Handbook of Polymers. By George Wypych, ChemTec Publishing, 2012; 680 Pages. Price $395.00, ISBN 978-1-895198-47-8

The following paragraphs are reproduced from the website of the publisher [1].

Polymers selected for this edition of the Handbook of Polymers include all major polymeric materials used by the plastics and other branches of the chemical industry as well as specialty polymers used in the electronics, pharmaceutical, medical, and space fields. Extensive information is included on biopolymers.

The data included in the Handbook of Polymers come from open literature (published articles, conference papers, and books), literature available from manufacturers of various grades of polymers, plastics, and finished products, and patent literature. The above sources were searched, including the most recent literature. It can be seen from the references that a large portion of the data comes from information published in 2011. This underscores one of the major goals of this undertaking, which is to provide readers with the most up-to-date information.

Frequently, data from different sources vary in a broad range and they have to be reconciled. In such cases, values closest to their average and values based on testing of the most current grades of materials are selected to provide readers with information which is characteristic of currently available products, focusing on the potential use of data in solving practical problems. In this process of verification many older data were rejected unless they have been confirmed by recently conducted studies.

Presentation of data for all polymers is based on a consistent pattern of data arrangement, although, depending on data availability, only data fields which contain actual values are included for each individual polymer. The entire scope of the data is divided into sections to make data comparison and search easy.

The data are organized into the following sections:

• General (Common name, IUPAC name, ACS name, Acronym, CAS number, EC number, RETECS number, Linear formula)
• History (Person to discover, Date, Details)
• Synthesis (Monomer(s) structure, Monomer(s) CAS number(s), Monomer(s) molecular weight(s), Monomer(s) expected purity(ies), Monomer ratio, Degree of substitution, Formulation example, Method of synthesis, Temperature of polymerization, Time of polymerization, Pressure of polymerization, Catalyst, Yield, Activation energy of polymerization, Free enthalpy of formation, Heat of polymerization, Initiation rate constant, Propagation rate constant, Termination rate constant, Chain transfer rate constant, Inhibition rate constant, Polymerization rate constant, Method of polymer separation, Typical impurities, Typical concentration of residual monomer, Number average molecular weight, Mn, Mass average molecular weight, Mw, Polydispersity, Mw/Mn, Polymerization degree, Molar volume at 298K, Molar volume at melting point, Van der Waals volume, Radius of gyration, End-to-end distance of unperturbed polymer chain, Degree of branching, Type of branching, Chain-end groups)
• Structure (Crystallinity, Crystalline structure, Cell type (lattice), Cell dimensions, Unit cell angles, Number of chains per unit cell, Crystallite size, Spacing between crystallites, Polymorphs, Tacticity, Cis content, Chain conformation, Entanglement molecular weight, Lamellae thickness, Heat of crystallization, Rapid crystallization temperature, Avrami constants, k/n)
• Commercial polymers (Some manufacturers, Trade names, Composition information)
• Physical properties (Density, Bulk density, Color, Refractive index, Birefringence, Molar polarizability, Transmittance, Haze, Gloss, Odor, Melting temperature, Softening point, Decomposition temperature, Fusion temperature, Thermal expansion coefficient, Thermal conductivity, Glass transition temperature, Specific heat capacity, Heat of fusion, Calorific value, Maximum service temperature, Long term service temperature, Temperature index (50% tensile strength loss after 20,000 h/5000 h), Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa, Heat deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa, Vicat temperature VST/A/50, Vicat temperature VST/B/50, Start of thermal degradation, Enthalpy, Acceptor number, Donor number, Hansen solubility parameters, dD, dP, dH, Molar volume, Hildebrand solubility parameter, Surface tension, Dielectric constant at 100 Hz/1 MHz, Dielectric loss factor at 1 kHz, Relative permittivity at 100 Hz, Relative permittivity at 1 MHz, Dissipation factor at 100 Hz, Dissipation factor at 1 MHz, Volume resistivity, Surface resistivity, Electric strength K20/P50, d=0.60.8 mm, Comparative tracking index, CTI, test liquid A, Comparative tracking index, CTIM, test liquid B, Arc resistance, Power factor, Coefficient of friction, Permeability to nitrogen, Permeability to oxygen, Permeability to water vapor, Diffusion coefficient of nitrogen, Diffusion coefficient of oxygen, Diffusion coefficient of water vapor, Contact angle of water, Surface free energy, Speed of sound, Acoustic impedance, Attenuation)
• Mechanical properties (Tensile strength, Tensile modulus, Tensile stress at yield, Tensile creep modulus, 1000 h, elongation 0.5 max, Elongation, Tensile yield strain, Flexural strength, Flexural modulus, Elastic modulus, Compressive strength, Young's modulus, Tear strength, Charpy impact strength, Charpy impact strength, notched, Izod impact strength, Izod impact strength, notched, Shear strength, Tenacity, Abrasion resistance, Adhesive bond strength, Poisson's ratio, Compression set, Shore A hardness, Shore D hardness, Rockwell hardness, Ball indention hardness at 358 N/30 S, Shrinkage, Brittleness temperature, Viscosity number, Intrinsic viscosity, Mooney viscosity, Melt viscosity, shear rate=1000 s⁻¹, Melt volume flow rate, Melt index, Water absorption, Moisture absorption)
• Chemical resistance (Acid dilute/concentrated, Alcohols, Alkalis, Aliphatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters, Greases & oils, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Ketones, Theta solvent, Good solvent, Non-solvent)
• Flammability (Flammability according to UL-standard; thickness 1.6/0.8 mm, Ignition temperature, Autoignition temperature, Limiting oxygen index, Heat release, NBS smoke chamber, Burning rate (Flame spread rate), Char, Heat of combustion, Volatile products of combustion)
• Weather stability (Spectral sensitivity, Activation wavelengths, Excitation wavelengths, Emission wavelengths, Activation energy of photoxidation, Depth of UV penetration, Important initiators and accelerators, Products of degradation, Stabilizers)
• Biodegradation (Typical biodegradants, Stabilizers)
• Toxicity (NFPA: Health, Flammability, Reactivity rating, Carcinogenic effect, Mutagenic effect, Teratogenic effect, Reproductive toxicity, TLV, ACGIH, NIOSH, MAK/TRK, OSHA, Acceptable daily intake, Oral rat, LD50, Skin rabbit, LD50)
• Environmental impact (Aquatic toxicity, Daphnia magna, LC50, 48 h, Aquatic toxicity, Bluegill sunfish, LC50, 48 h, Aquatic toxicity, Fathead minnow, LC50, 48 h, Aquatic toxicity, Rainbow trout, LC50, 48 h, Mean degradation half-life, Toxic products of degradation, Biological oxygen demand, BOD5, Chemical oxygen demand, Theoretical oxygen demand, Cradle to grave non-renewable energy use)
• Processing (Typical processing methods, Preprocess drying: temperature/time/residual moisture, Processing temperature, Processing pressure, Process time, Additives used in final products, Applications, Outstanding properties)
• Blends (Suitable polymers, Compatibilizers)
• Analysis (FTIR (wavenumber-assignment), Raman (wavenumber-assignment), NMR (chemical shifts), X-ray diffraction peaks)

