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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

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    • Degradation of Alpine Grasslands on Tibetan Plateau

      Assessment, Causes, Consequences, and Restoration
      • 1st Edition
      • Shibin Liu + 3 more
      • English
      Degradation of Alpine Grasslands on Tibetan Plateau: Assessment, Causes, Consequences, and Restoration summarizes the approaches for assessing the degradation of alpine grasslands, highlighting its effects on vegetation, soil characteristics, water cycles, and ecosystem services. It examines soil carbon and nutrient distribution on the Tibetan Plateau, discusses how degradation impacts nutrient and water cycling, and explores the effects of climate change. The influence of varying moisture conditions on vegetation distribution is also analyzed, along with a quantitative summary of restoration strategies for degraded grasslands.This book serves as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to understand the current state of research in the field of alpine grassland degradation.

    • Handbook of Polyurethanes, Polyureas, and Polyisocyanurates

      • 1st Edition
      • George Wypych
      • English
      Handbook of Polyurethanes, Polyureas, and Polyisocyanurates focuses on the raw materials required for polyurethane synthesis. It explores various isocyanates and polyols, detailing their chemical properties and roles in creating diverse polymer structures. Amines, solvents, catalysts, and other additives that enhance the synthesis process are also discussed, as are typical methods of synthesis, mechanisms of catalysis, factors affecting reaction rates, and potential side reactions that can occur during polymerization. Structures of linear and crosslinked polyurethanes are also covered, including how these configurations influence the physical and chemical properties of the final products. Typical methods for analyzing polyurethanes, allowing for their assessment, characteristics, and qualities are provided, as are the physical-mechanical properties of polyurethanes, including elasticity, tensile strength, and thermal stability. The creation of polyurethane blends and interpenetrating networks is discussed, and the book also features an extensive section on additives used with polyurethanes, such as plasticizers, pigments, flame retardants, and more. Processing methods such as metering, mixing, and storage are outlined, applications of polyurethanes in automotive parts, bedding, medical devices, and packaging are covered, and the book concludes with coverage of waste disposal, processing, and recycling strategies for these products.

    • Databook of Nucleating Agents

      • 3rd Edition
      • Anna Wypych + 1 more
      • English
      Databook of Nucleating Agents, Third Edition gives engineers and materials scientists the information they need to increase the production rate, modify structure and morphology, and reduce the haze of polymeric products through proper selection of nucleating and clarifying agents. Chemical origin and related properties of nucleating agents are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties, including the essential theoretical knowledge required for correct selection and use of nucleating and clarifying agents. This includes methods of chemical modification of nucleating agents and their deposition on suitable substrates, methods and results of dispersion of nucleating agents, influence of their concentration and cooling rate on final result and rate of crystallization, nucleation efficiency of different products and the reasons behind it, and generally accepted mechanisms of nucleation. The book also covers application aspects in different formulations. Patent literature and research papers are extensively reviewed for different applications, and polymer processing methods which require the use of nucleating agents are discussed, with an emphasis on the intricacies of using nucleating agents in different polymers and products. Production of many nucleating agents included in the previous editions has been discontinued, and those agents have been replaced by recently developed ones. Existing additives have been modified and repurposed, and this new edition also contains revised data on currently available generic and commercial nucleating agents.

    • Databook of Flame Retardants

      • 2nd Edition
      • Anna Wypych + 1 more
      • English
      Databook of Flame Retardants contains information on commonly-used additives broken out into five sections, including General, Physical, Health and Safety, Ecological, and Use. Over one hundred types of data are included for over three hundred and fifty commercial-based products. All data fields are defined and include a broad range of information, such as calcium contents, molecular mass, brightness, freezing/melting points, viscosity, volatility, UN/NA class, autoignition temperature, partition coefficient, processing methods, concentrations used, and more. This book is best utilized in tandem with the Handbook of Flame Retardants. Each book complements the other without repeating information, with the other release explaining the role of these products, their selection, mechanism of action, use in different polymers and products, and health and commercial issues related to flame retardants.

    • Handbook of Microplastics

      • 1st Edition
      • George Wypych
      • English
      Handbook of Microplastics provides a wealth of information on what these materials are, how they are proliferating, their geographical distribution, chemical components, morphology, and their physical characteristics, including the various forms they take in different environments. The mechanisms of microplastic formation are discussed, as are methods for detecting and analyzing them, with emphasis placed on the importance of accurate identification in assessing their impact. Key commercial products that are significant sources of microplastics are identified, raising awareness about consumer choices and their environmental consequences. The formation, properties, and hazards of microplastics from various polymers are also covered, as are the environmental impact of microplastics, including their presence in air, water, and soil, leading into an examination of the potential effects on human health and wildlife, including plants, animals, insects, and organisms in aquatic habitats. The book concludes with coverage of microplastics in the food chain, policy measures aimed at combating microplastic pollution, and methods for reducing, eliminating, and preventing microplastic, stressing the urgency of innovative solutions and collective action.

