Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology—3

The Rolduc Polymer Meetings, of which the contents of this volume represent the third, are already on their way to occupying a unique place in the crowded calendar of symposia on every aspect of polymer science and engineering. They combine manageable meeting size with a theme, 'Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology', which is often discussed but seldom realized in practice. The technological, or applied, areas of polymers have perhaps received more emphasis historically than those of other allied disciplines. Indeed, various plastic and rubber materials were successful items of commerce long before the macromolecular concept itself was firmly established. The more fundamental aspects of the field were also largely developed in industrial laboratories. The early work of Mark and Meyer at IG Farben, and that of Carrothers and Flory at Du Pont, are good examples of this. The present situation, in which polymers are being applied to more and more demanding end uses, from high performance materials on the one hand to the biomedical and electronics fields on the other, caIls for an ever greater understanding of the basic scientific principles governing their behavior. It is evident, therefore, that interactions between those engaged in the 'pure' and 'applied' parts of the field must be promoted effectively. The Rolduc Polymer Meetings contribute significantly to such interactions, not only by interweaving technological and scientific presentations, but also by providing a forum for the participants to discuss problems of mutual interest in all their complexity.

1: Plenary Papers.- Integration of Polymer Science and Technology?.- Polymers for Electronics and Photonics.- Engineering Plastics.- 2: Thermodynamics/Blends.- Thermodynamic Stability of Copolymer Blends.- Influence of Molar Mass Distribution on Thermodynamics of Polymer Systems.- Application of Critical Conditions in the Mean-Field Lattice Gas Model.- State Diagrams of Systems with Water Sensitive Polymers and Water.- Purification of Polymers by Supercritical Fluid Extraction in Processing Machines.- Determination of the Thermodynamic Properties of the System Polyethylene Oxide/Water.- Thermodynamics of Polymer Mixtures: Factors Affecting Miscibility in Polymer Blends.- Extra High Temperature Acrylics and Their Alloying Potential.- Subinclusion Morphology in Compatibilised Polymer Blends.- The Modification of EPDM-Rubber with Maleic Anhydride by Reaction Blending.- Irradiation of Isotactic Polypropylene and Polypropylene/ Ethylene-Propylene-(diene-monomer) Blends.- Tough Interpenetrating Polymer Networks.- Dispersive Mixing on a Two-Roll Mill.- Continuous Emulsion ABS Production in a 2-stage Reactor Cascade: Operating Conditions and Polymer Properties.- 3: Fibres/Composites.- Viscoelasticity of Aramid Fibres.- Maximum Properties Achieved by Uniaxial Drawing of High Molecular Weight Polyolefins.- Advances in Gel-Spinning Technology and Dyneema Fiber Applications.- Kinkband Formation in Aramid Filaments.- Mechanics of Fiber Assemblies.- Impact Performance of Dyneema PE/Epoxy Composites in Comparison with Other Commercial Fibres.- Hybrid Composites Based on Polyethylene/Carbon Fibres.- Testing of Fibre—Matrix Adhesion.- Matrix Effects on Interlaminar Fatigue Crack Growth in Composites.- Fibre Deformation and Residual Thermal Stresses in Carbon Fibre Reinforced PEEK.- Mechanical Breakdown of Single Fibres and Microcomposites.- Composites without Chemistry.- Curing of Epoxy Matrices.- A Novel Approach to Reaction Injection Moulding Technology.- Novel Homogeneous X-Ray Contrast Polymer Salt Composites.- 4: Morphology/Structure.- Molecular Structure, Crystallization and Morphology of Very Low Density Polyethylene (VLDPE).- A Case for Liquid-Liquid Phase Segregation in Polyethylene Melts.- Investigation of the Morphology of Spherulitic Crystallized and Solvent Treated Polycarbonate with Electron Microscopy.- Influence of Different Fillers on the Isothermal Crystallization and Glass Transition Temperature of Polypropylene.- Conformational Disorder in Polydiethylsiloxane (PDES).- The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Morphology of Isothermal Crystallized iPP.- Shrinkage of Polymer Materials and Memory Effect.- Optical and Viscoelastic Properties of Gelatin—Water During Gelation.- On the Structure of Hard Elastic Polypropylene Fibre.- 5: Speciality Polymers.- Polymers for Optical Recording Media.- New Model and Starting Compounds for Liquid Crystalline Polymers.- A Novel High Temperature Thermoplastic.- Study on the Synthesis and Properties of a New Polyimide End-Capped with Maleic Anhydride.- Synthesis of Polymers with Long Side-Chain of N-Alkyl Esters and Their Effects on Pour-Point Depression of Oil.- 6: Techniques.- Deformation Induced Emission of Electrons and Positive Ions.- Measurement of Volume Changes during Torsion of Unplasticized PVC by Means of a Torsional Dilatometer: Physical Ageing Behaviour.- 13C Solid State NMR Study of Ethylene—Vinyl Alcohol Copolymers.- Index of Contributors.