73529 - Polymer Science, Technologies and Recycling M

Academic Year 2019/2020

  • Docente: Andrea Saccani
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: ING-IND/22
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Environmental Engineering (cod. 8894)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Chemical and Process Engineering (cod. 8896)

Learning outcomes

The course provides notions on the correlations between chemical, mechanical and thermal behaviour of macromolecules and their structure and microstructure. The complete life-cycle of polymeric material is analysed and discussed.

Course contents

In order to gain the best results from the lessons, students should posses a basic knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as a general introduction to the different classes of materials. English is the language of the Course

 

Concept of macromolecule. Synthetic and natural polymers.

Polymers from renewable resources.

Polymerization.

Step-growth and Chain growth mechanisms. Kinetics. Examples.

Structure of polymeric chains. Conformations and configurations.

General relationships between structure and macroscopic properties.

Molecular weight. Definitions and experimental determination.

Size exclusion chromatography.

Crystallization, crystallizzation kinetics melting process. Amorphous phase and glass transition.

Mechanical properties.

Structure and temperature dependence. Ultimate properties. Elastic modulus. Yielding process. Shear yielding and crazing.

Viscoelastic behaviour Creep and stress relaxation processes.

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis.

Degradation. Causes and effects. Additives preventing degradation

Processing: extrusion and injection moulding

Recycling: problems and opportunities

Readings/Bibliography

“FUNDAMENTALS OF POLYMER SCIENCE”

P.C. PAINTER, M.M. COLEMAN

Editor TECHNOMIC

“POLYMERS: CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF MODERN MATERIALS”

COWIE

Editor BLACKIE

“PRINCIPLES OF POLYMER ENGINEERING”

Mc CRUM

Editor: OXFORD SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS

Teaching methods

Lectures according to timetable

Laboratory lesson: mechanical tests, thermal analysis and Melt Flow Index determination.

Assessment methods

Final written exam (English language).

The exam (lasting about 1.5 hours) is made of two parts: the first consists of two open questions concerning the topics of the course. The second consists of 10 true/false questions.Examples of previously proposed test are available at "Insegnamenti on line"

Teaching tools

PC and projector / blackboard

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Saccani

SDGs

Responsible consumption and production

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.