Summary

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the mechanical behaviour of solid polymers. Extensively revised and updated throughout, the second edition now includes new material on mechanical relaxations and anisotropy, composites modelling, non-linear viscoelasticity, yield behaviour and fracture of tough polymers.

The accessible approach of the book has been retained with each chapter designed to be self contained and the theory and applications of the subject carefully introduced where appropriate. The latest developments in the field are included alongside worked examples, mathematical appendices and an extensive reference.

Choice Review

This new edition is, by the authors' design, less extensive and easier to read than the first two (I.M. Ward, Mechanical Properties of Solid Polymers, 1st ed., CH, Dec'72; 2nd ed., 1983). In this regard, Ward and Hadley have succeeded very well. They integrate physical descriptions with the mathematics of mechanics and some very appropriate diagrams, experimental data, and photographs. The book is comprehensive, including an introduction to macromolecules and elasticity followed by a discussion of linear and nonlinear viscoelasticity. Nicely done sections on measurement and experimental results of viscoelastic behavior are included, as well as problems with solutions. The latter chapters are dedicated to polymer composites, relaxation and creep, yield behavior, and fracture. The authors are very well read and take a historical perspective, bringing the material up into the early 1990s. The good, real examples make it a helpful learning tool. A very useful book; students, both undergraduate and graduate, will appreciate the analysis of various theories. D. Hunkeler; Vanderbilt University