This free course, Introduction to polymers, examines the use of polymers and demonstrates how their properties are controlled by their molecular structure. You will learn how this structure determines which polymer to use for a particular product. You will also explore the manufacturing techniques used and the how the use of polymerisation can be used to control the structure of polymers.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Polymer materials
- 1 Polymer materials
- 1 1The growth of poymers
- 1.2 Polymer types
- 1.2.1 Natural and synthetic rubbers
- 1.2.2 Thermoplastics and thermosets
- 1.2.3 Consumption of plastics
- 1.3 Product design and manufacture
- 1.3.1 Parts consolidation
- 1.3.2 Human/product interaction
- 1.3.3 Speciality sectors
- 2 Molecular engineering
- 2 Molecular engineering
- 2.1 Understanding the polymer state
- 2.2 Chain repeat units
- 2.3 Chain configuration
- 2.3.1 Structural isomerism
- 2.3.2 Chain branching
- 2.3.3 Geometrical isomerism
- 2.3.4 Stereoisomerism
- 2.3.5 Repeat unit placement
- 2.3.6 Copolymers
- 2.4 Chain conformations
- 2.5 Structure-property relationships
- 2.5.1 Homologous series
- 2.5.2 Polymer families
- 2.5.3 Structure and the glass transition temperature
- 2.5.4 Melting and structure
- 2.6 Molecular mass distribution
- 2.7 Commercial polymers
- 2.7.1 Thermosets
- 3 Manufacture of monomers
- 3 Manufacture of monomers
- 3.1 Primary sources of synthetic polymers
- 3.2 Petrochemical processing
- 3.2.1 Thermal cracking
- 3.2.2 Ethane cracking
- 3.3 Petrochemical intermediates and monomers
- 3.3.1 Ethylene, propylene and butadiene
- 3.3.2 Benzene, toluene and xylene
- 3.3.3 Higher aromatics
- 3.4 The petrochemical industry
- 4 Polymerization
- 4 Polymerization
- 4.1 Understanding the polymerization process
- 4.2 Chain and step growth
- 4.3 Chain growth polymerization
- 4.3.1 Initiation
- 4.3.2 Propagation
- 4.3.3 Termination and transfer
- 4.3.4 Ionic polymerization
- 4.3.5 Co-ordination polymerization
- 4.4 Step growth polymerization
- 4.5 Copolymerization
- 4.5.1 The copolymer equation
- 4.5.2 Commercial copolymers
- 4.6 Polymer grades
- 4.6.1 Prices of polymers
- 4.6.2 Material costs in manufacturing
- 5 Physical properties of polymers
- 5 Physical properties of polymers
- 5.1 The behaviour of polymers
- 5.2 Viscoelasticity of polymers
- 5.2.1 Elastic and viscoelastic behaviour
- 5.2.2 Viscous behaviour
- 5.3 Viscoelasticity and master curves
- 5.3.1 Time-temperature superposition
- 5.3.2 Effects of structure on viscoelasticity
- 5.4 Dynamic mechanical properties
- 5.5 Orientation in polymers
- 5.5.1 Non-uniform mixtures
- 5.5.2 Molecular orientation
- 5.6 Crystallisation of polymers
- 5.6.1 Morphology of polymer crystallites
- 5.6.2 Structure and crystallinity
- 5.6.3 Conformation and crystallinity
- 6 Design in polymers
- 6 Design in polymers
- 6.1 A fresh approach?
- 6.2 Manufacturing and process methods
- 6.3 Materials selection
- 6.3.1 Prototyping
- 6.4 Case history: the Topper boat
- 6.4.1 Materials selection
- 6.4.2 Manufacturing the boat
- 6.5 Market experience
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