It can be anticipated from the above breakdown of information that the Handbook of Polymers contains information on all essential data used in practical applications, research, and legislation, providing such data are available for a particular material. In total, over 230 different types of data were searched for each individual polymer. The last number does not include special fields that might be added to characterize the performance of specialty polymers in their applications.

We hope that the results of our thorough search will be useful and that the data will be skillfully applied by users of this book for the benefit of their research and applications.

The contents, scope, treatment of the data (comparison of data from different sources and their qualification), and novelty of the data give the book which should be found on desk of anyone working with polymeric materials.

Table of Contents

Introduction
ABS	poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)
AK	alkyd resin
ASA	poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene-co-acrylate)
BIIR	bromobutyl rubber
BMI	polybismaleimide
BZ	polybenzoxazine
C	cellulose
CA	cellulose acetate
CAB	cellulose acetate butyrate
CAP	cellulose acetate propionate
CAPh	cellulose acetate phthalate
CAR	carrageenan
CB	cellulose butyrate
CEC	carboxylated ethylene copolymer
CHI	chitosan
CIIR	chlorobutyl rubber
CMC	carboxymethyl cellulose
CN	cellulose nitrate
COC	cyclic olefin copolymer
CPE	polyethylene, chlorinated
CPVC	poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated
CR	polychloroprene
CSP	polyethylene, chlorosulfonated
CTA	cellulose triacetate
CY	cyanoacrylate
DAP	poly(diallyl phthalate)
E-RLPO	poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-triammonioethyl methacrylate chloride)
EAA	poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)
EAMM	poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)
EBAC	poly(ethylene-co-butyl acrylate)
EBCO	ethylene-n-butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide terpolymer
EC	ethyl cellulose
ECTFE	poly(ethylene-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene)
EEAC	poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate)
EMA	poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate)
EMA-AA	poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)
ENBA	poly(ethylene-co-n-butyl acrylate)
EP	epoxy resin
EPDM	ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer
EPR	ethylene propylene rubber
ETFE	poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene)
EVAC	ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
EVOH	ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer
FEP	fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer
FR	furan resin
GEL	gelatin
GT	gum tragacanth
HCP	hydroxypropyl cellulose
HDPE	high density polyethylene
HEC	hydroxyethyl cellulose
HPMC	hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
HPMM	poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate)
IIR	isobutylene-isoprene rubber
LCP	liquid crystalline polymers
LDPE	low density polyethylene
LLDPE	linear low density polyethylene
MABS	poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)
MBS	poly(styrene-co-butadiene-co-methyl methacrylate)
MC	methylcellulose
MF	melamine-formaldehyde resin
MP	melamine-phenolic resin
NBR	acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer
PA-3	polyamide-3
PA-4,6	polyamide-4,6
PA-4,10	polyamide-4,10
PA-6	polyamide-6
PA-6,6	polyamide-6,6
PA-6,10	polyamide-6,10
PA-6,12	polyamide-6,12
PA-6,66	polyamide-6,66
PA-6I/6T
PA-11	polyamide-11
PA-12	polyamide-12
PAA	poly(acrylic acid)
PAAm	polyacrylamide
PAC	polyacetylene
PAEK	acrylonitrile-butadiene-acrylate copolymer
PAH	polyanhydride
PAI	poly(amide imide)
Palg	alginic acid
PAN	polyacrylonitrile
PANI	polyaniline
PAR	polyarylate
PARA	polyamide MXD6
PB	1,2-polybutylene
PBA	poly(p-benzamide)
PBAN	poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid)
PBD,cis	cis-1,4-polybutadiene
PBD,trans
PBI	polybenzimidazole
