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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

  • Reducing the Risks of Weather, Climate and Ocean Extremes

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 12
    • John E. Hay
    • English
    Reducing the Risks of Weather, Climate and Ocean Extremes presents evidence-based and practical guidance on appropriate ways to manage the rapidly increasing impacts and risks associated with extreme weather, climate and ocean events. This book specifically addresses the needs and challenges laid out in the author’s two earlier volumes: Science of Weather, Climate and Ocean Extremes, 2022, and Consequences of Weather, Climate and Ocean Extremes, 2025.The book emphasizes the importance of proactive risk management at local, national, and global levels, drawing on lessons learned from past experiences to inform effective strategies. It explores the complexities of managing the consequences of these extremes, highlighting the role of communication, engagement, and inclusiveness in fosteringresilience within communities. Additionally, the text addresses the necessity of monitoring and evaluating climate risk management initiatives to ensure their effectiveness and adaptability. By synthesizing insights across various scales, this author aims to empower readers to navigate the challenges posed by climate variability and change.This book serves as a vital resource for researchers and practitioners committed to reducing risks and enhancing resilience in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.Members of the Royal Meteorological Society are eligible for a 35% discount on all Developments in Weather and Climate Science series titles. See the RMetS member dashboard for the discount code.
  • 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.
  • 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 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 Fillers, Volume 1

    Properties of Fillers
    • 6th Edition
    • George Wypych
    • English
    Handbook of Fillers, Volume 1, Sixth Edition covers the properties of fillers, providing a deep understanding of their diverse functions in materials that can lead to well-designed material formulation. The book defines terms and methods of classifications of fillers, their typical properties, and expected performance. Over 100 groups of fillers are presented by their average properties and available data, including a list of manufacturers, brand names and grades, applications of groups of fillers in products and polymers, and their major advantages. Methods of transportation, storage, processing, and quality control of fillers are also outlined. The final section of the book features chapters discussing the physical properties, chemical properties, and influence of fillers on the performance of other additives, as well as testing methods of filler systems and health and safety considerations related to the use and processing of fillers. This 6th edition has been split into 2 volumes, this volume covering properties, and the second volume covering applications. Each volume is complementary and required for the understanding and implementing the benefits of filler use.
  • Handbook of Material Biodegradation, Biodeterioration, and Biostablization

    • 3rd Edition
    • George Wypych + 2 more
    • English
    Handbook of Material Biodegradation, Biodeterioration, and Biostabilization, Third Edition provides extensive information on the microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of materials, along with the biocides which are permitted for use according to the most up-to-date worldwide legislation. The book focuses on protecting materials and products against colonization and subsequent degradation of their properties. Mechanisms of biodegradation and biodeterioration, results of biodeterioration, and methods of biostabilization are covered for a large number of products, making the title relevant for a range of industries and applications, including construction, coatings/paints, medical and pharmaceutical applications, and electronics. It also covers 13 groups of bacteria, 7 groups of fungi, and 4 groups of protozoa involved in biodegradative processes. In addition, the health and safety aspects of biocide application are covered in detail, as well as the personal protection of practitioners who are required to use them. The contents and the most-up-to-date information make this book essential for almost all the fields of applied chemistry.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives

    • 5th Edition
    • George Wypych
    • English
    Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives, Fifth Edition, is the only comprehensive reference available on the subject of antiblocking, release, and slip additives, which are of high industrial importance. These additives are used to alter the properties and performances of polymers, minimizing adhesion, aiding separation, and improving the efficiency and cost of processing methods. These characteristics make additives an important topic across the spectrum of industry sectors that employ plastics and polymers. Fully updated to include the latest research and additives, the book considers all essential aspects of chemistry, physical properties, influence on properties of final products, formulations, methods of incorporation, analysis, and effects on health and environment. It also provides a complete analysis of existing literature and patents. Processing is discussed in detail, including coverage of types and concentrations, the effect of the additives on the process and product properties, advantages and disadvantages, and examples of formulations. This combination of data and performance analysis makes the book a vital source of information for industry research and development as well as academia.
  • 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.