81900 - Polymeric Materials for Design

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the properties of plastic materials and their technologies, in the modern acceptation for design and sustainability, with main reference to the wide degrees of freedom offered by plastics in design.

At the end of the course the Student will:- know technical and perceptive-sensorial properties of plastics, their classification and main features; - be skilled in the creative design made using plastics as tools for innovation; -know and be able to apply the selection criteria for plastics in specific products; - be able to critically select materials following products needs, including environmental sustainability.

Course contents

• Introduction to the potential applications of plastic materials in the framework of industrial product design. Fundamentals of design with plastics. History of plastics development.
• The cycle of design: where materials selection matters. Criteria and methods for materials selection. Data sources. Multiple selection criteria. Optimisation of materials selection. Compromise solutions. Conjugated design of product, materials and production technology.
• The composition of industrial plastics: compounding and formulation with additives. Product and process additives.
• Durability and degradation
• Comparison between plastica and other classes of materials
• Mechanical properties of plastics
• Thermal properties of plastics
• Optical, aesthetic and sensorial properties of plastics
• Rheology and viscoelasticity
• Most relevant glassy and semicrystalline polymers
• Elastomers: crosslinked vs thermoplastic
• Bioplastics: bio-based and biodegradable polymers. Sustainable design using bioplastics. Bioplastics as tools for products innovation.
• Polymer processing technologies.
• polymer matrix composite materials and their related technologies
• functional polymers
• polymer recycling

Readings/Bibliography

• Slides prepared by the teacher and shared on the repository virtuale.unibo.it
• Barbara Del Curto, Claudia Marano, Maria Pia Pedeferri Materiali per il Design. Introduzione ai materiali e alle loro proprietà-. Seconda edizione Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures given in the classroom are supported by the used of slides and video-tutorials.

We make use of a "Portable Materials Database", a set of examples of materials and objects which are used to discuss selection strategies and properties of plastic materials.

Development of case studies.

PROMOTION OF SOFT SKILLS:

• innovation mood
• ability to promote ideas through communication
• public speaking
• working through assignment with strict deadlines

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by means of a final oral exam.

The oral session consists of at least 2 questions aimed to an analytical assessment of the expected learning outcomes, that are:

1.Knowledge of the main families of plastic materials, their properites and possible applications

2. Knowledge of the most relevant processing technologies for plastics

3. Knowledge of selection criteria for plastics for design and ability in making a proper selection for a specific case-study.

4. Knowledge of the physical, mechanical and degradation properties and durability of plastics.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject and a comprehensible use of technical language. A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject and an inappropriate use of technical language. Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic and deep understanding of the subject, a good capability of connecting different topics and a proper use of technical language.

Teaching tools

Slides prepared by the Professor.

Video tutorials to show processing technologies.

Lectures will be available in streaming also.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Fabbri