Preface.- 1.Introduction to Rheology: 1.1 What is rheology?.- 1.2 Why rheological properties are important.- 1.3 Stress- a measure of force.- 1.4 Strain - a measure of deformation.- 1.5 Rheological Phenomena.- 1.6 Why polymeric liquids are non-Newtonian and elastic.- 2.Viscosity and the Normal Stress Differences: 2.1 Simple shear and steady simple shear.- 2.2 Viscometric flow.- 2.3 The viscometric functions.- 2.4 The Viscosity.- 2.5 Normal stress differences.- References.- 3. Linear Viscoelasticity: 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Stress relaxation and the relaxation modulus.- 3.3 The Boltzmann superposition principle.- 3.4 Start-up of steady simple shear.- 3.5 Relaxation moduli of rubbers and molten polymers.- 3.6 The Maxwell model for the relaxation modulus.- 3.7 The generalized Maxwell model and the discrete relaxation spectrum.- 3.8 The continuous spectrum.- .9 Creep and creep recovery: The compliance.- 3.10 Start-up of steady simple extension.- 3.11 Small amplitude oscillatory shear.- 3.12 Inferring a discrete relaxation spectrum from storage and loss moduli.- 3.13 Combining creep and oscillatory shear data.- 3.14 Time-temperature superposition.- 3.15 Cole-Cole and related plots of linear data.- 3.16 Van Gurp-Palmen Plot of Loss Angle Versus Complex Modulus.- 3.17 Storage and loss moduli of molten linear polymers.- 3.18 The plateau modulus and the molecular weight between entanglements.- 3.19 The Rouse-Bueche model for unentangled melts.- 3.20 Tube models for entangled melts.- 3.21 Molecular weights fo the onset of entanglement effects.- 3.22 Summary.- References.- 4. Nonlinear Viscoelasticity - Phenomena: 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Nonlinear phenomena from a tube modelp of view.- 4.3 Nonlinear stress relaxation.- 4.4 Dimensionless groups used to plot rheological data.- 4.5 The viscosity in terms of the tube model.- 4.6 Transient shear tests at finite rates.- 4.7 Extensional flow behavior - Introduction.- 4.8 Extensional Flow Behavior of Melts.- 4.9 Shear modification.- 4.10 Time-temperature superposition of nonlinear properties.- References.- 5. Nonlinear Viscoelasticity - Models: 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Tensor notation.- 5.3 The stress tensor.- 5.4 A strain tensor for infinitesimal deformations.- 5.5 The Boltzmann superposition principle in tensor form.- 5.6 Strain tensors for large, rapid deformations.- 5.7 Integral constitutive equations based on continuum mechanics.- 5.8 Continuum differential constitutive equations.- 5.9 Constitutive equations from molecular models.- 5.10 Numerical simulation of melt flows.- References.- 6. Measurement Techniques: 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Rotational and other drag-flow rheometers.- 6.3. Pressure-driven rheometers.- 6.4 On-line rheometers.- 6.5 High-throughput rheometry.- 6.6. Extensional rheometers.- 6.7 Torque Rheometers.- 6.8 Using Rheology for statistical process control.- 6.9 Sample Stability: Thermo-oxidative degradation and hydrolysis.- Reference.- 7. Rheology and molecular structure: 7.1 Rheology and structure of linear polymers.- 7.2 Long-chain branching and melt rheology.- References.- 8. Role of Rheology in Plastics Processing: 8.1.Introduction.- 8.2 Flow in simple channels and dies.- 8.3 Flow in an extruder.- 8.4 Sheet extrusion/film casting.- 8.5 Extrusion coating.- 8.6. Film blowing.- 8.7 Blow molding.- 8.8 Injection molding.- 8.9. Rotational molding.- 8.10. Foam Extrusion.- References.- Appendix A Structural and Rheological Parameters for Several Polymers.- Appendix B The Displacement Gradient Tensor.- Subject Index.