety of morphological and textural changes in polymers. The authors provide a comprehensive introduction to the Micro-Hardness of Polymers, including descriptions of the various testing methods in materials science and engineering.

They also discuss the micro-mechanical study of glassy polymers and the relevant aspects of micro hardness of semi-crystalline polymers. Numerous application examples of the micro-hardness technique for the characterisation of polymeric materials help readers develop a solid understanding of the material. These real world examples include the influence of polymer processing, the use in weathering tests, the characterisation of modified polymer surfaces, and others.

This book will be of use to graduate level materials science students, as well as research workers in materials science, mechanical engineering and physics departments interested in the micro-indentation hardness of polymer materials.

About the Authors

Born in 1936, Prof. Balta Calleja was educated in Spain where he obtained his first degree in Physics at the University of Madrid. In 1958 he started his research work at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris on pioneering NMR studies of organic liquids relating to intermolecular effects.

Born in 1936, Prof. Fakirov was educated in Bulgaria where he obtained his first degree in Chemistry at the University of Sofia in 1959. In 1960 he was appointed Assistant Professor at the same University. In 1962 he moved to the Lomonosov State University, Moscow, obtaining his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry in 1966.