MATL07028 2019 Materials for the Polymer Industry
This module will enable the student to examine the relationship between structures and properties of the main commodity plastics, examine the relationship between structure and properties of elastomers and to study the different types of polymerisation techniques
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the various methods of polymerisation available.
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the structure and properties of a range of commodity polymers.
Demonstrate a broad understanding of the structure and main properties of elastomers.
Demnonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the differences between the amorphous and crystalline state of polymers.
Demonstrate an understanding of compounding and the use of additives in both thermoplastics and elastomers.
Demonstrate an ability to carry out and interpret stress strain analysis.
Demonstrate an ability to carry out and interpret thermal transition analysis.
Indicative Syllabus
Introduction to Polymeric Materials:
Configuration of polymer chains, dependence of polymer structure, mechanical properties, and thermal properties upon the chemical nature of polymer molecules, stereoregularity and molecular interaction.
Amorphous state, glass transition temperature, its relationship to physical and mechanical properties, factors affecting Tg; molecular weight, diluents, presence of comonomer.
Crystalline state, formation of spherulites chain folding, lamellae and related structures. Factors affecting crystallisation, supercooling and annealing, additives. Effect of crystallinity on polymer properties.
Polymerisation: methods of polymerisation, mass, suspension, solution and emulsion, and types of polymerisation, formation of free radicals, free radical addition polymerisation, the kinetics of free radical polymerisation, copolymerisation reactions.
Ionic Polymerisation: Anionic and cationic. Ring opening polymerisation.
Stepwise Polymerisation: importance of functionality.
Polymer Materials: Polymer Compounds: Analysis of the major constituents in polymer compounds, introduction to the use of compounding additives with examples of each.
Thermoplastic Materials: Analysis of the relationships between properties, processing and applications of: polyolefins; styrenic and acrylic polymers; vinyl polymers; polyamides and polyacetals; cellulosics, fluorinated polymers; polyesters.
Thermosetting Materials: Properties and applications of phenolics, aminoplastics, epoxies, polyester resins.
Elastomers: Properties and major applications of natural rubber; synthetic crosslinkable elastomers
Indicative Practical:
Stress-strain behaviour in tension and flexure.
Fracture toughness properties-Charpy and Izod modes of deformation.
Determination of Tg and Tm and enthalpy of fusion using DSC.
Creep and stress relaxation studies of amorphous polymers.
Temperature and frequency dependence of dynamic mechanical properties.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Continuous Assessment | Coursework Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
2 | Practical Evaluation Practical / Oral | Coursework Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Final Exam Written Examination | Final Exam | UNKNOWN | 60 % | End of Term | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Part Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Distance Learning Suite | Online lecture | 1.5 | Weekly | 1.50 |
Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Preparation for online lecture | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Completion of continous assessment | 1.5 | Weekly | 1.50 |
Directed Learning | Not Specified | Reading / Assignment | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Supervision | Not Specified | Practical | 8 | Twice Per Semester | 1.07 |
Module Resources
Plastics Materials, Brydson, Butterworth 7th ed, 2001
Principles of Polymerisation, Odian, Wiley 4th Ed, 2004
Mechanical Properties of Solid Polymers, Ward and Sweeney, Wiley, 2012
Plastics Materials and Processes : A Concise Encyclopedia, Harper and Petrie, Wiley, 2003
Physical Polymer Science, Sperling, L.H., Wiley Interscience (4th Ed), 2006
Plastics Additives: An A-Z Reference, Geoffrey Pritchard, Chapman & Hall (2nd Ed), 2013
Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine, Ratner, Hoffman, Schoen and Lemons, Academic Press, (3rd Ed), 2012
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