Polymeric Liquids and Networks: Structure and Properties is the first book of two by William W. Graessley that presents a unified view of flexible-chain polymer liquids and networks. The topics of both volumes range from equilibrium properties to dynamic response, finite deformation behavior and non-Newtonian flow. The second book will be titled Polymeric Liquids and Networks: Dynamics and Rheology. These various aspects of the field were developed over the past 70 years by researchers from many academic disciplines. The infusion of fresh viewpoints continually invigorated and enriched the field, making polymeric liquids and networks a truly interdisciplinary subject. The lack of a common terminology and perspective, however, has led to compartmentalization, making it difficult for a newcomer, even one technically trained, to gain a broad appreciation of the field and to see the relationships among its various parts. The aim of these two books, without diluting the substance, is to achieve a desired unity.

Polymeric Liquids and Networks emphasizes fundamental principles and a molecular viewpoint. The conceptual basis of theories underlying each topical area is explained with derivations sometimes outlined briefly and sometimes given in detail. Technical terminology is kept to a minimum necessary for coherent presentation. The goal of the text is to provide an informed understanding rather than detailed technical proficiency. Theory, experiment, and simulation are woven together as appropriate for achieving a balanced view. The books are designed to serve academic and industrial needs, consolidating the understanding of topics with both practical and fundamental significance, and written from a technical but non-specialized perspective.

The books deal mainly with non-polar and weakly polar species and largely with results derived from experiments on structurally well-defined systems. The objective is not to ignore the more complex systems, which are pervasive in both nature and industry and important in their own right. Much space is devoted to structural distributions, their characterization and their effect on properties. It is rather to provide a framework for better understanding of all polymeric liquids by identifying, in the simplest possible circumstances, the universal attributes of a chain-like and flexible molecular structure.