Book excerpt: Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers explores the role of various surface phenomena in the structural and mechanical behaviour of amorphous and semicrystalline polymers. This book: Discusses the development of the interfacial surface in the deformation of polymers Examines the healing of interfacial surfaces in polymers Inspects the structure and properties of polymers in thin films and surface layers Evaluates the mechanism of inelastic deformation in glassy amorphous polymers Investigates strain softening and the phenomena taking place upon deformation of polymers in active liquid media Covers the Rehbinder effect, or the adsorption reduction of the strength of solids Describes the properties of polymers in environmental or solvent crazing Analyses the interaction of the highly developed surface of crazed polymers with diverse low- and high-molecular mass components Addresses the instability and self-organisation of surface layers in polymers and diverse polymer systems Presents theoretical speculations concerning the structurally mechanical behaviour of ‘a rigid coating on a soft substratum’ (RCSS) systems Assesses the stress–strain properties of the thin surface layers of polymers and the nanometric coatings deposited on their surfaces Highlights the efficacy of the approaches developed for RCSS systems for the analysis and description of natural phenomena Details the applied aspects of surface phenomena in the structurally mechanical behaviour of polymers Thus, Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers provides a useful framework for the development of new and innovative polymer-based materials.