Course syllabus

Course-PM

KPO021 KPO021 Polymer technology lp4 VT24 (7.5 hp)

The course is offered by the department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Examiner
Christian Müller christian.muller@chalmers.se

Eligibility
General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements
English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites
Colloids and Polymers (KTK106) or courses with equivalent polymer content. Completion of course KBT026 - Polymer Chemistry and Physics prior to KPO021 is recommended.

Aim
The aim of this course is to provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge about polymeric materials. The focus is mainly on processing of polymers as well as on the behaviour of different polymeric materials.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
1) Follow a formal design procedure of a plastic item or device.
2) Correlate the mechanical and chemical properties of a polymer with the demands put on a device, and be familiar with relevant expressions in this field.
3) Describe the properties and application areas of various polymers.
4) Explain the concepts of rheology and how it affects the processing methods and parameters.
5) Choose a suitable polymer for a specific application, and present arguments for the choices based on the polymer- and device properties.
6) Describe the most important methods of polymer processing.
7) Explain the main principles of fibre and rubber technology.
8) Define and describe the concept of polymer composites and its properties, including the area of nanocomposites, as well as relevant manufacturing processes.
9) Explain the basic properties of polymer semiconductors, thin-film processing techniques and the main organic electronic application areas.
10) Calculate the 'life time' of a material and critically discuss different aspects of recycling.
11) Reason about the concept of biopolymers and biodegradable polymers and present arguments for how polymeric materials can fit into a sustainable society.

Content
This course is an advanced course in polymer technology, where the focus is rather on the properties and behaviour of the polymeric material from a more industrial point of view than on the fundamental chemistry and physics of polymers. The course covers areas such as processing and processing methods of polymers, mechanical properties, differences between polymers and other material as well as differences within the vast group of polymeric materials. Besides the more commonly used plastics, the course also deals with fibres, nanocomposites, polymer semiconductors as well as biopolymers and biodegradable polymers.

The course also discusses the recycling of plastics and gives an overview of a new generation of polymers originating from renewable resources, thereby giving a better understanding of how plastic materials can be used in a sustainable society.

Organisation
The course includes lectures, a design project, which is to be presented both as a written report and during a seminar session, and compulsory study visits to at least two representative polymer companies.

Literature
Ulf Bruder 'User's Guide to Plastic' (Carl Hanser Verlag)
additional recommended literature: A. Brent Strong 'Plastics: Materials and processing' (Third edition)

Examination including compulsory elements
The assessment of the learning outcomes is tested through a written exam, graded according to TH. Some of the learning outcomes are also examined through a design project where the written report must be approved and active participation in the seminar is required. Participation in the study visits is also required. The grades for the written exam and the design project/seminar/study visits are registered separately (6 + 1.5 HP).