ESM 369/533 Polymeric Materials


TuTh: 5:30 - 6:50 pm
Computer Science Studi0 A
Instructor: Prof. Dilip Gersappe
Office Hours: TuTh 2:00-4:00pm
T. A.: Yuxie Pu
Course Book: Introduction to Polymers - R. J. Young and P. A. Lovell, 2nd Edition

Course Outline


This course is an introductory course in the field of polymeric materials. The primary goal of the class is to develop the relationship between the structure of the polymeric molecule and its properties. With this in mind, the course will be split up into the following sections.
 
  1. Polymer Definitions:
    1. Nomenclature, Terms of reference, Definitions of critical parameters
  2. Thermodynamics of Polymeric Systems
    1. Review of ideal solution theory
    2. Formulation of free energies of polymeric systems
    3. Flory-Huggins Free Energies
    4. Phase Diagrams in Polymer Blends and Solutions
  3. Characterization of Polymers
    1. Calculating Molecular weight distributions
    2. Separation processes in Polymeric systems
    3. Viscosity of Polymeric systems
    4. Dimensions of Polymeric molecule
  4. Structure of Polymers
    1. Glass transition
    2. Crystalline vs. Amorphous Polymers
    3. Elastomers
  5. Mechanical Properties
    1. Deformation of Polymers
    2. Stress-Strain Behavior
    3. Introduction to viscoelasticity
    4. Fracture and Adhesion in Polymeric Systems
  6. Special Topics: To Be Announced Later

Grading:


One midterm and one final. Assignments on a regular basis. Graduate students will also be required to write a short term paper and have a presentation at the end of the class.

01/24/99