Page 9 - Carrahers_Polymer_Chemistry,_Eighth_Edition

viii Preface

This edition continues in the “user-friendly” mode, with special sections in each chapter contain-
ing definitions, learning objectives, questions, and additional reading. Application and theory are

integrated so that they reinforce one another. There is a continued emphasis on picturing, reinforc-
ing, interweaving, and integrating basic concepts. The initial chapter is shorter, allowing students
to become acclimated. Other chapters are written so they can be covered in about a week’s time or

less. Where possible, difficult topics are distributed and reinforced over several topics. Case studies
are woven into the text fabric.
The basic principles that apply to synthetic polymers apply equally well to inorganic and biolog-
ical polymers and are present in each of the chapters covering these important polymer groupings.
The updating of analytical, physical, and special characterization techniques continues. A num-
ber of topics have been increased and include carbon nanotubes, tapes and glues, butyl rubber,
polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, poly(ethylene glycols), shear-thickening fl uids, photo-
chemistry and photophysics, dental materials, and aramids. New sections on a number of copoly-
mers, including fluoroelastomers, nitrile rubbers, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymers, and

EPDM rubber, have been added. In addition, new units on spliceosomes, asphalt, and fl yash and
aluminosilicates have been included. There is more emphasis on the molecular behavior of materi-
als, that is, nano-scale behavior, and on nanotechnology and nanomaterials.

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