66175 - Industrial Polymeric Products and Laboratory M

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to provide the student of knowledges concerning the main production processes of synthetic polymeric materials (thermoplastics, elastomers, resins, fibers), their applications and commercial relevance. The student will also be capable to predict the behaviour of polymeric products based on their chemical, physicochemical and structural features. The course involves lab activities concerning the characterization of commercial products.

Course contents

Basic knowledge of polymer chemistry, macromolecular synthesis, organic chemistry, general chemistry and physical chemistry

 

Polymers of industrial relevance: synthesis, production, transformation processes, applications of thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, elastomers. Additives and Stabilisers for polymeric materials. Synthesis and production of polyadducts and polycondensates for the textile industry. Composite Materials. Engineering polymers and advanced polymeric materials. The final part of the course analyses the closed loop market and the cascade markets for thermoplastics materials and thermosetting and rubbers.

Readings/Bibliography

H. Ulrich - Introduction to Industrial Polymers, Hanser Publ., 1993, Munich

The Chemical Industry, A. Heaton editor, Blackie Acad., London

AIM - Fondamenti di Scienza dei Polimeri, Pacini Editore, 1998, Pisa

Handbook of plastics Recycling, Ed. F. La Mantia, Rapra Technology Publisher, Shawbury, 2002

R. Lambourne "Paint and surface coatings: Theory and practice" Ed. John Wiley and Sons.

Teaching methods

The teaching activities are performed through lessons, training by written questions, visits to research and industrial laboratories. Laboratory activities on relevant topics are carried out in parallel.

Assessment methods

The verification of learning is carried out through a final written and oral exam in which the sufficiency threshold of the knowledge acquired by the candidate is ascertained concerning:

- the industrial production processes and the properties of synthetic polymeric products, used both as components of formulations and as constituents of thermoplastic, elastomeric, thermosetting resin-based products, and in the form of fibres, their application and commercial relevance;

- the behavior of industrial polymeric products on the basis of their chemical, chemical-physical and mechanical properties;

- correct approach to the characterization and identification of commercial products with complex polymer-based formulations through chemical and instrumental characterization techniques.

Attendance of the laboratory course is compulsory (almost 75%) in order to pass the exam. It will be verified by the teacher. Two weeks before taking the exam, the candidate will have to hand in the laboratory reports.

 

Teaching tools

The contents of the course are presented by pc videoprojections.Printed copies of the presented topics are made available to the students.

Office hours

See the website of Loris Giorgini

See the website of Elisabetta Salatelli

See the website of Massimiliano Lanzi