Preface . List of Contributors . 1 General Concepts about Epoxy Polymers ( Jean-Pierre Pascault and Roberto J.J. Williams). 1.1 Polymerization Chemistry of Epoxy Monomers . 1.2 Transformations During the Formation of an Epoxy Network . 1.3 General Properties of Epoxy Networks . References . Part One New Polymers/Materials . 2 Thermoplastic Epoxy Polymers ( Jerry E. White). 2.1 Introduction . 2.2 Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxy Thermoplastics . 2.3 Fundamental Properties of Epoxy Thermoplastics . 2.4 Conclusions . Acknowledgments . References . 3 Epoxy Functional Acrylic Polymers for High Performance Coating Applications ( Carmen Flosbach and Roger Fugier). 3.1 Introduction . 3.2 Epoxy Functional Acrylic Polymers (Epoxy Acrylates) . 3.3 Synthesis of Epoxy Acrylates . 3.4 Design of Epoxy Acrylates as Film-forming Components in Coatings . 3.5 Cross-linking Reactions in Coating Systems . 3.6 Conclusions . References . 4 Epoxy Polymers Based on Renewable Resources ( Alessandro Gandini). 4.1 Introduction . 4.2 Synthesis and Polymerization of Monomers and Macromonomers Bearing Multiple Epoxy Functions . 4.3 Synthesis and Polymerization of Monomers Bearing a Single Epoxy Group . 4.4 Conclusions . References . Part Two (Nano)Structured Epoxy Networks . 5 Nanostructured Epoxies by the Use of Block Copolymers ( Sixun Zheng). 5.1 Introduction . 5.2 Formation Mechanisms of Nanostructures in Thermosets . 5.3 Morphologies of Epoxy Thermosets Modified With Block Copolymers . 5.4 Thermomechanical Properties of Nanostructured Thermosets . 5.5 Conclusions . References . 6 Self-Assembly of Epoxy-Based Polymers ( Cristina E. Hoppe and Roberto J.J. Williams). 6.1 Introduction . 6.2 Linear Nanostructured Epoxies . 6.3 Crosslinked Nanostructured Epoxies . 6.4 Possible Applications of Nanostructured Epoxies . References . 7 Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal, Thermotropic and Other Responsive Epoxy Polymers ( Agnieszka Tercjak and Inaki Mondragon). 7.1 Epoxy-Based Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal . 7.2 Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Prepared by PIPS . 7.3 Block Copolymers Used as a Polymer Dispersing Agent for Liquid Crystal . 7.4 Epoxy Polymers Based on Azo-Benzene Organic Molecules . 7.5 Conclusions and Perspectives . References . 8 POSS and Other Hybrid Epoxy Polymers ( Libor Matejka). 8.1 Introduction . 8.2 Epoxy-Silica Hybrids . 8.3 Epoxy - POSS Hybrids . 8.4 Conclusions . Acknowledgment . References . 9 Lamellar Silicate-Modified Epoxies ( Jannick Duchet-Rumeau and Henry Sautereau). 9.1 Introduction . 9.2 Structure and Properties of Lamellar (Phyllo) Silicates . 9.3 Morphologies of Lamellar Silicates-Polymer Nanocomposites . 9.4 Chemical Modification of Lamellar Silicates for Epoxy Networks . 9.5 Dispersion and Structuration of Lamellar Silicates in the Initial Formulation . 9.6 Structuration of Lamellar Silicates in a Reactive Medium . 9.7 Mechanical Properties of Lamellar Silicates-Modified Epoxies . 9.8 Ternary Blends Based on Epoxy/Layered Silicates . 9.9 Barrier Properties of Nanoclay-Modified Epoxies . 9.10 Conclusions . References . 10 Epoxy/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites ( Luyi Sun and Hung-Jue Sue). 10.1 Introduction . 10.2 Preparation of Epoxy/CNT Nanocomposites . 10.3 Properties of Epoxy/CNT Nanocomposites . 10.4 Summary and Outlook . References . Part Three Innovative Formulations and Processing . 11 Epoxy Adhesives: A View of the Present and the Future ( Senen Paz Abuin). 11.1 Introduction . 11.2 Requirements and Conditions for the Design of an Epoxy Formulation . 11.3 Criteria for Selecting Adhesive Formulations . 11.4 Conclusions and Perspectives . Acknowledgments . References . 12 UV-Cured Nanostructured Epoxy Coatings ( Marco Sangermano). 12.1 Introduction . 12.2 Organic-Organic Nanocomposite Epoxy Coatings . 12.3 Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Epoxy Coatings . 12.4 Conclusions . Acknowledgments . References . 13 Electron Beam Curing of Epoxy Composites ( Felipe Wolff-Fabris and Volker Altstadt). 13.1 Introduction to Electron Beam Curing . 13.2 Material's Features . 13.3 Manufacturing Process . 13.4 Perspectives . References . 14 Composite Processing: State of the Art and Future Trends ( Stephan Costantino and Urs Waldvogel). 14.1 Introduction . 14.2 Infusion . 14.3 Resin Transfer Molding . 14.4 Prepreg . 14.5 Alternative Mold Heating Methods . 14.6 Sheet Molding Compound (SMC)/Bulk Molding Compound (BMC) . 14.7 Filament Winding . 14.8 Pultrusion . 14.9 Expandable Epoxy Systems . 14.10 Conclusions and Trends for the Future . References. 15 Thermoplastic Curable Formulations ( Thomas Fine, Raber Inoubli, Pierre Gerard, and Jean-Pierre Pascault). 15.1 Introduction . 15.2 Typical Preparation of Thermoplastic Curable Formulations . 15.3 Rheological Behavior of Blends of Block Copolymer and Thermoset Precursors . 15.4 Choice of the Hardener . 15.5 Processing and Properties . 15.6 Conclusions . Acknowledgments . References . 16 Structural Epoxy Foams ( Lisa A. Mondy, Rekha R. Rao, Harry Moffat, Doug Adolf, and Mathew Celina). 16.1 Background . 16.2 Continuum-Level Model for Foaming Materials . 16.3 Material Models and Experiments to Populate Numerical Model . 16.4 Numerical Method . 16.5 Model Validation . 16.6 Discussion and Suggested Improvements to the Model . 16.7 New Foaming Strategies to Minimize Gravity-Induced Density Gradients . 16.8 Summary . Acknowledgments . References . 17 Self-Healing Epoxy Composites ( Michael W. Keller). 17.1 Introduction . 17.2 Sequestered Healing-Agent Systems . 17.3 Intrinsically Healing Materials . 17.4 Potential Applications of Self-Healing Materials in a Bio-Engineering Setting . 17.5 Outlook for Self-Healing Materials . References . Part Four Conclusions and Perspectives . 18 Conclusions and Perspectives ( Jean-Pierre Pascault and Roberto J.J. Williams). 18.1 Definitions of Epoxy Polymers . 18.2 New Monomers and Formulations . 18.3 Nanostructured Epoxies . 18.4 Engineering Properties . 18.5 Functional Properties . 18.6 Health-Related Issues . 18.7 Life-Cycle Assessment . References . Index .