    • Databook of Biocides

      • 2nd Edition
      • Anna Wypych + 1 more
      • English
      The Databook of Biocides, Second Edition contains critical data on the most important biocides in use today. The selection includes generic and commercial biocides that have been approved for use in the European Union and United States. Data on generic biocides comes from numerous sources, and can be easily compared with manufacturing information on commercial biocides, which are also included. The book divides all biocides into four main groups, those being disinfectants such as washing liquids, powders and similar products, preservatives for use in microbial and algal prevention, pest control, and other biocidal products, including antifouling products, embalming and taxidermist fluids, and more. Physical properties for each are presented, including volatility, solubility, and concentration, as are health and safety considerations, such as flash point, autoignition temperature, risks of skin and eye irritation, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity, as well as first-aid guidance. Ecological properties are also emphasized, with data on biodegradation and aquatic toxicity. Particular emphasis is placed on usage considerations, including recommended material-biocide combinations, processing methods and dosages, and features and benefits for each biocide. The book also contains an introductory chapter in which general indicators of performance of biocides are discussed.

    • Handbook of Nucleating Agents

      • 3rd Edition
      • George Wypych
      • English
      Handbook of Nucleating Agents, Third Edition provides information on how to increase the production rate, modify structure and morphology, improve mechanical performance, and reduce the haze of polymeric products with proper selection of nucleating agents (and/or the so-called clarifying agents). It also analyzes important publications found in open and patent literature, with special attention given to the findings of the last five years which brought many new important developments. The book is divided into 14 chapters, each of which concentrates on the essential performance of nucleating agents. Chemical origin and related properties of nucleating agents are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties. The specific agents are discussed in Databook of Nucleating Agents, which is published as a separate book to help in the selection of products available in the commercial markets and analyze the properties of different products. Information in Databook and Handbook is totally different without any repetition. The next six chapters of the Handbook discuss the most essential theoretical knowledge required for the proper selection and use of nucleating and clarifying agents. These include polymer crystallization with and without nucleating agents, parameters of crystallization, essential influences on the nucleation processes, measures of nucleation efficiency, mechanisms of nucleation, and effective methods of dispersion of nucleating agents. The following three chapters concentrate on the application aspects in different formulations. Here, extensive use is being made of patent literature and research papers available for different applications. Discussed are nineteen polymer processing methods that require the use of nucleating agents, forty different polymers that are known to use nucleating agents, and sixteen groups of commercial products in which nucleating agents found applications. This shows that the modern use of nucleating agents is widespread in industry. The last three chapters discuss the effects of nucleating agents on the physical and mechanical properties of materials, the essential analytical techniques used to analyze systems containing nucleating agents, and health and safety in the use of nucleating agents.

    • Handbook of Polymers for Electronics

      • 2nd Edition
      • George Wypych
      • English
      Polymers used in electronics and electrical engineering are essential to the development of high-tech products, with applications in space, aviation, health, automotive, communication, energy harvesting and storage, light-emitting and sensing, flexible electronics, robotic systems, analytical sensors, consumer products, and more. Conductivity is the first feature that comes to mind with these polymers, but they are currently much more complex, having shape-memory, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and many other properties. Typical features of mainstream polymers, such as mechanical performance, optical behavior, and environmental stability, are required by polymers used in electronics, but frequently they must be enhanced to perform in these demanding applications. In many applications, the properties of typical polymers (usually included in popular handbooks) are not sufficient, creating the need to develop special grades or simply use completely new chemistry for their synthesis. Similarly, the typical set of properties included in the description of the mainstream polymer is not sufficient for polymer selection for these applications as they require different data, data that is meticulously detailed in the Handbook of Polymers for Electronics. The book provides readers with the most up-to-date information from the existing literature, manufacturing data, and patent filings. Presenting data for all polymers based on a consistent pattern of arrangement, the book provides details organized into the following sections: General; history; synthesis; structure; commercial polymers; physical properties; electrical properties; mechanical properties; chemical resistance; flammability; weather stability; thermal stability; biodegradation; toxicity; environmental impact; processing; blends; analysis. The contents, scope, treatment and novelty of the data makes this book an essential resource for anyone working with polymeric materials used in modern electronic applications.

    • Handbook of Flame Retardants

      • 2nd Edition
      • George Wypych
      • English
      Handbook of Flame Retardants, Second Edition contains an extensive evaluation of the existing literature, products, and patents related to flame retardance. The book provides fundamental information on the ignition and spread of fire, energy effects on ignition, ignition sources, as well as the effects of pressure, oxygen concentration, gravity, buoyancy, airflow, and heat absorption. The topics of combustion, pyrolysis, smoke, and char formation are each covered, as are the properties of 30 chemical groups of flame retardants and the mechanisms of action and outcomes in preventing, delaying, or extinguishing burning material for 21 groups of flame retardants. The final chapter discusses flame retardants, their peculiarities of action, specific mechanisms, applications to different products, and the results of their incorporation. The book is a perfect complement to The Databook of Flame Retardants, Second Edition.

    • Databook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives

      • 3rd Edition
      • Anna Wypych
      • English
      The Databook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives, Third Edition contains detailed information on over 300 important additives for polymers, additives that are used to minimize adhesion, aid separation, and enhance processing and end-applications for polymers. The variety of additives available makes this databook an invaluable source of information for industry, research, and academia. This 3rd edition has been updated to include modified properties of additives, new additives, the removal of outdated additives, and two new sections in chapters 3 and 5. Each additive is presented with data in the following categories: General Information; Physical Properties; Health and Safety; Ecological Properties; and Use and Performance. Data fields covered include state, odor, color, autoignition temperature, probability of biodegradation and much more. Recommendations are given for specific products, processing methods, and mold materials, and an assessment is given for each additive’s features and benefits, enabling practitioners to select the correct additive for each situation.

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