Polymer Durability and Radiation Effects Downloaded from pubs.acs.org by 193.56.73.189 on 12/29/18. For personal use only.
Preface The performance of polymeric materials and the science of polymer degradation and material reliability are of ever increasing importance for sustainable global economic development. Many of the challenges we face require better performing, less costly and more specialized polymers ranging from composites and thermo-sets to thermoplastics and elastomers. Whether they find their way into consumer products, energy applications, microelectronics, defense areas, or space exploration, the one commonality is a requirement for improved reliability and the ability to predict their behavior in a variety of environmental conditions. Polymer performance is governed by the polymer's ability to resist chemical and physical degradation processes under thermal, photo, radiation, hydrolytic, and biological conditions. The 27 chapters in this symposium series book provide an overview of the current research and development trends related to the performance, degradation, and reliability of polymers. This book is an extract of the 46 excellent papers presented at the symposium Polymer Performance and Degradation at the Pacifichem conference held in December 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This symposium expands upon previous special symposia on radiation effects in polymers that were organized as part of the Pacifichem conferences held every five years. Despite the unavoidable progression of established researchers like Clough, George, Gillen, H i l l , Seguchi, and many others into their retirement, there is a sustained research interest, and it is with great satisfaction that we continue to witness contributions from new talents entering this field. In fact, as this book demonstrates, the complexity of this field is broader than ever before. Once again, it has been a great opportunity for the Pacific R i m researchers to interact and discuss the latest trends in the durability, radiation effects, and improved performance of polymers. Due to the success of the symposium, many presenters inquired about the possibility of contributing a chapter to a conference proceedings
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book. We hope that we were able to present here a selection and overview of the many research activities that were being addressed. Many of the contributing authors are recognized as experts in their respective fields and have contributed innovative concepts. The authors and the editors sincerely hope that this overview will improve the understanding of the degradative behavior of polymers and will assist our fellow research and development scientists in their pursuit of improved materials.
Mathew C . Celina R & D , Organic Materials Department Sandia National Laboratories P.O. Box 5800, M S 1411 Albuquerque, N M 87185 Roger A . Assink R & D , Organic Materials Department Sandia National Laboratories P.O. Box 5800, M S 1411 Albuquerque, N M 87185
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Polymer Durability and Radiation Effects
