Fully updated and revised, this new edition of a highly regarded book combines introductory material with comprehensive coverage of the properties of solid polymers. All aspects of mechanical behavior are discussed, including finite elastic behavior, linear viscoelasticity and mechanical relaxations, mechanical anisotropy, non-linear viscoelasticity, yield behavior, and fracture. New to this edition is coverage of polymer nanocomposites and molecular interpretations of yield. Polymer scientists and engineers will learn how different polymers behave under stress and how to choose the right polymer for the job.