British Polymer Journal 20 ( I 988) 53 1-534

Book Reviews Crystallographically ordered polymers Edited by D. J. Sandman, ACS Symposium Series No. 337, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1987. pp. vii + 287, price $69.95 (USA & Canada), $83.95 (rest of world). ISBN 0-8412-1023-3

This book is a compendium of papers presented in 1986 before the American Chemical Society, Division of Polymeric Materials in New York. The subject matter is polymeric single crystals, usually of macroscopic dimensions, such as arising from solid state polymerisation of monomers in the form of macroscopic single crystals or in some instances as in the form of Langmuir-Blodgett films. This highly topical subject represents, possibly, the closcst link between polymer science and traditional solid state physics and chemistry also with significant device applications potential.

The 20 individual articles are mostly summaries of recent front-line works of the author’s respective laboratories meant for specialized readership, with some review content, general introduction (with reasonably extensive bibliography), making valuable partial source material in this rapidly expanding field.

Following a Preface by the Editor the book divides into six subject areas: Solid-state polymerization (the largest single subject area, 7 chapters); Chemical properties and solution structure (3 chapters); Linear and nonlinear spectroscopy (4 chapters); Photoconductivity (2 chapters); Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2 chapters), and Mechanical properties ( 1 chapter). Most papers are multi-authored from the leading lab- oratories in this subject, some of which, like GTE, Ma, and Queen Mary College, London, contribute several chapters. The largest number of papers is concerned with the family of polydiacety- lenes, but some other substances, e.g. polybutadiene, are also featured. As the chapter headings indicate, several of thc papers are chemical in nature (polymerization mechanisms), with a few bordering on theoretical physics (non-linear optics, excitations), but the majority encompassing the interrelation between chemical constitution and physical properties. While coverage is not comprehensive there are sufficient pointers in each aspect to provide guidance for the reader interested to probe further. In keeping with the tradition of this ACS Symposium Series the overall presentation is of a uniformly high standard.

A. Keller

Surface coatings-1 Edited by A. D. Wilson, J. W. Nicholson and H. J. Prosser, Elsevier Applicd Scicncc Publishcrs, London, 1987. pp. xii + 273, price f4000. ISBN 1-85166-088-7

In recent years there has been steady growth in the numbers of books published on surface coatings. This reflects the increasing importance of coatings in modern technologies where they play an increasingly active role. Surfucr Coatings-I has been

produced to satisfy a demand by workers in the expanding field of surface coatings for authoritative and up-to-date reviews on specific topics. Following an introductory chapter by the editors, which describes the widening world of surface coatings and the development and application of instrumental methods for analysis and evaluation of coatings, there follows six, highly- readable and informative reviews. The first, by Blunden and Hill, describes the development of tin based antifouling coatings and how their development has been affected by environmental concern and subsequent legislation. The impetus which such cnvironmental concerns can bring to the dcvelopmcnt of new technologies is further illustrated in Chapter 4 in which Storcy givcs an cxccllcnt ovcrvicw of high-solids coatings. For newcomers to the subject this review is an ideal introduction to the literature, for the experienced it provides a welcome update.

Chapters 4 and 5 are devoted to experimental methods. Falla of the Paint Research Association critically accesses the various experimental techniques which are available for the prediction of weathering performance and deals comprehensively with the recently developed use of plasma etching at the PRA for this purposc. This contribution is followed by a description of XPS and its use in studies of polymer degradation, pigment technology and the analysis of metal/polymer interfaces by Watts.

Two prerequisites of surface coatings are that they form coherent films and that they adhere to substrates. These topics are dealt with by Knauss and Walker, respectively. Thus, in Chapter 6 Walker deals with adhesion promoters, paying particular attention to the vast range of silanes which are available to the coatings technologist. However, titanate, zirconate and other types of adhesion promoters are dealt with and an excellent guide to the patent literature is provided. Knauss describes the molecular relaxation processes which are important during film formation and the experimental methods which can be used in their study. A detailed treatment is given to methods such as impedometry which have been developed in the author’s laboratory and which have proven to be of great value in studying the viscoelastic properties of film-forming materials.

Surfuce Couting.7 -1 has more than fulfilled the objectives of the editors. The reviews are of a consistently high technical standard, they are well written and they will appeal to a wide spectrum of scientists/technologists working in the field of surface coatings. I look forward to reading Surfuce Coatings-2.

T. Corner

Radiation curing of polymers Edited by D. R. Randell, Special Publication, No. 64, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, 1987. pp. vii + 208, price f32-50, $63.00. ISBN 0-85186-696-4

The proceedings of this symposium organised by the North West Region Industrial Division of the Royal Society of

53 1 British Polymer Journal (20) (1988)-(Q 1988 Society of Chemical Industry. Printed in Great Britain