Polymer Science deals essentially with such aspects as are of immediate concern to a new entrant to the field of polymers. Taken as a whole, these 15 chapters are aimed to raise the reader to a level from where he/she can easily assimilate other specialised and exhaustive treatises on the subject. Topics dealing with the chemistry, physics and technology of polymers, are developed in a careful and logical manner so as to provide an easy and enjoyable reading. Several examples and analogies are brought in so as to make the main concepts easy to follow and tables are included so that the book can serve, to a limited extent, as a handbook dealing with polymer related parameters. It is meant for students taking courses in polymer science or technology and also for those working in the plastics, rubber and other allied polymer industries but without having a formal educational background in polymer science. About The Author V. R. Gowariker currently Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, and the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum, the prime R & D Centre and the largest establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Dr. Gowariker obtained his M.Sc and later Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Birmingham University. He joined the Space Centre in 1967. Before joining ISRO, Dr. Gowariker was with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and with Summerfield Research Station, an agency establishment of the then British Ministry of Aviation, as Senior Technical Officer. Dr. Gowariker was for many years on the Solid Rocket Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is closely associated with several scientific/technological institutions and Government departments in India as Chairman/member of Research Advisory Councils/Scientific Advisory Committees. Recipient of the Institution of Engineers National Design Award 1980, MS University`s Dr. KG Naik Gold Medal, FIE Foundation award, honorary doctorate of science etc. for his outstanding research work. Dr. Gowariker is a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and is awarded the Padmashri by the Government of India. N.V. Viswanathan educated, in chemistry at the University of Madras and in chemical engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, is currently Advisor-Safety at VSSC, Trivandrum. He has over 25 years research and technology development experience in the fields of polymers and solid rocket propellants gained at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune and VSSC, Trivandrum. For the past 6 years he has been actively engaged in the area of safety promotion and accident prevention. He is a member of scientific and professional societies and author of several research publications and technical report. Jayadev Sreedhar took his B.Sc and M.Sc Degrees in Chemistry from the University of Kerala and is currently Scientist-SD at VSSC, Trivandrum. His fields of interest are degradation of polymeric materials, cationic polymerisation, polycondensation leading to polyaramides and polymer based propellants. His research papers were presented at International Symposiums and subsequently published in International journals. He is a member of professional bodies in the fields of polymers and propellants. Table of Contents The Genesis of Polymers Chemistry of Polymerisation Molecular Weight and Size Kinetics of Polymerisation Chemical and Geometrical Structure of Polymer Molecules Glass Transition Temperature Crystallinity in Polymers Copolymerisation Individual Polymers Polymer Degradation Polymer Reactions Polymer Solutions Experimental Methods Elastomeric, Fibre-Forming and Plastic Materials Polymer Processing