Viscoelastic Properties of Poly itaconate s

Itaconic acid is a bifunctional monomer obtained by the fermentation process using Aspergilius itaconicus and Aspergillus terreus fungi [182,183], 

The variation of the nature of the ester group, depending on mono and diesters derivatives provides several different polymer series with very interesting properties [183-196], 

Polymerization of these monomers is commonly achieved by radical polymerization in solution and/or in bulk. Poly(monoitaconate)s may be considered as typical comblike-polymers depending on the length of the side chain in the case of aliphatic derivatives [191,192], 

The effect of the length of the side chain and the presence of the carboxylic group have been taken into account to explain the particular conformational behavior of some of these poly(itaconate)s [191,192], The effect of the length of the side group and the presence of the carboxylic group are the responsible of the particular conformational behavior of some poly(monoitaconate)s [191, 192], On the other hand poly(di-n-alkyl itaconate)s obtained from diester of itaconic acid and lower unbranched alcohols, show important changes in both solution and the solid state properties [182-185], 

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Summary In this chapter, a discussion of the viscoelastic properties of selected polymeric materials is performed. The basic concepts of viscoelasticity, dealing with the fact that polymers above glass-transition temperature exhibit high entropic elasticity, are described at beginner level. The analysis of stress-strain for some polymeric materials is shortly described. Dielectric and dynamic mechanical behavior of aliphatic, cyclic saturated and aromatic substituted poly(methacrylate)s is well explained. An interesting approach of the relaxational processes is presented under the experience of the authors in these polymeric systems. The viscoelastic behavior of poly(itaconate)s with mono- and disubstitutions and the effect of the substituents and the functional groups is extensively discussed. The behavior of viscoelastic behavior of different poly(thiocarbonate)s is also analyzed. 

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