Subject Guides Prepared by the Swain Library

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Polymer Chemistry

This guide focuses on polymer chemistry resources. For engineering and business aspects of polymers and plastics, please search SearchWorks, Stanford’s Library Catalog, or consult with reference staff at the Engineering and Business Libraries. For additional chemistry resources, please see the Swain Library home page.

Contents

Library Catalogs

• Stanford Library Catalog
• Melvyl: University of California’s Web-based catalog. Limited to Stanford users
• World Catalog (OCLC). Limited to Stanford users
• LibWeb: Library WWW Servers
• Call Numbers for Browsing the Stacks and Subject Headings for Searching Polymers in the Catalog

See also: E-Books and E-Texts. The National Academy Press has the full-text of more than 1,800 books online.

Abstracts and Indexes

While it is possible to search for a polymer in Chemical Abstracts Online (CAS) using a common name or trade name, using a CAS Registry Number is the most precise and comprehensive way to search for a specific polymer. CAS assigns a Registry Number for a polymer using either the monomer or the structural repeating unit. A list of CAS Numbers for the 500 most common polymers is listed as an appendix in the Polymer Handbook. 4th edition. Swain Ref QD388 .P65 1999.

Because experimental procedures are not commonly indexed in databases, consider searching the full-text of key journal publishers to see an article contains needed information. See section on Electronic Journals for resources you can use to identify publishers.

Increasingly, databases such as CAS and SciSearch provide full-text links to sources. To help you keep current, it is possible to set up current awareness searches in several databases (e.g., CAS Online, Biosis, EI/Compendex, Inspec, and SciSearch) available to Stanford students, faculty, and staff. While you can set up most current awareness searches yourself, the Swain Librarian will need to set up profiles for CAS Online.

• Chemical Abstracts Online. Limited to Stanford students, faculty, and staff. Must download search software.
  • User Aids: STN Quick Reference Guide on Polymer Information (pdf), SciFinder Scholar Support Information which include SciFinder Strategies: Polymer Searching Overview, Polymer Class Searching, Importing Data from Scholar to EndNote, and Macromolecular Sections of CA (use Analyze feature after doing initial search to restrict results to a CA section).
• Derwent Innovations Index (Derwent World Patents and Patents Citation Index). Limited to Stanford users.
  • User Aids: Derwent Innovations Index Quick Reference Guide (print copies available in Swain Library), Derwent Online User Guides which includes several documents on searching polymers, Derwent WPI Reference Information, and a Glossary of Patent Terms.
• Engineering Village (EI/Compendex) (1884+) engineering. Limited to Stanford users.
• Ingenta. Table of contents database for nearly 25,000 titles.
• INSPEC. Limited to Stanford users.
• Macromolecular Structure Database (European Bioinformatics Institute)
• Web of Science (SciSearch). Limited to Stanford users.
• All Databases in the Stanford University Libraries

Conferences and Meetings

• Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Conferences

Dictionaries

• Chemical Acronyms and Abbreviations Database
• Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)
• Guide to Polymer Abbreviations (Last updated March 1998)
• Guide to Polymer Tradenames (Last updated March 1998)
• Index of Polymer Trade Names. 2nd edition. Swain Ref T223.V4 C5 1992
• Inter Active Terminology for Europe (Multilingual terminological database of the European Commission’s Translation Service) [formerly EuroDic Autom]
• Oxford English Dictionary. Latest edition. Limited to Stanford users.
• Polymer Science Dictionary. 2nd edition. Swain Ref QD380.3 .A52 1997 F
• Polymer Technology Dictionary. 1st edition. Swain Ref TP1110.W45 1994

Encyclopedias and Major Reference Works

• AccessScience: The Online Encyclopedia of Science & Technology
• Britannica Online
• Comprehensive Polymer Science: The Synthesis, Characterization, Reactions, & Applications of Polymers. 1st edition. 7 vols & 1st suppl. Swain Ref QD381.C66 1989
• Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design. 67 vols. Swain Ref TP9.E66
• Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Limited to Stanford users. Also in print at Swain and Engin Ref TP9.E689 1992
• Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering. 2nd edition. 17 vols & suppl. Swain Ref TP1087.E46 1985
• Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology Limited to Stanford users.
• Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia (CD-ROM). Ask at Swain Reserves Desk.
• Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 6th edition. Limited to Stanford users. Print version of 5th ed. is also available at Swain Ref TP9.U57 1985 v.A1-A28, B1-B8.

