Develops a consistent set of relations between the structure of polymers and their commercially important thermal and mechanical properties for engineering applications. All physical properties are traced back to their roots in the energy balance between intermolecular forces and external energy fields. The energy balance components are expressed quantitatively in terms of a small number of model parameters with a clear physical identity, which serve to characterize the structure of a polymer. Predictive equations are then derived for each property in terms of this consistent set of model structural parameters, allowing the relations between interesting properties to be identified quickly, and development programs to be focused into directions with the greatest chance of success. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Read Less