Introductory description

N/A

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Main categories of polymers/plastics, industrial relevance/application
• Molecular composition of polymers
• Thermal Properties of polymers
  Glassy state and Glass-Rubber transition of polymers
  Crystalline polymers
  Rubbery and Liquid phases of polymers
  Visco-Elasticity behavior of polymers
  Plasticization of polymers
  Characterization (DSC/TGA/XRay etc.) of polymers
• Mechanical properties
  Tensiometric measurements of polymers
  Rheological properties of polymers
  Determination of mechanical properties of polymers
  Concepts of stiffness, strength, strain and toughness
  Static mechanical properties, impact and tear testing
  Dynamic mechanical properties (creep, stress relaxation, hysteresis) and measurement
• Further properties (electrical, optical)
• Advanced Polymer Characterization
  Electron microscopies (TEM, SEM and other combination techniques including EDAX)
  Advanced scattering techniques including WAXS, SAXS from solution and solid state
  Synchrotron methods and applicability to industrial polymers
• Polymer compounding
  Network Polymers
  Current theories
  Polymer blends
  Block copolymers
• Solution self-assembly of block copolymers. Commodity verses non-commodity polymers
• Polymer processing
  Extrusion
  Injection moulding
  Resin Transfer mouding
  *Nanocomposites
  Natural/synthetic composites
  Carbon Nanotube composite materials
  2-dimensional nanocomposites ( including graphenics)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the chain conformation and its effect on macroscopic properties of polymers.
• Demonstrate understanding of the parameters affecting thermal and mechanical properties of polymers and the methods to characterize the thermal and mechanical properties.
• Understand, characterize and interpret the phase separation of polymer blends or block copolymers.
• Understand a range of polymer processing techniques and be able to critically evaluate their appropriateness for different applications.
• Understand the reasons (physical) for when selecting polymers for bulk material properties
• Demonstrate an understanding of the composition and how to obtain advanced nanocomposite materials
• Understand a range of polymer processing techniques and be able to critically evaluate their appropriateness for different applications.
• Demonstrate understanding of the need , and how to interpret, high-resolution imaging and diffraction data in the context of polymer and composite structure
• Understand the processes and requirements for polymer processing

Indicative reading list

A.K. van der Vegt, From Polymer to Plastics, 2006, ISBN 978-90-71301-62-9
M. Rubinstein&R. H. Colby, Polymer Physics, Oxford, 2003, ISBN 019852059X
DG Baird, DI Collias, Polymer Processing: Principles and Design, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2014.

Subject specific skills

Subject knowledge and understanding:

• Understand the chain conformation and its effect on macroscopic properties of polymers.
• Demonstrate understanding of the parameters affecting thermal and mechanical properties of polymers and the methods to characterize the thermal and mechanical properties.
• Understand, characterize and interpret the phase separation of polymer blends or block copolymers.
• Understand a range of polymer processing techniques and be able to critically evaluate their appropriateness for different applications.
• Understand the reasons (physical) for when selecting polymers for bulk material properties
• Demonstrate an understanding of the composition and how to obtain advanced nanocomposite materials
• Understand a range of polymer processing techniques and be able to critically evaluate their appropriateness for different applications.
• Demonstrate understanding of the need , and how to interpret, high-resolution imaging and diffraction data in the context of polymer and composite structure
• Understand the processes and requirements for polymer processing

Key Skills:

• Communicate verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate understanding of the applicability of different techniques to analyse composite materials and different polymeric materials
• Demonstrate the ability of literature search and reporting of experiments
• Manage time effectively

Cognitive Skills:

• Critically analyse data
• Comprehensively assess errors in data
• Test hypotheses using experimental data
• Interpret results using information from literature.
  Subject-Specific/Professional Skills:
• Follow good and safe practice in the laboratory.
• Demonstrate labroaotry skills in the analysis of bulk polymer materials
• Produce clearly written and original scientific reports.
• Research and reference relevant literature.

Transferable skills

TBC