Guides to Resources

• About the Human Internet: Polymer Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering Bibliography (1967–1988). Swain Ref Z7914.C4R35 1990
• Chemical Engineering Bibliography (1992–1993). Swain Ref TP155.R39 1994 f
• Engineering Polymer Sourcebook. Swain TP156.P6S44 1990
• Information Sources in Polymers and Plastics. Swain Ref Z5524P7 I54 1989
• Intute. See section on Polymers, Ceramics and Composites
• Plastics Resource Page
• Plasticsdotcom
• POLY Electronic Discussion List (ACS Div. Polymer Chemistry)
• Polymer Resources (NIST) Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory - Polymers Division.
• Polymer Search on the Internet
• Polymers and Liquid Crystals
• Polymers on the Web (Univ. Akron)
• PolySort: Best Resource for Plastics and Rubber Industry Information
• SCI.POLYMERS.FAQ
• Yahoo: Polymers Index

Organizations

• The Adhesion Society
• American Chemical Society
  • Local Sections
    • American Chemical Society. California Section
    • American Chemical Society. Santa Clara Valley Section
  • Technical Divisions
    • Colloid and Surface Chemistry
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
    • Polymer Chemistry
    • Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering
    • Rubber
• The American Chemistry Council: Plastics Division
• American Physical Society. Division of Polymer Physics
• BioEnvironmental Polymer Society
• Center for Polymer Studies (Boston University)
• Center on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies (Stanford University)
• European Bioplastics
• European Colloid and Interface Society
• Federation of Materials Societies
• Golden Gate Polymer Forum
• Institute of Applied Macromolecular Chemistry (Univ. Stuttgart)
• International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists
• International Liquid Crystal Society
• International Union of Materials Research Societies
• The Intersociety Polymer Education Council (IPEC)
• Liquid Crystal Institute (Kent State Univ.)
• Materials Research Society
• Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
• Michigan Molecular Institute
• The National Academies: Advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
• NIST Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory — Polymers Division
• Polymer Interdisciplinary Research Centre (U.K.-Leeds, Bradford and Durham Universities)
• Polymer Processing Society
• Polymer Science Learning Center (Univ. S. Mississippi)
• Rubber Manufacturers Association
• The Society for Biomaterials
• Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE)
• Society of Plastics Engineers
• The Society of Polymer Science, Japan
• The Society of Rheology
• The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.

Directories

• ACS Directory of Graduate Research. Limited to Stanford Users. Latest print edition on Reserve.
• American Men and Women of Science. In Academic Universe (choose Reference Sources and then Biographical Information). Limited to Stanford users. Latest print edition in Swain Ref Q141 .A48
• Chemical Engineering Faculties. Latest edition in Swain Ref TP165 .C45
• Chemical Engineering Faculty Directory
• Chemistry 2000: Two Thousand of the Best Chemistry Sites (Includes University Departments. Compiled by Cambridge Univ.)
• CorpTech: Database of 50,000 High Tech Companies
• Directory of Polymer Meetings. (ACS Div. Polymer Chemistry)
• Encyclopedia of Associations. In Gale’s Ready Reference Shelf. Limited to Stanford users.
• Liszt: the mailing list directory
• MaterialsJobs.com
• NSF: Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
• Polymer Science Internet Directory. Includes information on educational programs and career opportunities.

