27581 - Chemistry and Technology of Polymeric Materials

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Chemistry and Materials Chemistry (cod. 8006)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this Course the student is able to evaluate the main parameters that influence the performance of polymeric materials during use and during processing: The student has gained knowledge of the principles of melt rheology, of the main industrial polymer processing technologies and of the environmental impact and recycling of plastics. In particular the student will be able to design and to characterize polymeric objects through the choice of the useful processing technology. In additon the student will have practical knowledge of the most common solid-state characterization techniques of polymeric materials.

Course contents

The following topics will be part of this course:

1) Thermal and oxidative degradation processes. 

2) Additives (plasticizers, heat stabilizers, flame retardants) for polymeric materials. 

3) Melt rheology: molecular and technological aspects. Viscoelasticity of polymer melts. Viscosity dependence on temperature, pressure, structural parameters and test conditions. 

4) Industrial processing technologies of synthetic polymers (extrusion, forming, injection, etc.). 

5) Plastics and environment. Recycling (mechanical, chemical, incineration) of heterogeneous and homogeneous plastics.

6) Solid-state characterization techniques of polymeric materials: thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical tests. Exrcises on thermogravimetric and calorimetric analysesof polymers; isothermal crystallization of polymers in the hot-stage of optical microscope; stress-strain mechanical tests.

Readings/Bibliography

Chapters relative to the different subjects of the course in:

- “Fondamenti di Scienza dei polimeri” M.Guaita et al. Ed. Pacini, Pisa,1998

- “Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici” S. Brukner et al. Ed. Edises, Napoli, 2001

Teaching methods

Room lectures. The students will be provided with copy of the material shown during lecturing. Presentations will be available for the students through AMS Campus.

Room exercises with periodical evaluation. A visit to a industrial company working in relation to the topic of the course. 

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is based on room exercises on characterization techniques, on a power point presentation on the life cycle of a material, and on oral examination at the end of the course. The oral examination will last around 30-40 minutes. The oral examination will be based on three questions: (i) a question on chemical-physical and rheological properties of polymeric materials, (ii) a question concerning one of the processing technology, (iii) a question on the recycling of polymeric materials.

Teaching tools

Lectures with the aid of PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Letizia Focarete