Preface<br>PART ONE: Polymers and Fillers<br> <br>POLYMERS AND POLYMER COMPOSITES<br>Thermoplastics and Thermosets<br>Processing of Thermoplastics and Thermosets<br>Polymer Composites<br>MODIFICATION OF POLYMER PROPERTIES WITH FUNCTIONAL FILLERS<br>Introduction<br>The Importance of the Interface<br>Modification of Mechanical Properties<br>Effects of Fillers on Processing Characteristics of Polymers<br>MIXING OF FILLERS WITH PLASTICS<br>Introduction<br>Pretreatment of Fillers<br>Feeding<br>Melting<br>Solids Introduction and Mixing<br>Venting<br>Pressure Generation<br>Process Examples<br>Further Information<br> <br>PART TWO: Surface Modifiers and Coupling Agents<br> <br>SILANE COUPLING AGENTS<br>Introduction<br>Production and Structures of Monomeric Silanes<br>Silane Chemistry<br>Types of Silanes<br>Silane Hydrolysis<br>Reactivity of Silanes Toward the Filler<br>Combining Silanes and Mineral Fillers<br>Insights into the Silylated Filler Surfaces<br>Selection of Silanes<br>Applications of Specific Silanes<br>Trends and Developments<br>TITANATE COUPLING AGENTS<br>Introduction<br>The Six Functions of the Titanate Molecule<br>Summary and Conclusions<br>FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS AND OTHER MODIFIERS<br>Introduction<br>General Types of Modifiers and Their Principal Effects<br>Modifiers by Chemical Type<br> <br>PART THREE: Fillers and Their Functions<br>A - High Aspect Ratio Fillers<br> <br>GLASS FIBERS<br>Background<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br>Environmental Impact<br>MIKA FLAKES<br>Background<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br>NANOCLAYS AND THEIR EMERGING MARKETS<br>Introduction<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br>CARBON NANOTUBES/NANOFIBERS AND CARBON FIBERS<br>Introduction<br>Materials<br>Polymer Matrix Composites<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br> <br>B - Low Aspect Ratio Fillers<br> <br>NATURAL FIBERS<br>Introduction<br>Structure and Production Methods<br>Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications (Primary and Secondary Functions)<br>TALC<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br>KAOLIN<br>Introduction<br>Production Methods<br>Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications<br>WOLLASTONITE<br>Introduction<br>Production<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers/Cost<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications Involving the Plastics Compounding Industry<br>Summary<br>Future Considerations for Use of Wollastonite in Plastics<br>WOOD FLOUR<br>Introduction<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental/Toxicity Considerations<br>Applications (Primary and Secondary Functions)<br>CALCIUM CARBONATE<br>Background<br>Production Methods<br>Structure and Properties<br>Suppliers<br>Cost/Availability<br>Environmental, Toxicity, and Sustainability Considerations<br>Applications<br> <br>C - Specialty Fillers<br> <br>FIRE RETARDANTS<br>Introduction<br>Combustion of Polymers and the Combustion Cycle<br>Fuel<br>Smoke<br>Flammability of Polymers<br>Mechanisms of Fire-Retardant Action<br>Classification of Flame Retardants<br>Tools and Testing<br>Toxicity<br>Manufacturers of Fire Retardants<br>Concluding Remarks<br>CONDUCTIVE AND MAGNETIC FILLERS<br>Introduction<br>Carbon Black<br>Phenomena of Conductivity in Carbon Black-Filled Polymers<br>Distribution and Dispersion of Carbon Black in Polymers<br>Other Carbon-Based Conductive Fillers<br>Intrinsically Conductive Pol