Ian M. Ward & John Sweeney 
Mechanical Properties of Solid Polymers 

Providing an updated and comprehensive account of the properties
of solid polymers, the book covers all aspects of mechanical
behaviour. This includes finite elastic behavior, linear
viscoelasticity and mechanical relaxations, mechanical anisotropy,
non-linear viscoelasicity, yield behavior and fracture. New to this
edition is coverage of polymer nanocomposites, and molecular
interpretations of yield, e.g. Bowden, Young, and Argon.

The book begins by focusing on the structure of polymers,
including their chemical composition and physical structure.
It goes on to discuss the mechanical properties and behaviour of
polymers, the statistical molecular theories of the rubber-like
state and describes aspects of linear viscoelastic behaviour, its
measurement, and experimental studies.

Later chapters cover composites and experimental behaviour,
relaxation transitions, stress and yielding. The book concludes
with a discussion of breaking phenomena.

About the author

Professor Ian M. Ward is an internationally recognized
and well respected authority on this subject. Chair in Physics at
Leeds University since 1970, he has gained a reputation as an
outstanding scientist. He is also a co-founder of the British
Polymer Physics Group and the winner of several awards, including
the Glazebrook medal of the Institute of Physics (2004) and the
Netlon award (2004) both given for his work in polymer physics.

Professor John Sweeney holds a Personal Chair in
Polymer Mechanics at the University of Bradford. He has researched
in various areas of solid polymer behaviour, including
viscoelasticity, fracture mechanics, shear banding, large
deformations and nanocomposites. He is well known for his
collaborations with Professor Ward and his association with the
internationally recognized Polymer IRC (Interdisciplinary Research
Centre).