This final volume in theHandbook of Engineering and Speciality Thermoplastics covers Nylons and details the developments of the last decade with respect to their polymerization, properties, synthesis, and applications.

Volume 4 on Nylons is a unique compilation and covers many of the recent technical research accomplishments in the area of engineering polymers, such as nitrogen containing main chain polymers (Nylons). The book emphasizes the various aspects of preparation, structure, processing, morphology, properties and applications of engineering polymers. Recent advances in the development and characterization of multi component polymer blends and composites (maco, micro and nano) based on engineering polymers are also be discussed in detail. It covers an up-to-date record on the major findings and observations in the field.

This state-of-the-art volume:

Has chapters on Polyamide Imides, Polyphthalamides, Polyetherimides, Aromatic Polyamides, Polyanilines, Polyimides

Comprehensive in an encyclopaedic fashion and includes material published in journals, books, conference proceedings, as well as the patent literature

It serves as a "one stop" reference resource for recent important research accomplishments in this area

The authors represent some of the best industry and academic researchers around the globe.

Researchers, scientists, engineers and students in the field of polymer science, polymer technology, and materials science will benefit from reading this book. As it is highly applications oriented, the book will help the user to find solutions to both fundamental and applied problems.

Sabu Thomas is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences, as well as the Director of Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He received his PhD in 1987 in Polymer Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London and a member of the American Chemical Society. He has been¿ranked no 5 in India with regard to the number of publications (most productive scientists). He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. The research group of Prof. Thomas has received numerous awards and honors for excellent work in polymer science and engineering.

Visakh, P.M is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemical Science Mahatma Gandhi University. He has co-edited several books with Sabu Thomas and has written many journal articles and book chapters. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, bio-nanocomposites, liquid crystalline polymers, rubber based nanocomposites, and fire retardant polymers.

List of Contributors xi

1. Engineering and Specialty Thermoplastics: Nylons 1
P. M. Visakh and Sabu Thomas

1.1 Polyamide-imides 1

1.2 Polyetherimide (PEI) 2

1.3 Poly(Ether-Block-Amide) 2

1.4 Aromatic Polyamides 3

1.5 Polyaniline 5

1.6 Polyimides 6

1.7 New Challenges and Opportunities 8

References 9

2. Polyamide Imide 11
Zulkifl i Ahmad

2.1 Introduction and History 11

2.2 Polymerization 13

2.3 Properties 19

2.4 Processing 27

2.5 Applications 30

2.6 Recent development on blends and composite 33

2.7 Conclusions 38

Refernces 38

3. Polyphthalamides 43
J. I. Iribarren, C. Alemán, J. Puiggali

3.1 Introduction and History 43

3.2 Polymerization and Fabrication 47

3.3 Properties 53

3.4 Chemical Stability 61

3.5 Processing 66

3.6 Applications 68

3.7 Developments in polyphthalamide based blends and composites and their applications 71

References 75

4. Polyetherimide 79
Sabrina Carraccio, Concetto Puglisi, and Giorgio Montaudo

4.1 Introduction and Hystory 79

4.2 Polymerization 82

4.3 Properties 88

4.4 Stability 92

4.5 Special Additives 99

4.6 Processing 99

4.7 Applications 101

4.8 Environmental Impact and Recycling 102

4.9 Recent Developments in Polyetherimides Based Blends and Composities 102

References 105

5. Poly(ether-block-amide) Copolymers, Properties and Applications
111
Annarosa Gugliuzza

5.1 Introduction 111

5.2 Synthesis and Micro-phase Separated Morphology 113

5.3 Nomenclature, Properties and Relevant Area Applications 117

5.4 Compounding and Special Additives 122

5.5 Environmental Impact and Recycling 123

5.6 Poly ether-block-amides Membrane in Separation Processes 124

5.7 Poly(ether-block-amide) Membranes in Food 133

5.8 Concluding Remarks 135

References 136

6. Aromatic Polyamides (Aramids) 141
José M. García, Félix C. García, Felipe Serna, and José L. de la Peña

6.1 Introduction and History 142

6.2 Polymerization and Fabrication 145

6.3 Properties 149

6.4 Chemical Stability 154

6.5 Special Additives 154

6.6 Processing 157

6.7 Applications 158

6.8 Environmental Impact and Recycling 161

6.9 Recent Developments in Aromatic Polyamides and their Applications 162

7. Polyaniline 183
Melek Kiristi and Aysegul Uygun

7.1 Introduction and History 183

7.2 Polymerization and Fabrication 184

7.3 Properties 186

7.4 Chemical Stability 188

7.5 Compounding and Special Additives 189

7.6 Processing 195

7.7 Applications 197

7.8 Environmental Impact and Recycling 202

7.9 Recent Developments in Polyaniline Based Blends and Composites and their Applications 203

References 205

8. Polyimides: Synathesis, Properties, Characterization and Applications 211
Abdolreza Hajipour, Fatemeh Rafiee, Ghobad Azizi

8.1 Introduction 211

8.2 Synthesis and Properties of Polyimides 213

8.3 Characterization and Analysis of Polyimides 258

8.4 Applications 261

References 277

Index 289