Course syllabus for Polymer engineering

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-12 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish namePolymerteknik
  • CodeIMS125
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPAEM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 09120
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0123 Examination, part A 5 c
Grading: TH		5 c
  • 30 Okt 2024 am J DIG
  • 07 Jan 2025 am J DIG
  • 25 Aug 2025 am J DIG
0223 Project, part B 2.5 c
Grading: UG		2.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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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

Materials science and engineering basic courses.

Aim

  • explain the flow and physical behavior of polymeric materials (includes synthetic and sustainable alternatives) using their fundamental properties
  • use melt processing as means to obtain suitable properties based in polymeric materials through their fundamental properties
  • build an overview of relevant processes for design with polymeric materials

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • motivate the choice of polymeric material for a product to be used in a given application.
  • describe how the product should be processed in order to obtain suitable properties
  • describe the geometry how the product interacts with the properties of the material.
  • design products in polymeric materials accounting for the time dependence of the mechanical properties.

Content

Polymeric materials remain extensively used in an increasing number of mainstream and advanced applications. Their outstanding versatility in terms of structure, processing and properties make polymeric materials, whether natural or synthetic, ubiquitous and essential for a great number of applications. Fundamental aspects of polymer structure, properties, processing and interrelation thereof is given in this course. The main focus is on thermoplastic polymers, however, rubbers, thermosets and composites are also discussed. A particular feature of the course is a focus on rheological properties, a key aspect for understanding the structure and processing behaviour of polymers. As manufacturing techniques extrusion and injection moulding are emphasised, alongside coating techniques and additive manufacturing. The treatment of the manufacturing processes is based on an in-depth description of the rheological properties of the polymer melts. Overall, the course is medium level polymeric materials course suitable introduction for further in-depth studies, for example within PhD programmes, and is also valuable towards materials engineering (applications) and material development.

Organisation

The course is based on lectures, tutorials and two laboratory sessions. A project assignment is presented as a recorded video and in writing.

Literature

Most of the topics are based on:

[MBB] Principles of Polymer Engineering, N. G. McCrum, C. P. Buckley and C. B. Bucknall, 2nd edition, 1997, Oxford Science Publications, Oxford University Press, ISBN 19 856526 7 

The polymer processing course relies mainly on:
 
Materials Science of Polymers for Engineers by T.A. Osswald and G. Menges (MSPE), 3rd ed., 1997, Hanser Verlag - Chapter 6 

Principles of Polymer Processing by Z. Tadmor, C. G. Gogos, Wiley, 2006 (2nd ed.)

Examination including compulsory elements

Written examination.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to module:
    • 2024-08-20: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Examinator
      [0123 Examination 5,0 credit] Changed to digital examination inspera