Suppliers

• Available Chemicals Directory-3D in MDL Academic Packages (Chemical Supplier and Reaction Databases). Limited to Stanford students, faculty, and staff. Faculty of lab group must set up free account. Users must download search software. This supplier catalog includes prices.
• ChemCats in Chemical Abstracts Online. Integrated into CAS Online. Limited to Stanford students, faculty, and staff. Must download search software
• Chem Sources Online (Stanford users only) Latest edition of print version on Reserve at Swain
• SRI Directory of Chemical Producers. United States and European sections. On Reserve at the Swain Library
• Thomas Register of American Manufacturers

Educational Resources

• Center for Polymer Studies (Boston University). Includes online exhibits in this scientific visualization center
• Chemical Education Resource Shelf (Buyer’s Guide from Journal of Chemical Education)
• Gallery of Polymers and Polymer Simulations
• Macrogalleria: A Cyberland of Polymer Fun
• PolyEd: National Information Center for Polymer Education
• National Plastics Center and Museum
• Online Macromolecular Museum
• Polymer Science Learning Center (Univ. S. Mississippi)
• Polymers and Liquid Crystals Includes virtual textbook. (Case Western Reserve)
• Polymers and People: An Informal History
• 3D Virtual Chemistry Library

Electronic Journals

Search SearchWorks, Stanford’s Library Catalog, for the most up-to-date information to determine if the Stanford Libraries own a print or electronic journal. Catalog records have a hot link in them.

• E-Journals in the Stanford University Libraries
• HighWire Press: Free Online Full-Text Articles
• All That JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources
• Chemistry 2000: Two Thousand of the Best Chemistry Sites (Includes E-Journals. Compiled by Cambridge Univ.)
• Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory. Limited to Stanford users. Use Ulrich's to identify where your favorite journals are indexed.

Handbooks and Data

• A Compilation and Evaluation of Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Properties of Selected Polymers (1973). Swain Ref QD381.S3 f
• Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database and the NASA Archive for Protein Crystal Growth Data
• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Limited to Stanford users.
• CRC Handbook of Polymer-Liquid Interaction Parameters and Solubility Parameters. Swain QD381.9 .S65B37 1990
• Database of Macromolecular Movements
• Desk Reference of Functional Polymers: Syntheses and Applications. Swain Ref QD281 .P6 D47 1997
• ENGnetBASE: Engineering Handbooks Online. Limited to Stanford users.
• Gmelin Handbook of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds. This database includes about 20,000 polymer records.
• Handbook of Analysis of Synthetic Polymers and Plastics (1977). Swain TP1140 .A4713
• Handbook of Conducting Polymers. Swain QD382 .C66 H36 1986
• Handbook of Diffusion and Thermal Properties of Polymers and Polymer Solutions. Swain QD381.9 .P45 H36 1998
• Handbook of Polymer Degradation, 2nd Edition (2000). Swain (on order).
• Handbook of Polymer Degradation. Swain QD381.9 .D47 H36 1992
• Handbook of Polymer Science and Technology. 4 vols. Swain Ref QD388 .H36 1989
• Handbook of Polymer Synthesis. 2 vols. Swain Ref TP1130 .H37 1991
• Handbook of Polymer Testing: Physical Methods. Engineering TA455 .P5 H352 1999
• Handbook of Polymeric Foams and Foam Technology. Swain TP1183 .F6 H36 1991
• Material Safety Data Sheets. Limited to Stanford users.
• MatWeb: The Online Materials Information Resource
• NIST Chemistry WebBook
• Physical Constants of Linear Homopolymers (1968). Stanford Auxiliary Library QD381 .L48
• Plastics Technology Materials Selection Database
• PoLyInfo Database
• Polymer Data Handbook. Swain Ref TA455 .P58 P675 1999
• Polymer Handbook, 4th edition. Swain Ref QD388 .P65 1999
• Polymers: a Property Database. In CHEMnetbase. Limited to Stanford users.
• Polymers: An Encyclopedic Sourcebook of Engineering Properties. Engineering TA455 .P58 P695 1987
• Relating Materials Properties to Structure. Engineering TA455 .P58 D38 1999
• Riegel’s Handbook of Industrial Chemistry. Swain Ref TP145 .R54 1992
• Table of the Properties of 200 Linear Macromolecules and Small Molecules
• Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium Data of Binary Polymer Solutions. Swain QD381.9 .S65W64 1994

