OVERVIEW

In this course the basic concepts of polymer science, synthesis and technology required to understand the relationships between molecular and structural features and the resulting properties are provided. The most important technologies of polymer processing are described, together with the main applications of the various classes of polymers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is an introductory course in polymer science aimed at:1) acquisition of the basic concepts about polymers and their structural and thermodynamic properties both in solution and in the solid state;  2) knowledge and understanding of the main techniques used for the characterization of polymeric materials both in solution and in the solid state;3) understanding of structure-property correlations of polymeric materials.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is focused to develop the student's ability to correlate the theoretical notions on polymeric materials with experimental data to formulate general criteria for their characterization and use. To pursue this goal, traditional lectures are always accompanied by concrete examples of everyday life and industrial practice.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures accompanied with exercises carried out by the teacher in the classroom. Lesson notes are uploaded to the corresponding AulaWeb page after their content has been developed in the classroom.

In order to facilitate the individual preparation of the students, verification tests and numerical exercises (with and without resolution) are uploaded to the corresponding AulaWeb page.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Generalities on polymers and polymeric materials and their classification.

Basics on polymers synthesis.

Molecular characterization techniques of polymers (osmometry, viscosimetry, light diffusion ultracentrifugation, gel permeation chromatography).

Solid state polymers: amorphous polymers (common amorphous polymers and their use, glass transition temperature and study of the parameters influencing it), semi-crystalline polymers (common semi-crystalline polymers and their use, the melting temperature and study of the temperatures influencing it, thermodynamics and kinetics of the melting-crystallization process), characterization techniques (densitometry, DSC, determination of crystallinity degree, TGA).

Polymers in solution: polymer-solvent interactions, the Flory-Huggins model.

Introduction to rheological properties of polymers in mass and in solution.

Introduction to polymeric blends.

Elastomers: thermodynamic and statistical study of elasticity.

Polymers for special purposes and technopolymers.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fondamenti di Struttura, Proprietà e Tecnologia dei Polimeri- Testi AIM - Edizioni Nuova Cultura, 2011

Fondamenti di Scienza dei Polimeri - M. Guaita, F. Ciardelli, E. Pedemonte - Pacini Editore, 2009

Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici - S. Bruckner, G. Allegra, M. Pegoraro, F.P. La Mantia- EdiSES, 2007

Fundamentals of Polymer Science – P. C. Painter, M. M. Coleman - Technomic Publishing Co., Inc. , 1997- 2nd edition.

Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials – J. M. G. Cowie – Blackie Academic & Professional, Chapman & Hull Eds., 1991 – 2nd edition. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARINA ALLOISIO (President)

MAILA CASTELLANO (President)

DAVIDE COMORETTO

MASSIMO OTTONELLI

SILVIA VICINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See information on the official website of the course (Manifesto degli Studi and scheduled timetable).

Class schedule

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination conducted by two teachers for a duration of at least 30 minutes.

The oral examination usually consists of three parts, which of them are evaluated as specified below:

- in the first part, the student has to face a problem with the use of polymer materials in order to verify his understanding and mastery of the course topics as well as his ability to apply the theoretical concepts to real situations; the first part is awarded a maximum rating of 15/30;

- in the second part, the student is required to describe in detail a characterization technique or a property-structure correlation model or a synthesis method; the second part is awarded a maximum rating of 10/30;

- in the third part, the student is asked to describe the characteristics and main areas of use of a polymers or a class of polymers; the third part is awarded a maximum rating of 5/30.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Goal of the assessment is to verify the understanding and mastery of the learning outcomes by the student. Otherwise, the student is invited to deepen his preparation also by taking advantage of further explanations by the teacher. As a quality assurance, the detailed program of the course is uploaded to the corresponding AulaWeb page, so that students can verify the correspondence between topics and learning outcomes.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Any pre-requisites are defined in the following documents: Regolamento Didattico and/or Manifesto degli Studi.However, it is suggested to have overcome the exams of General and Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.