Unit POLYMERIC MATERIAL AND MANUFACTURING

Course
Molecular and industrial biotechnology
Study-unit Code
A005468
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Luigi Torre
Teachers
  • Luigi Torre
Hours
  • 42 ore - Luigi Torre
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2025
Offered
2025/26
Learning activities
Affine/integrativa
Area
Attività formative affini o integrative
Sector
ING-IND/22
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
ENGLISH
Contents
The course will examine the main aspects of the characteristics, properties and technologies of polymeric materials. Starting from the definitions and chemical-physical characteristics of polymeric materials, the synthesis processes of polymers and their properties will be studied. Finally, the main processes for the production of polymeric products will be studied
Reference texts
Fondamenti di struttura, proprietà e tecnologia dei polimeri a cura di Enrico Pedemonte http://nuovacultura.it/catalogo/fondamenti-struttura-proprieta-tecnologia-dei-polimeri/
R. J. Young and P.A. Lowel: Indroduction to Polymers. Chapman ed.
F. Rodriguez: “Principles of Polymer Systems” Mc Graw Hill
Educational objectives
To provide the student with the basic knowledge of polymeric materials, their physical, chemical and mechanical behavior, and their processing
Prerequisites
Basic Chemistry, math and Physic
Teaching methods
Class lectures
Other information

Learning verification modality
Oral Exam
Extended program
Introduction. Structure, and classification: thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, homo and co-polymers, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. commodity polymers, techno polymers, biopolymers, and blends.
Synthesis of polymers.
Step polymerization: Introduction, reaction mechanism. Carothers theory, Flory theory (most probable distribution), kinetics, polyfunctional polycondensation: Carothers gelling theory and Flory gelling theory.
Chain polymerization: Reaction mechanism, kinetics, activation energy, average degree of polymerization, self-acceleration, chain transfer, effects of temperature, inhibition and delay.
Copolymerization: Classification of copolymers. Composition equation of a copolymer. Determination of the amount of unreacted monomer.
Viscoelasticity: Definitions. Variation of stress and strain over time. Maxwell model; Voigt (or Kelvin) model; Standard Linear Solid. Boltzman superposition principle.
Structure: Polymer crystals. Determination of the crystal structure. Semicrystalline polymers, spherulites, degree of crystallinity, crystal thickness and orientation, thermodynamics of crystallization and molecular mechanism, Hoffman theory. Avrami law. Melting, factors affecting the meting temperature
Structure. Amorphous polymers. Free volume theory and glass transition, Gordon-Taylor equation for copolymers. Dependence of Tg on the chemical structure, elastomers
Mechanical properties: “Yield” of polymers, phenomenology, necking, Pressure-dependent yield criteria. Dependence on strain rate and temperature
Viscoelasticity: Mechanical-dynamic tests. Torsion pendulum. Frequency dependence of viscoelastic behavior. Transitions and polymeric structures.
Rubber Elasticity
Rheology and Rheometry: rheological behavior of polymers viscosity measurement of polymer melts, time temperature superposition, Eq, WLF
Solubility polymers: solubility criteria for polymeric materials, solubility parameter, Flory Huggings theory.
Processing. Production processes of polymeric materials, Extrusion and co-extrusion basic concepts and operation. Fiber spinning and Filming: equipment and process modeling examples. Injection molding: principles of operation and main industrial problems.
Processing of Thermosetting Materials Thermosetting
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
None
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