Handbook of Impact Modifiers

Handbook of Impact Modifiers provides information on how to modify structure and morphology, improve mechanical performance, and prevent changes during the use of polymeric products by proper selection of impact modifiers. Handbook of Impact Modifiers brings analyses of important publications found in open and patent literature. Special attention is given to the last five years' findings, which brought many new essential developments.

The book begins with an analysis of the chemical origin and related properties of impact modifiers, which are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties. The specific agents are discussed in the companion Databook of Impact Modifiers, which has been published as a separate book to help select products available in the commercial markets and analyze different products. The information included in Databook and Handbook is totally different without any repetition.

The Handbook contains the essential theoretical knowledge required for proper selection and use of impact modifiers, including their morphological structure and distribution in a polymer matrix, the effect on polymer crystallization in the presence and without impact modifiers, important influences on impact modification, mechanisms of modification, and effective methods of incorporation of impact modifiers.

Details on selection and performance in different polymers, products, and processing methods are included in three major chapters. Here extensive use is being made of patent literature and research papers available for different applications.

The final three chapters discuss the effects of impact modifiers on physical and mechanical properties of materials, essential analytical techniques used to analyze systems containing impact modifiers, and the health and safety and environmental impact of impact modifiers.

The only monographic source on the application of impact modifiers was published in 1991. Later published information included chapters on their application in various branches of polymers and their processing. The most recent publication is a marketing report with a world outlook in 2021-2025 that predicts a rapid increase in consumption of impact modifiers. This lack of fundamental information and data requires current specialized publication, the aim which these two books expect to provide.