ABSTRACT
There are excellent texts that deal in great detail with test methods for rubber and for plastics, etc. In dealing with one field they recognize the unique requirements for each class of materials and emphasize the particular procedures that have been standardized in each industry. It is no criticism of such texts to say that by concentrating on a restricted scope they do not bring out the similarities and the common themes that run through the testing of all polymers. It is relatively recently that, rather than metallurgists and plastics technologists, etc., the material scientist or technologist has emerged with an important role. There is great need, for technical and commercial reasons, for many companies to consider and use a spectrum of materials. For these interests, a book that covers the fundamentals and the latest techniques for testing the whole polymer family will have many advantages to students, design engineers, researchers, and those who need to evaluate a wide range of products and materials.
