Handbook of Material Weathering 6th Edition

Handbook of Material Weathering 6th Edition

Author: George Wypych
ISBN 978-1-927885-31-4

Published: 2018
Pages: 972+x
Figures: 807
Tables: 66

$350.00

The 6th edition of Handbook of Material Weathering contains a systematic update of knowledge generated in more than last 25 years since the 1st edition was published. For example, in the last 5 years, more than 8,000 new papers (30 new papers per week) have been published on the material weathering, some of them having high importance for the weathering studies.

The information required for the professional use has been growing so rapidly that additional books had to be written to accommodate essential knowledge for implementation in technological processes used to manufacture products, which deteriorate on exposure to weathering stress factors (see more information on these titles in Preface).

This edition contains 22 chapters, which can be divided into the following groups:
• Theory (photophysics and photochemistry)
• Stress factors (parameters of exposure, measurements in assessment of weathering conditions, and climatic conditions)
• Methods of weathering (laboratory degradation studies, weathering cycles, sample preparation, weathering data interpretation, lifetime prediction, and artificial weathering versus natural exposure)
• Methods of testing of weathered samples (effect of weathering on material properties and testing methods of weathered specimens)
• Weathering of polymers (data on 52 most important polymers, including mechanisms of degradation, effect of thermal history, characteristic changes in properties with graphical illustrations, and tables with numerical data)
• Weathering of products (data on 42 groups of industrial products, including their required durability, lifetime expectation, relevant degradation mechanisms, and characteristic changes with graphical illustrations)
• Effect of additives on weathering (12 groups of additives are discussed)
• The most popular UV stabilizers, biocides, and preservatives used in protection of polymers, plastics and rubbers and the general principles of degradation, biodeterioration, and stabilization
• Effect of environmental stress cracking (parameters controlling ESC, mechanisms, methods of testing, and effect on materials)
• Specific topics (suitability of weathered materials for recycling, interrelation between corrosion and weathering, and methods of study and prevention of deterioration of historical monuments made out of stone)

The above information is based on the thorough review of published papers, patents, and other relevant sources updated by the most recent data and information.


The set of monographic sources (see more information in Preface below) was prepared for research chemists in the photochemistry field, chemists and material scientists designing new materials, users of manufactured products, those who control the quality of manufactured products, and students who want to apply their knowledge to real materials. The books are used by regulating agencies and patent and litigating attorneys.

Handbook of Material Weathering is now used in more than 100 countries. It should be pointed out that many readers still use the earlier editions (as seen from the numerous citations) which lack the current information or even, more detrimental, contain outdated information which has been superseded by the more recent findings. In this fast-growing field, the access to the most recent information cannot be overemphasized. For this very reason, a new edition of this book is prepared every five years.


The first edition of this book was published by ChemTec Publishing in 1990. The book had 18 chapters and 518 pages filled with the most up-to-date information on the subject of material weathering available in 1990.

Considering the size of the book and typesetting, the present edition is at least 3 times larger, in spite of the fact that two chapters were omitted from the fourth edition: Chapter 17. Stabilization and Stabilizers and Chapter 18. Biodegradation. Even without these, two chapters the 5th edition was larger than the previous 4th edition. The reason is quite obvious - the field is systematically growing with new data, methods, and discoveries happening every day. The 6th edition is updated by all new data and publications to produce a monograph containing all recent advances.
In response to requests by some users and changes in the available volume of the book by the printer (1200 pages can now be printed in one volume). The above mentioned two chapters are included in the 6th edition in their original form as they were published in the 4th edition. Information in these two chapters in most parts reflects the general understanding in these two areas of research and gives some general information on the subject. At the same time, it has to be pointed out that this field (especially biocides) changes very rapidly, therefore, several books are now available containing the up-to-date information in the following monographic sources:

Handbook of Material Biodegradation, Biodeterioration, and Biostabilization, 2nd Ed. by Falkiewicz-Dulik, M, Janda, K, and Wypych, G., ChemTec Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1-895198-87-4
The book contains 11 chapters each devoted to essential aspects related to biodegradation and biostabilization of materials and products. The comprehensive source of fundamental information and data is based on thousands of papers, patents, and information from biocide manufacturers.

Databook of Biocides, Wypych, A; Wypych, G, ChemTec Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1-895198-89-8
Databook of Biocides contains data on the selection of the most important biocides in use today. The selection includes biocides, which are approved for use in the European Union and the USA by the current regulations.



Databook of Preservatives, Wypych, A; Wypych, G, ChemTec Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1-895198-90-4
Databook of Preservatives contains data on preservatives used for products during storage and use. The following groups are included in the book: film preservatives, wood preservatives, fiber, leather, rubber and polymerized materials preservatives, construction material preservatives, preservatives for liquid cooling and processing systems, slimicides, and working or cutting fluid preservatives.

Handbook of UV Degradation and Stabilization 2nd Ed., by Wypych, G, ChemTec Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1-895198-86-7
The first monograph fully devoted to UV degradation and stabilization, ever published in the English language, has 12 chapters, each discussing different aspect of UV-related phenomena occurring when polymeric materials are exposed to UV radiation. Over 50 polymers and rubbers and 38 groups of final products, which use the majority of UV stabilizers, are discussed including methods of stabilization.

Atlas of Material Damage, 2nd Ed., Wypych, G, ChemTec Publishing, 2017, ISBN 978-1-927885-25-3
This book was written to emphasize the importance of the material structure in photodegradation and photostabilization and also to account for the morphological changes which occur when materials degrade. This book makes the narrative of material degradation more comprehensive, showing new ways to deal with unstable materials.

Databook of UV Stabilizers, Wypych, A; Wypych, G, ChemTec Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1-895198-88-1
The databook contains information on the most frequently used UV stabilizers. The information on each stabilizer included in the Databook of UV Stabilizers is divided into five sections: General information, Physical properties, Health and safety, Ecological properties, and Use & Performance.

I hope that the information provided in the present edition of Handbook of Materials Weathering and these six books will help readers to advance their studies on particular subjects of their research and that the results of these studies will be implemented in the future editions of these books, since we try to report all most current developments to foster future discoveries.

George Wypych
Toronto, 2017

George Wypych has a Ph. D. in chemical engineering. His professional expertise includes both university teaching (full professor) and research & development. He has published 17 books: PVC Plastisols, (University Press); Polyvinylchloride Degradation, (Elsevier); Polyvinylchloride Stabilization, (Elsevier); Polymer Modified Textile Materials, (Wiley & Sons); Handbook of Material Weathering, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Editions, (ChemTec Publishing); Handbook of Fillers, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Editions, (ChemTec Publishing); Recycling of PVC, (ChemTec Publishing); Weathering of Plastics. Testing to Mirror Real Life Performance, (Plastics Design Library), Handbook of Solvents, Handbook of Plasticizers, Handbook of Antistatics, Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives (1st and 2nd Editions), PVC Degradation & Stabilization, PVC Formulary, Handbook of UV Degradation and Stabilization, Handbook of Biodeterioration, Biodegradation and Biostabilization, and Handbook of Polymers (all by ChemTec Publishing), 47 scientific papers, and he has obtained 16 patents. He specializes in polymer additives, polymer processing and formulation, material durability, and the development of sealants and coatings. He is included in the Dictionary of International Biography, Who's Who in Plastics and Polymers, Who's Who in Engineering, and was selected International Man of the Year 1996-1997 in recognition for his services to education.