Publisher's Synopsis
This volume is a study of polymer surfaces and interfaces from the the perspective of polymer scientists, tribologists, and mechanical engineers. The book is divided into four sections that address a range of problems, from contact mechanics of viscoelastic materials to relationships between polymer microstructures and surface properties. Special attention is paid to micromechanical and microtribological properties and composites, with an emphasis on scanning probe-based microscopy studies. Industrial applications of the work are discussed, including automotive coatings, computer hard discs, medical devices, and microelectromechanical systems.