The last 20 years have seen a flurry of activity in the synthesis of new polymer systems, largely as a result of the increased need for high technology materials. It is the polymides and their unparalleled versatility that have captured the imagination of scientists and engineers alike. The electronics industry makes extensive use of polymide film in, for example, semiconductor applications. The leading polymer matrices for high temperature advanced composites are polymides. High temperature adhesive systems for the bonding of metals or composites are often based on polymides. This book brings together the chemistry, production, properties and applications of polymides. Written by an international group of scientists and technologists from the USA, Europe and Japan, this book will be a source of reference for materials scientists, polymer technologists and engineers in the electronics, aerospace, automotive and chemical industries.