Polymeric Materials

Full course description

A little more than a century ago, around 1910, a revolution in the field of materials started with the commercialization of synthetic polymers. A new era began – the so-called age of plastics. At that time, plastics were acclaimed seen as extraordinary materials, due to their remarkable properties such as durability, lightweight, and easy processability. Due to these characteristics, coupled with their competitive fabrication costs, polymers gradually substituted conventional materials, such as metals, ceramics, natural fibers, and wood. The application of polymeric materials showed exponential growth starting in the 1940s. Polymeric materials are currently used in countless applications and they are fundamentally important for the well-being of humanity, and they have been used in both ordinary and high-end products, from packaging to the aerospace industry.

The molecular structure of polymers is intimately related to their physicochemical (macroscopic) properties. Controlling the molecular structure – defined during the polymer's synthesis – allows the settings of the polymer properties and broadens their applications. Therefore, understanding their synthesis, flow-ability, thermos-physical characteristics, and structure-properties relationship help in the appropriate selection of polymeric materials according to the application`s requisites.

Furthermore, many processing and recycling techniques may be used to transform polymers. These techniques depend on the design, quality, and demand of the parts, as well as the polymer`s nature, among others, and affects the sustainability aspects of polymeric materials. This course will cover all the topics presented above and is an introduction to the fascinating field of polymeric materials.