Polymer International 45 (1998) 427È428
Book Reviews
The chemistry of paper
J. C. Roberts.
Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1996.
pp. xiv ] 182, price £15.95.
ISBN 0-85404-518-X
Paper manufacture involves a remarkable amount of chem-
istry, much of it involving polymer science. This modest
volume (both in size and price) in the excellent Royal Society
of Chemistry series of paperbacks, is aimed at chemistry grad-
uates who require an introduction to the chemistry of paper
manufacture. It describes, clearly and simply (as far as possible
for a complex subject), the basic raw materials (mainly
cellulosic), the need to remove lignin before papermaking, the
paper formation process (with the surface chemistry and the
need of suitable polyelectrolytes), and the use of additives (for
Ðbre retention and drainage), addition of internal sizes (most
of which are condensation polymers), and aspects of the modi-
Ðcation of the properties of the resulting papers.
Two Ðnal chapters discuss the recycling of waste paper, and
the e†ects of papermaking on the environment. There is a
useful, well-selected, reading list.
This is an excellent (and brief) volume, recommended unre-
servedly to any reader with interest in (and curiosity) about an
important industry.
C. A. Finch
11th Bratislava international conference of macromolecules :
Thermal and photo-induced oxidation of polymers and its inhi-
bition in the upcoming 21st century. Macromolecular Sym-
posia, Vol. 115.
Edited by Jozef Rychly.
HuŽthig and Wepf, Zug, Switzerland, 1997.
pp. 214, price SFr78, DM92, oŽS647, US$56.
ISBN 3-8539-312-2
This volume contains the texts of eleven plenary and invited
lectures presented in July 1996.
In his Preface the Editor mentions that scientists are now
studying systems more and more complicated than the basic
polyoleÐns which have taken up so much of the e†ort applied
to polymer degradation for many years. Not only are the
systems more complex, but the physical character of the
polymer is currently appreciated as one of the important
factors governing the progress of degradation. He also
believes that the subject is at a turning point where a new
generation of chemists are re-evaluating the work of their pre-
decessors and introducing new approaches ; representatives of
both the older and the younger groups were present at the
meeting, which, so the Editor believes, has “played a positive
427
( 1998 SCI. Polymer International 0959È8103/98/$17.50 Printed in Great Britain
role and contributed much to the topicÏ, although unfor-
tunately he does not tell us how.
The lectures vary from those concentrating on a speciÐc
type of system (water-borne acrylic coatings, PVC, Ñuorinated
oleÐns, allyl and vinyl ethers, polypropylene) to more general
reviews of inhibitive formulations (interactions of stabilizers),
degradation mechanisms (triplet repulsion) via a few special
topics.
For the most part, it is the old guard that is having its say
here, and it may well be that some of the more provocative
contributions to the meeting came from the younger partici-
pants, whose views are not recorded in this book.
A. D. Jenkins
Adhesion science
J. Comyn.
Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1997.
pp. x ] 150, price £17.95.
ISBN 0-85404-543-0
This is another in the excellent (and a†ordable) series of Royal
Society of Chemistry paperbacks ; it is a Ðrst class commen-
tary on the widespread and growing world of the use of adhe-
sives in joining technology. It sets out to explain the principles
which govern adhesive bonding and related technologies such
as sealing, printing and painting. Although the author has
many years of cooperation (or conÑict) with engineers, the text
is aimed at chemists : therefore, after the introduction of some
(rather basic) polymer chemistry and theories of adhesion, it
describes the technology of surface treatment (all surfaces are
dirtyÈfor good adhesion, it depends how dirty). The chem-
istry of adhesives (epoxy-based, phenolic adhesives for metals,
phenol- or resorcinolÈformaldehyde condensates for wood,
formaldehyde condensates for wood, and acrylic ester/acid
adhesives for many other purposes) and adhesion promoters,
the surface analysis of many di†erent substrates, the study of
contact angles and interfaces, and surface thermodynamics,
are followed by discussions of methods of measurement of the
performance of adhesive bonds. There is also a very brief
chapter on pressure-sensitive adhesives. Finally, the e†ects of
the environment (mainly water, but also oxygen and UV light)
on adhesive bond performance (and failure) are discussed.
This small volume, reÑecting the authorÏs particular inter-
ests, takes the whole extensive technology at a fast trot, and
presents a masterly summary in the process. With an element
of realism, the author also quotes the First Law of Adhesive
Bonding which states, “If all else fails in the adhesive bond, use
b . . . . . . great nailsÏ.
C. A. Finch