~() Book reviews

Although a wealth of information on composites, in the widest sense, is contained therein, the text suffers from the obvious shortcomings, i.e. trying to cover too wide a subject area within a finite space. However, notwithstanding these limitations, the book does provide an extensive list of references, should the reader wish to pursue any particular topic.

In summary, as a unified reference book for global aspects of com- posites, the book deserves a place in technical libraries. With respect to detailed information on particular aspects of composite materials, it has obvious limitations.

A.M.S.

Polymers for Fibers and Eiastomers. Symposium Series 260. Edited by Jett C. Arthur, Jr. 1983. American Chemical Society, Washington DC, ISBN 0 8413 0859 X. Price: US & Canada US$69.95; export US$83-95.

Based on a Symposium sponsored by the Macromolecular Secretariat at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, DC in August 1983, this volume forms the proceedings of that meeting.

Essentially this text considers the production of polymer fibres in the widest context (textile fibres, tyre cords, high-performance thermoplastic fibres, etc.), elastomers and recent attempts at characterising fibres. Al though of more immediate interest to polymer engineers, industrial chemists, etc., it should form a useful addition to background reading for those more interested in structural aspects of composites.

Well produced, interesting and readable, the only reservation this reviewer has is its relative expense.

A.M.S.