Introduction to Polymers

Course details

Polymers are a group of materials made up of long covalently bonded molecules, which include plastics and rubbers. The use of polymeric materials is increasing rapidly year by year and in many applications they are replacing conventional materials such as metals, wood and natural fibers. The aim of this course is to teach the trainees (Chemical/Mechanical engineers) the fundamentals of polymer science and engineering and to prepare them for operating and designing polymer relevance processes. 

Course Objective:

By the end of this course, the trainees should be able to:

• Differentiate between the types of polymers according to their physical, chemical and mechanical properties.
• Understand the relation between physical and mechanical properties of polymers and its internal structure.
• Design polymerization processes.
• Choose the suitable process for manufacturing a certain polymer based product.

Course Outline:-

Introduction to the course:

• The importance of polymers in our life.
• Defining Polymers
• Types of polymers according to their reaction to temperature, chemistry of synthesis and structure.

Stereoisomerism in vinyl and diene polymers. 

Crystalline and Amorphous polymers

Average molecular weights:

• Determination of average molecular weights by absolute methods.
• Determination of average molecular weights by relative methods

The Glass transition:

• Molecular motions in an amorphous polymer.
• Determination of glass transition temperature.
• Factors influencing the glass transition temperature.
• The glass transition temperature of copolymers.
• The thermodynamics of melting of polymer

Relation between mechanical and physical properties of polymers and its structure.

• Effect of molecular weight
• Effect of degree and distribution of crystallinity
• Effect of additives

Introduction to polymer synthesis

• Condensation polymerization
• Addition polymerization.
• Bulk polymerization
• Solution polymerization.
• Suspension polymerization.
• Emulsion polymerization.
• Comparison between the previous polymerization processes.

Polymer processing:

Introduction.

Extrusion.

• Screw geometry.
• Solids-Conveying Zone.
• Melting Zone.

Injection molding:

• Mold filling.
• Molding packing and Cooling

Blow molding. 

Calendering. 

Sheet forming.

Fiber spinning 

Who Should Attend?

This course is very useful for Engineers and Technicians working in the polymer industry.