93822 - Basics of Polymer Science and Composite Materials M

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Mechanical Engineering (cod. 5724)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to form the students in the development of chemical products, materials and processes in the polymer composites sector, through the study of their chemical and technological properties, their characteristic, structure-property relationships. At the end of the course, the student acquired knowledge regarding the industrial production processes and the properties of polymeric products and their composite materials, both as constituents of thermoplastic, elastomeric products, of thermosetting resins, and in the form of fiber, their application and commercial relevance. It is also able to interpret and predict the behavior of these products based on their chemical, chemical-physical, thermal and mechanical properties and to know and use the parameters necessary for the design and construction of polymer-based products. The course foresees the carrying out of practical activities on the thermal and mechanical analysis of polymeric materials whose objective is included in the acquisition of the necessary practice for a correct approach to the characterization and identification of commercial polymeric and composite products with complex formulation.

Course contents

1. Introduction, aim of the course and market of polymers and composites

2. definitions and structure of polymers

3. Main industrial polymers

4. Structure of polymeric solids and thermal properties

5. Additives for polymers and composites and properties

6. Mechanical properties

7. degradation, durability and aging test

8. rubbers and elastomeric properties

9. Rheology and viscoelasticity and measurement methods

10. Fibers and techno-fibers

11. Technologies for processing and forming polymeric materials

12. Composites and forming technologies

13. Recovery and recycling

14. Biopolymers and perspectives

15. 3D printing with polymers and composites

Exercises: thermal, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties Insights: speeches by industry experts on composite materials

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

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

SDGs

Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

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