Polymers are permeable, whilst ceramics, glasses and metals are gener ally impermeable. This may seem a disadvantage in that polymeric containers may allow loss or contamination of their contents and aggressive substances such as water will diffuse into polymeric struc tures such as adhesive joints or fibre-reinforced composites and cause weakening. However, in some cases permeability is an advantage, and one particular area where this is so is in the use of polymers in drug delivery systems. Also, without permeable polymers, we would not enjoy the wide range of dyed fabrics used in clothing...

The use of adhesives has many advantages over other methods of fastening. Presenting a smooth exterior, spreading of the load and ease of joining thin or dissimilar materials are all reasons why the use of adhesives for bonding structures is steadily growing and finding new applications. Structural Adhesive Joints in Engineering is a concise guide to adhesive joints within structures, especially those capable of bearing high loads. The book covers all aspects of design, materials selection and testing, including the physical properties and cure-chemistry of structural adhesives and how to...

Polymers are permeable, whilst ceramics, glasses and metals are gener ally impermeable. This may seem a disadvantage in that polymeric containers may allow loss or contamination of their contents and aggressive substances such as water will diffuse into polymeric struc tures such as adhesive joints or fibre-reinforced composites and cause weakening. However, in some cases permeability is an advantage, and one particular area where this is so is in the use of polymers in drug delivery systems. Also, without permeable polymers, we would not enjoy the wide range of dyed fabrics used in clothing...