Relating structure and properties of polymers and composites. Developing analytical thinking related to the expectation of polymer behaviour in different thermal and mechanical conditions, and in different media. Introduction to polymer additives. Relating the structure and properties of polymers. Developing critical view related to infodemia in the field of materials. Introduction to current material development.

Student responsibilities:

Attending lectures, laboratory tests and evaluation of the results. Preparation of the test report. Preparation of a seminar.

Grading and evaluation of student work over the course of instruction and at a final exam:

Up to 5% on five-minute periodic tests in class. Up to 5% for the written and defended test report Up to 5% on seminar work Up to 85% on the written exam (alternative passing 2 colloquia).

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to (learning outcomes):

1 . Relate the structure and properties of polymers, with special emphasis on mechanical and thermal properties.

2 . Predict the impact of processing on the structure of polymeric materials and relate it to the behaviour in exploitation.

3 . Predict the behaviour of polymers in different thermal-mechanical conditions.

4 . Predict the behaviour of polymers in different media.

5 . Relate the properties and application of basic and advanced polymeric materials.6. Develop critical view towards application of polymers and development of new materials

6 . Develop critical view towards application of polymers and development of new materials

7 . Interpret supporting material documentation

Lectures

1. Introduction to polymers - definition, basic concepts and systematization

2. Relating structure and properties of polymers

3. Mechanisms of polymerization reactions, soft condensed matter

4. Solidification - semi-crystalline and amorphous structure

5. Rheological properties of polymers and viscoelasticity

6. Polymer mixing and phase transitions

7. Types of polymer decomposition according to the type of impact (thermal, oxidative, ozonation, photooxidation, ionization, chemical, mechanical, aging, biodegradation).

8. Chemical resistance of polymers (swelling, degree of swelling, dissolution, diffusion), biodegradation of polymers

9. Preliminary exam 1 / Mechanical properties of polymers

10. Other properties of polymers and analysis of defects in the material

11. Overview of thermoplastics, their properties and application

12. Overview of thermosets and elastomers, their properties and applications

13. Advanced polymers and biopolymers

14. Selection of materials during construction

15. Preliminary exam 2

Exercises

1. Characterisation and identification of polymers

2. Characterisation and identification of polymers

3. Characterization of polymers

4. Characterization of polymers

5. Viscoelasticity

6. Viscoelasticity

7. Dynamic-mechanical analysis of polymers

8. Dynamic-mechanical analysis of polymers

9. Chemical resistance of polymers

10. Chemical resistance of polymers

11. Mechanical properties of polymers

12. Testing of mechanical properties of polymers

13. Analysis of student reports on material testing

14. Criteria for material selection

15. Criteria for material selection

Compulsory literature:

Recommended literature:

1. Soft Condensed Matter, 2002., Jones, R.A.L, Oxford University Press, 2002, p. 1-45

2. Viscoelasticity of Polymers, Ferry, J.D., Wiley , 1980, p. 0-0

3. Handbook of Plastics Testing and Failure Analysis, Shah, V., Wiley , 2007, p. 1-116