Historical Resources

• American Plastic: A Cultural History. Swain & Green Stacks TP1117 .M45 1995
• The Chain Straighteners (1979). Swain TP1087.M3
• The Development of Plastics. Swain TP1116 .D48 1994
• Early Plastics: Perspectives, 1850-1950. Green Stacks TP1116 .E27 1997
• History of Polymer Science and Technology (1982). Engineering QD380 .H57
• History of Science, Technology, and Medicine. Database; Limited to Stanford users.
• Inventing Polymer Science: Staudinger, Carothers, and the Emergence of Macromolecular Chemistry. Green Stacks QD381 .F87 1998
• Mold of Fortune: Lionel B. Kavanagh and the First Half Century of Plastics (1959). Business TP140 .K35 K4
• Pioneers in Polymer Science. Swain TP1119.A1P56 1989
• Plastic: The Making of a Synthetic Century. Green Stacks TP1116 .F46 1996
• Polymer Pioneers. Green Library Stacks TP1116.M67 1986
• Polymers and People: An Informal History. Print version also in Green Stacks QD281 .P6 E44 1986
• Polymers: The Origins and Growth of a Science. Swain QD381.M663 1985

Nomenclature

• Compendium of Macromolecular Nomenclature. Swain Ref QD380.6.M47 1991
• Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)
• Polymer Nomenclature (ACS Div. Polymer Chemistry)
• IUPAC: Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature (IV.1)

Chemical Names, Synonyms & Tradenames

• Chemical Acronyms Database
• Chemical Products Desk Reference. Swain Ref TP9.A84 1990
• Chemical Tradename Dictionary. Swain Ref TP9.A73 1993
• Chemical Tradename Dictionary. Swain Ref TP9.A73 1993
• Dictionary of Chemical Names and Synonyms. Swain Ref TP9.H65 1992
• Gardener’s Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names, 9th edition. Swain Ref TP9.G286 1987
• Encyclopedia of Chemical Trademarks and Synonyms. 3 vols. Swain Ref TP9.B4 1981
• Guide to Polymer Abbreviations
• Guide to Polymer Tradenames
• Index of Polymer Trade Names, 2nd edition. Swain Ref T223.V4 C5 1992
• Industrial Chemical Thesaurus, 2nd edition. 2 vols. Swain Ref Z695.1.C5I52 1992

Spectral Resources

• Applications of Polymer Spectroscopy (1978). Swain QC463.P5.A66
• Atlas of Polymers and Plastics Analysis. Swain Ref QD139.P6 H8 1991 f v. 1, pt 1-2
• Carbon-13 NMR in Polymer Science (1979). Swain QD272.S6.C37
• 13C NMR Spectroscopy. Swain QD96.N8B7313 1984
• Dielectric Spectroscopy of Polymers (1977). Swain QC463.P5H43
• High Resolution XPS of Organic Polymers. Swain Ref QD139.P6 B43 1992
• The Infrared Spectra Atlas of Monomers and Polymers (1980). Swain Ref QC463.P5I53
• Infrared Spectra of Polymers in the Medium and Long Wavelength Regions (1966). Physics TP156.P6H8
• Infrared Spectroscopic Atlas of Polyurethanes (Including Model Compounds). Swain QC463.P55 D55 1989
• Infrared Spectroscopy of High Polymers (1964). Stanford Auxiliary Library 535.842 .Z39
• Introduction to the Spectroscopy of Biological Polymers (1976). Biology QC463.P5.I57
• NMR Spectra of Polymers 1H-13C. Swain Ref QC463.P5P45 1980
• NMR Spectroscopy of Polymers, 1st edition. Swain QC463.P5 N57 1993
• Polymer Sequence Determinations (1977). Swain QC463.P5.R36
• Proton and Carbon NMR Spectra of Polymers. Swain Ref QC463.P5 P76 1991 f
• The Raman Spectra of Polymers. Swain Ref QC462.P5 H45 1993 f
• Synthetic Mass Spectrometry Polymer Project (NIST)
• The Theory of Vibrational Spectroscopy and Its Application to Polymeric Materials (1982). Swain QC463.P5P34

Stanford Links

• Stanford University
• Center on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies
• Chemical Engineering Department
• Chemistry Department
• Environmental Health and Safety Department
• Research Centers and Institutes at Stanford
• Stanford Bookstore
• Stanford Directories
• Emergency Preparedness at Stanford

Related Links

• Toolbox
• Encyclopedias
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