FUNDAMENTALS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF POLYMER MATERIALS

The main learning objectives are to transfer information:

• Knowledge and understanding: Basic knowledge on the relationships between the structure of polymeric materials and their mechanical properties, on the technologies of transformation of polymeric materials, on the problems related to their production and recycling
• Knowledge and understanding: Importance of polymeric materials and their composites as materials and of the interfacing of a chemist with other professionals knowing in part their language and needs. Furthermore, to acquire the knowledge of engineering derivation methods that can be exploited to complete the analytical characterization of polymeric materials.
  Applied knowledge and understanding skills: Ability to apply what has been learned during the lectures in the exercises carried out during the course.
• Autonomy of judgment: Students learn to objectively evaluate what they have learned during lessons and exercises.
• Communication skills: Students acquire communication skills that are formed both during the lessons, thanks to a continuous verbal conversation with the teacher, and during the oral exam.
• Learning skills: Learning skills are assessed through the oral exam and exercises which are an important part of the course.

The course includes lectures (5 CFU), excercises and ongoing test (1 CFU). 

Properties that guide the selection of materials in engineering and structural applications. Price and availability of materials. Mechanical properties. Tensile tests. Elastic moduli: Linear and nonlinear elasticity. Physical basis of Young's modulus; Bond stiffness. Determination of Young's modulus. Hardness tests. Yield strength, tensile strength and ductility; Dislocations and yielding in crystals; Strengthening methods and plasticity of polycrystals; Continuum aspects of plastic flow; Fast fracture and toughness; Micromechanisms of fast fracture; Fatigue failure; Mechanism of fatigue. Fatigue design; Creep and creep fracture; Mechanisms of creep. Structure-property relationships. Outline of the theory of rubber elasticity. Viscoelastic properties of polymers. Constitutive equations. Compliance. Relaxation modulus. Dynamic mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical measurements and study the structure of polymers and transitions. Time-temperature equivalence principle. Viscoelastic models. Yield and molecular architecture. Eyring model. Failure criteria for yield. Crazing and failure criteria. Toughness. Mechanical principles of brittle fracture of polymers. Mechanical properties of the fibers. The processing technologies of polymeric materials. Elements of rheology. Viscosity. Newtonian and non-Newtonian behavior. Dependence of viscosity on shear rate. Dependence of viscosity on molecular mass. Dependence of viscosity on temperature and pressure. Phenomena of elasticity of the melt. Constitutive equations of viscoelastic polymers melted. Rheometers. Principles of operation of machinery processing of polymeric materials. Molding. Extrusion. Injection molding. Calendering. Blow molding. Thermoforming. Rotational molding. Resin transfer molding. Notes on 3D molding. Polymer composites. Fibers and matrices. Glass fibers. Carbon fibers. Aramid fibers. Size of the fibers for composites. Composite particle. Mechanical properties. Micromechanics of the lamina. Hand lay-up processes. Spray-up Molding. Vacuum bagging. Forming in an autoclave. Resin Transfer Molding. Filament winding. Pultrusion. Technologies for thermoplastic matrix composites. Nanofillers (carbon nanofibers, clay, nanosilica, carbon nanotubes, graphene) and their nanocomposites: preparation methods and performance. Recycling of polymeric materials. Materials-process-property relationships in processing of recycled polymer. Recycling of polyolefins. Re-stabilization of recycled materials and new recycling technologies.

Introduction to physical polymer science (L.H.Sperling – Wiley)

An Introduction to mechanical properties of solid polymers (I.M. Ward-J.Sweeney – Wiley)

Manufacturing processes for advanced composites (F.C. Campbell – Elsevier)

During the lesson period, learning will be verified by means of a written test that will cover the mechanical properties of materials and polymeric materials in particular. It will be held approximately in the first ten days of May. Passing the test will ensure that the final (oral) test will focus only on the topics not covered by the ongoing test. Once the lesson period is over, the evaluation will be carried out only through oral interviews.

During the year, seven (ordinary) exam sessions are scheduled plus four sessions reserved for out-of-course students.

During the periods allowed by the academic calendar it is also possible, by contacting the teacher by e-mail or by telephone, to arrange further exam interviews (on a weekly basis)

How to register for an exam session: Booking on the university portal The exam consists of the oral presentation of topics covered during the course.

The evaluation of the exam is based on the following criteria: level of knowledge of the required topics, expressive ability and language properties, ability to apply knowledge to simple case studies, ability to connect the different themes of the teaching program.

In order to ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities) referring teacher in their department.

Elastic moduli. Physical foundations of modulus.

Methods of material strengthening and plasticity.

Sudden fracture and toughness. Micromechanisms of sudden fracture.

Viscoelastic properties of polymers. Constitutive equations. Yielding.

Dynamic mechanical measurements and the study of polymer structure and transitions.

Viscoelastic models.

Mechanical principles of brittle fracture in polymeric materials. Mechanical properties of fibers.

Newtonian and non-Newtonian behavior.

Dependence of viscosity on deformation rate.

Dependence of viscosity on molecular weight.

Melt elasticity phenomena.

Constitutive equations of viscoelastic polymer melts.

Rheometers.

Molding. Extrusion. Injection molding.

Fibers and matrices. Glass fibers. Carbon fibers. Aramid fibers. Fiber formats for composites.

Particulate composites. Mechanical properties. Micromechanics of lamina.

Manual technologies. Autoclave forming. Resin Transfer Moulding forming. Filament winding. Pultrusion forming. Bag molding under pressure.

Nanofillers (carbon nanofibers; clays; nanosilica; carbon nanotubes, graphene) and their nanocomposites: preparation methods and performance.

Material-process-property relationships in recycling of polymers.

PET recycling.