Polymer composites find a large number of applications in such diverse fields as aerospace, chemical industry, geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging, and automobiles. New strategies for developing high performance composites are of growing interest. This first systematic reference on the topic authored by leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions across the globe emphasizes the characteristics and dimension of the reinforcement. Divided into three volumes the first volume offers an introduction to polymer composites, discussing the state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities of various polymer composite systems, as well as preparation and manufacturing techniques. The authors, leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions across the globe, adopt a practical approach, covering such aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties and theory of polymer composites. weiterlesen