Handbook of Material Weathering

This 5th edition of Handbook of Material Weathering contains systematic updates of knowledge generated in more than last 25 years when the 1st edition was prepared. The information required for professional use has been growing so rapidly that additional books had to be written to accommodate essential knowledge for implementation in technological processes used to manufacture products, which deteriorate on exposure to weathering stress factors. This edition contains 20 chapters, which can be divided into the following groups: * Theory (photophysics and photochemistry) * Stress factors (parameters of exposure, measurements in assessment of weathering conditions, and climatic conditions) * Methods of weathering (laboratory degradation studies, weathering cycles, sample preparation, weathering data interpretation, lifetime prediction, and artificial weathering versus natural exposure) * Methods of testing of weathered samples (effect of weathering on material properties and testing methods of weathered specimens) * Weathering of polymers (data on 52 most important polymers, including mechanisms of degradation, effect of thermal history, characteristic changes in properties with graphical illustrations, and tables with numerical data) * Weathering of products (data on 42 groups of industrial products, including their required durability, lifetime expectation, relevant degradation mechanisms, and characteristic changes with graphical illustrations) * Effect of additives on weathering (12 groups of additives are discussed) * Effect of environmental stress cracking (parameters controlling ESC, mechanisms, methods of testing, and effect on materials) * Specific topics (suitability of weathered materials for recycling, interrelation between corrosion and weathering, and methods of study and prevention of deterioration of historical monuments made out of stone) The above information is based on the thorough review of published papers, patents, and other relevant sources updated to the most recent data and information.