Class Syllabus: Polymer Science
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Office Hours: |
24 hours
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Course Meeting Times: |
24 hours
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Course Description
Polymers are all around us- from medical products, to paper products, to polyvinyl chloride blood pressure cuffs, to polyester and nylon clothing materials. "Polymer Science" is a course that investigates these natural and man-made materials. We explore how these materials are synthesized, evaluated, and their commercial applications. We also review important properties that these materials possess, including their molecular, physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.
This course is designed for students who possess a basic understanding of chemistry, and an interest in learning about polymer and material science. Professionals are also encouraged to register for this course, either as a means of professional development or as a broadening experience.
Course Requirements
Basic understanding of general chemistry is required.
Course Goals
The purpose of this course is to equip students with a basic understanding of polymer and materials science.
Course Materials
No text is required for this course.
Grading Policy
Homework (50%)
There will be five homework assignments, each worth 8.3% of the overall grade. An assignment will follow each lesson.
Exams (50%)
There will be six exams, each worth 8.3% of the overall grade. An exam will follow each lesson.
Syllabus
Chapters
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Polymer structures
Organic chemistry basics- carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
Chemical bonds- covalent, hydrogen, ionic, van der waals
Functional end groups- R-CH3
Nomenclature- naming of polymers
- Polymer reactions
Step-reaction
Chain-reaction
Addition
Condensation
- Molecular weight
Number average
Weight average
Measurement systems- Gel Permeation Chromotagraphy (GPC), Solution and Melt (Intrinsic) Viscosity
Molecular weight distribution- polydispersity index
- Polymer morphology
Intermolecular forces
Stereochemistry
Amorphous phase
Crystalline phase
Chemical cross linking
Physical cross linking
Copolymers- homopolymer, random copolymer, alternating copolymer, and graft copolymers
- Polymer properties
Density
Thermal properties- glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point (Tm), crystallization, degradation
Mechanical properties- stress, strain, modulus, toughness
Chemical resistance- hydrophobic, hydrophilic properties
Electrical properties
- Characterization techniques
Surface and identification analyses- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Infrared (FTIR)
Thermal properties- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and DTA
Mechanical properties- Thermo mechanical analysis (TMA), Instron (tensile strength)
Chemical resistance
Electrical- insulation, volume and surface resistivity, dielectric strength
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