Journal profile · Polymer Science
Polymer
ISSN 0032-3861 · eISSN 1873-2291 · Elsevier BV · ENGLAND · Biweekly · Founded 1960
Polymer: CAS Zone 2 · Chemistry (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 5.02; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,980; review about 84 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: 55%; 1,399 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Polymer is published by Elsevier BV and is in Zone 2 of Chemistry in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Polymer crystallization and properties, Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties and biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties, together about 37.2% of its articles. Its main subfields are Polymers and Plastics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The International Journal for the Science and Technology of PolymersPolymer is an interdisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing innovative and significant advances in Polymer Physics, Chemistry, and Technology. We welcome submissions on polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer hybrids, nanocomposites, characterisation and self-assembly. Polymer also publishes work on the technological application of polymers in energy and optoelectronics as well as biomedical applications. We also publish reviews, but only upon invitation from a member of the editorial team. Authors wishing to publish a review are encouraged to share their intended topic and scope with one of our editorial team members, who can provide feedback as to whether Polymer would be the right journal for the proposed review.Polymer’s main scope is covered but not limited to the following core areas:Polymer MaterialsNanocomposites and hybrid nanomaterialsPolymer blends, films, fibres, networks and porous materialsPhysical CharacterizationCharacterisation, modelling and simulation* of molecular and materials properties in bulk, solution, and thin filmsPolymer EngineeringAdvanced multiscale processing methodsPolymer Synthesis, Modification and Self-assemblyIncluding designer polymer architectures, mechanisms and kinetics, and supramolecular polymerizationTechnological ApplicationsPolymers for energy generation and storagePolymer membranes for separation applications, barrier packaging, and controlled deliveryPolymers for opto- and microelectronicsPolymers for biomedical applications*Theory and simulation papers should include or reference previously published experimental results. The scope of Polymer no longer includes the biomedical applications of polymers. We would strongly recommend that authors consider submitting these papers to our sister title European Polymer Journal.Polymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Polymer Science
Editor-in-chief Benny FreemanPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 45 in mainland China (about 45%); most named Mainland China 45, United States 24, Germany 9, Japan 8, United Kingdom 2 (101 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Polymer crystallization and propertiesMaterials Science15.9%
- Polymer Nanocomposites and PropertiesMaterials Science12.6%
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesMaterials Science8.6%
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis and CharacterizationChemistry7.7%
- Synthesis and properties of polymersMaterials Science6%
- Conducting polymers and applicationsMaterials Science4.9%
- Polymer composites and self-healingMaterials Science4.2%
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsEngineering3.6%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Chemistry Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Chemistry | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Polymer Science | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Chemistry Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Chemistry | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Polymer Science | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Chemistry Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Chemistry | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Polymer Science | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 5.02LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 5.1Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 7.4LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 7.4Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.83LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.98LetPub ·
- h-index
- 236LetPub ·
- h-index
- 341OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 28,634OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 4.69OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 9.8%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 13.97%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 1,250LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 42,055 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,241 | 253 | 667 |
| 2025 | 1,399 | 284 | 5,847 |
| 2024 | 1,207 | 323 | 11,539 |
| 2023 | 875 | 212 | 11,367 |
| 2022 | 1,031 | 228 | 16,649 |
| 2021 | 1,018 | 204 | 19,212 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
84 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 3.1 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 3.1 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 55%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 22 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 44 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 84 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,980 / EUR 3,720 / GBP 3,190 / JPY 493,640 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 4,100 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers8, by deadline
- 26th Polymer Networks Group Meeting: Advances, Challenges, and Sustainability of Polymer Networks and GelsDeadline
- Precision Macromolecular Engineering and Functional Self-Assembly: Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Axel H.E. MüllerDeadline
- POLYMER’s European Future Faculty and Researchers: 2026 Award WinnersDeadline
- Special Issue of the International Discussion Meeting on Polymer Crystallization 2026; Honoring Prof. Gert StroblDeadline
- Polymer Science and Engineering across Ibero-Latin AmericaDeadline
- Polymers in Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers: From Molecular Design to System IntegrationDeadline
- Advanced Manufacturing and Concepts For Functional Polymer Coatings, Thin Films, and InterphasesDeadline
- Special Issue in Memory of Prof. Donald R. PaulDeadline
What to prepare6 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Templates
- LaTeX and Word
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Required
Article types accepted7
- featured articlesPolymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.Length not stated
- original researchPolymer publishes original research from all areas of polymer science and technology, with emphasis on molecular or mesoscale interpretation of data. Papers fro…Length not stated
- original research papersPolymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.Length not stated
- regular articlePolymer publishes original research from all areas of polymer science and technology, with emphasis on molecular or mesoscale interpretation of data. Papers fro…Length not stated
- research insightsPolymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.Length not stated
- review articlesPolymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.Length not stated
- short communicationsPolymer publishes the following article types: original research papers, review articles, featured articles, short communications and Research Insights.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Elsevier Publishing Ethics Policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
preprint sharing allowed, not prior publication Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Biweekly
- Founded
- 1960
- ISSN
- 0032-3861
- Electronic ISSN
- 1873-2291
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Polymer
What CAS zone is Polymer in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Polymer is in Zone 2 of Chemistry, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Polymer Science. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Chemistry. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Polymer?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 5.02; CiteScore 7.4, h-index 341.
How long does peer review take at Polymer?
The publisher reports about 84 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 3.1 months; the community-reported acceptance is “55%”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Polymer?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Templates: LaTeX and Word; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Polymer based?
Of the 101 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 45 (about 45%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (45), United States (24) and Germany (9). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Polymer?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Polymer is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Polymer open access, and what is the APC?
Polymer is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,980.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .