Applied Materials Science and Engineering
Full course description
This course discusses several of the topics introduced in the mandatory course “Principles in Materials Science and Engineering” (BBM1003) and highlights recent advances and extended views on the topics;
- Structure property relations in polyesters synthesized from macrolactones
- Mechanical performance of semi-crystalline polymers
- Influence of polymer composition on the crystallization behavior
- Thermodynamics of dissolution, mixing, and blending of polymers
- Crystallization and performance of polymer blends and mixtures
- Effects of (crystallization) morphology on performance
Through combined theory from the book Polymer Physics, review papers (links supplied on Eleum), and discussions, the students will be made aware of the effects of crystallization, phase separation and ensuing morphologies on mechanical performance on materials. Special focus is on employing the established theory and analytical insights to predict properties and performance of biomaterials. In short, this elective course continues to build the four pillars introduced in BBM1003, being:
(i) chemical structure;
(ii) characterization of polymers;
(iii) phase structure and morphology;
(iv) macroscopic properties of bulk polymers.
Several processing and characterization techniques will be discussed in the course, including extrusion, injection molding, fiber spinning, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, polarization optical microscopy, mechanical testing and x-ray diffraction.
Course objectives
The course aims to make students aware of the different structure–property relations in thermoplastic polymeric materials, in particular for polymer blends. As the end of the course students;
- know and are able to apply the theory related to 1) the Flory Huggins Lattice Model, 2) solution phase diagrams, 3) polymer miscibility, 4) phase stability, and 5) thermodynamics of dissolution and phase transitions, to identify the morphology of polymer blends.
- know the theory related to the formation of 1) chain-folded crystals, 2) non-periodic layer crystals, and 3) extended chain crystals, and are able to translate these concepts to the thermal and mechanical properties of polymeric materials and blends after processing.
- Know the effect of plasticizers, nucleating agents and reinforcing fillers on thermoplastic polymers and are able to design polymer blends with controlled thermal and mechanical performance using these additives.
- Know the theory related to x-ray diffraction and scattering of polymer materials and are able to identify and predict blend and crystallization morphologies from 2D x-ray diffractogram, and vice-versa.
- have theoretical understanding and the ability to perform extrusion, injection molding, optical microscopy, thermal analysis, spectroscopy and scattering analysis techniques for the generation of polymer blends and identification of their morphology.
- are able to 1) design and execute experiments and 2) employ the generated experimental findings to provide scientific argumentation required to prove or disprove a hypothesis.
Recommended reading
- Polymer Physics, M. Rubinstein, R.H. Colby, Oxford Univ. Press
- http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ma048884k
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02419
- http://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.882522
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079670011001444
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/007967009400032W
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079670005000717
- http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ma035279t
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0032386192905528
- http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ma500433e
The list of literature is subject to change and depends on the actual content of the guest lectures.