Mechanical Behaviour and Durability of Polymers: Part 2: Polymers and Composites Failure and Durability

This book is designed as a basis for the preparation of the 5 credits “Polymers and Com- posites Failure and Durability” module which is part of the 10 credits integrated course "Mechanical Behaviour and Durability of Polymers" given in the 2nd year of the Mate- rials Engineering and Nanotechnology Master degree at the Politecnico di Milano. The book contents are mainly aimed at engineering students who want to acquire polymer science and technology skills for the purpose of designing and innovate with these mate- rials. The first Chapter is devoted to basic definitions. The second Chapter deals with yielding behaviour of polymers. The third Chapter is focused on fracture mechanics of viscoelastic materials. The fourth Chapter collects a series of evidences of the main chemical and physical phenomena occurring during aging of polymers and composites. The fifth and last Chapter presents a collection of case studies that are related to the durability of polymers.