11257 - Chemistry and Technology of Polymers

Learning outcomes

The course of recover and recycle of polymeric materials aims to study the applications of the major commercial polymeric materials (polyolefins, polyamides, polystyrene, PVC, PET and blends) and to explore the state-of-the-art of their effects on the environment . The several methods and technologies for their reuse and recycling are exhaustively presented.

Course contents

Industrial Polymeric Materials, world production and use, their applications: termoplastics, thermosetting, rubbers, fibres, tecnopolymers, reinforced plastics and Special Polymers. Methods of pre-treatment (storage, size reduction units, washing, separation, agglomeration, regranulation, etc) before the recycling operations. The recycling plants that are used to sort and recycle raw materials from types of urban waste. Degradation of polymers. Additives and Stabilisers for polymeric materials. The mechanical recycling, the chemical recycling for the production of chemical products, the energy recovery from polymeric materials. The final part of the course analyses the closed loop market and the cascade markets for thermoplastics materials (polyolefins, PET, Polystyrene, polyamides, mixtures of plastics), thermosetting and rubbers.

Readings/Bibliography

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

Principles of Polymer Engineering, Oxforf Science Publications, second edition, 1997, authors: N.G. McCrum, C.P. Buckley, C.B. Bucknall

Teaching methods

The teaching activities are performed through lessons, training by written questions, visits to research and industrial laboratories.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment is performed through a final oral examination by which the achievement of a sufficient threshold of knowledges and abilities by the candidate is ascertained and evaluated.

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