This reference provides coverage of the principles of polymer science and engineering with applications in chemical engineering, materials science and chemistry. In addition to synthetic polymer chemistry, it also looks at the properties of polymers in various states (solution, melt, rubber, solid). Three chapters provide a survey of the important categories of plastics including commodity thermoplastics and fibers, elastomers and thermosets, and engineering and specialty polymers. Basic polymer processing principles are explained as well as in-depth application of the latest polymer applications in the medical, biotechnology, electronics and chemical industries.