Book excerpt: This book discusses the diverse array of particles that are found in coatings from both a physical and a performance standpoint. It also describes the fundamentals of particle behavior and shows how these affect the performance and properties of their end-use applications. It consists of nineteen chapters, demonstrating the wide range of types of particles found in coatings as well as the diversity of the important attributes they hold. The authors also present a forward looking view of current issues and trends in the coatings industry. In addition, a chapter on the use of particles in paper laminate, a closely aligned field, is included. This book is of interest to formulators of any type of coatings as well as researchers in aligned fields that use high volumes of small particles, such as the plastics and paper industries.