Polypropylene and other Polyolefins

Book excerpt: This book deals with polyolefins prepared via Ziegler-Natta catalysis, from a polymer chemist's viewpoint, i.e. with emphasis on their preparation and on their basic composition and properties. In addition to chapters on catalysts, polymerization behaviour and polymer properties such as tacticity, crystallinity, morphology etc., a chapter is also devoted to characterization methods. The main part of this work is reserved for polypropylene in all its forms, namely, homopolymer, random copolymer and toughened (`block') copolymers, for which extensive own-experience was present. The other polyolefins are also covered by means of a thorough literature review.This book is intended for scientists active in the field of polyolefins, including catalyst development, but should also prove an invaluable medium in academia to illustrate the growth of understanding in catalysis, kinetics and characterization of a commercially very important class of polymers.