PBMA	polybutylmethacrylate
PBN	poly(butylene 2,6-naphthalate)
PBT	poly(butylene terephthalate)
PC	polycarbonate
PCL	poly(e-caprolactone)
PCT	poly(cyclohexylene terephthalate)
PCTFE	polychlorotrifluoroethylene
PCTG	poly(ethylene-co-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate)
PDMS	polydimethylsiloxane
PDS	polydioxanone
PE	polyethylene
PEA	poly(ethyl acrylate)
PEC	poly(ester carbonate
PEDOT	poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
PEEK	polyetheretherketone
PEI	poly(ether imide)
PEK	polyetherketone
PEKK	polyetherketoneketone
PEM	poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid)
PEN	poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)
PEO	poly(ethylene oxide)
PES	poly(ether sulfone)
PET	poly(ethylene terephthalate)
PEX	silane-crosslinkable polyethylene
PF	phenol-formaldehyde resin
PFA	perfluoroalkoxy resin
PFI	perfluorinated ionomer
PFPE	perfluoropolyether
PGA	poly(glycolic acid)
PHEMA	poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)
PHB	poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)
PHSQ	polyhydridosilsesquioxane
PI	polyimide
PIB	polyisobutylene
PIP,cis	cis-polyisoprene
PIP,trans
PK	polyketone
PLA	poly(lactic acid)
PMA	poly(methyl acrylate)
PMAA	poly(methacrylic acid)
PMAN	polymethacrylonitrile
PMFS	polymethyltrifluoropropylsiloxane
PMMA	polymethylmethacrylate
PMP	polymethylpentene
PMPS	polymethylphenylsilylene
PMS	poly(p-methylstyrene)
PMSQ	polymethylsilsesquioxane
PN	polynorbornene
POE	very highly branched polyethylene
POM	polyoxymethylene
PP	polypropylene
PP,iso	polypropylene, isotactic
PP,syndio
PPA	polyphthalamide
PPG	polypropylene glycol
PPMA	polypropylene, maleic anhydride modified
PPO	poly(phenylene oxide)
PPP	poly(1,4-phenylene)
PPS	poly(p-phenylene sulfide)
PPSQ	polyphenylsilsesquioxane
PPSU	poly(phenylene sulfone)
PPT	poly(propylene terephthalate)
PPTA	poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)
PPTI	poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)
PPV	poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene)
PPX	poly(p-xylylene)
PPy	polypyrrole
PR	proteins
PS	polystyrene
PS,iso	polystyrene, isotactic
PS,trans	polystyrene, syndiotactic
PSM	polysilylenemethylene
PSMS	poly(styrene-co-a-methylstyrene)
PSR	polysulfide
PSU	polysulfone
PTFE	polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE-AF
PTMG	poly(tetramethylene glycol)
PTT	poly(trimethylene terephthalate)
PU	polyurethane
PVAC	poly(vinyl acetate)
PVB	poly(vinyl butyrate)
PVC	poly(vinyl chloride)
PVCA	poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate)
PVDC	poly(vinylidene chloride)
PVDF	poly(vinylidene fluoride)
PVDF-HFP
PVF	poly(vinyl fluoride)
PVK	poly(N-vinyl carbazole)
PVME	poly(vinyl methyl ether)
PVOH	poly(vinyl alcohol)
PVP	poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)
PZ	polyphosphazene
SAN	poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)
SBC	styrene-butadiene block copolymer
SBR	poly(styrene-co-butadiene)
SBS	styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer
SEBS	styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer
SIS	styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer
SMA	poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)
SMAA	poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate)
ST	starch
TPU	thermoplastic polyurethane
UF	urea formaldehyde resin
UHMWPE
ULDPE	ultralow density polyethylene
UP	unsaturated polyester
VE	vinyl ester resin
XG	xanthan gum

* Editor's Note: The brief summary and the contents of the books are reported as provided by the author or the publishers. Authors and publishers are encouraged to send review copies of their recent books of potential interest to readers of Polymers to the Publisher (Dr. Shu-Kun Lin, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), Kandererstrasse 25, CH-4057 Basel, Switzerland. Tel.: +41-61-683-77-34; Fax: +41-61-302-89-18; E-Mail: [email protected]). Some books will be offered to the scholarly community for the purpose of preparing full-length reviews.