Polymer Science and Engineering

Teacher(s)

Jonas Alain; Van Ruymbeke Evelyne;

Language

English
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Prerequisites

This course requires to have a knowledge of thermodynamics and statistical physics.

Main themes

The first theme deals with the physics of polymer materials, and presents the main properties of these materials while establishing in a formal way the relationship with the physical characteristics of the chains at the molecular scale.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Contribution of the course to the program objectives With respect to the program of the Master in Chemical and Materials Science Engineering, this course contributes to the development and the acquisition of the following learning outcomes: LO 1.1.Identify and use concepts, laws, and reasoning related to a problem of limited complexity. LO 1.2. Identify and use modelling and computational tools to solve this problem. At the end of this course, students will be able to : Determine the parameters required to model a macromolecular chain by a freely-jointed chain model, a wormlike model, or a model of rotational isomeric states; explain using statistical physics how these parameters vary with molar mass, temperature or chemical nature of the repeat unit; Use statistical physics and a freely-jointed chain model to compute the retraction force resulting from increasing the distance between the chain ends of a polymer chain; explain the main characteristics of this force; derive the stress/strain curve of a rubber band, starting from equations describing the statistical behavior of its chain segments, and from the environmental constraints of the experiment; Describe phenomenologically the glass transition of polymers and the relaxation phenomena associated with it, on the basis of the notion of free volume. Use this approach to explain how the glass transition is sensitive to the temperature and the rate of measurement; Describe the morphology of a semicrystalline polymer at different scales, and draw a scheme of this morphology; state how this morphology controls the properties of the material; enumerate the parameters which control the melting temperature of a polymer; derive the equation relating this melting temperature and the lamellar thickness; list the main experimental facts that must be included in any theory of polymer crystallization, and present briefly some kinetic theories able to explain these facts; Derive the principle of time/temperature equivalence for the elastic modulus of polymers, and describe its practical consequences for the use of such materials; quantify these effects by the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation; Define and explain different concepts related to the molecular structure of polymers (topology, repeating units linking, configurational structures, average molecular weights and dispersity)

Content

1.1. Main characteristics of macromolecular chains
1.2. Elasticity of macromolecules, and elasticity of elastomer materials
1.3. The glassy state and the glass transition of polymer materials
1.4. Viscoelasticity and rheology of polymers
1.5. Semicrystalline polymers and polymer crystallization

Teaching methods

The course mixes formal presentations by the teachers with exercises done by the students. These exercises serve either to raise questions, or to solve issues. The course will be in flipped classroom format for some parts. The visit of a production plant may be included in the course.

Evaluation methods

Part of the marks (x1, max. 20) will be awarded on the basis of a continuous evaluation during the class. The use of generative AI's is allowed for the preparation of a class, but not during the class and the continuous evaluation. Part of the marks will be awarded based on answers to the written exam (x2, max. 20). The final note is max(0.4 x1 + 0.6 x2 ; x2) for Alain Jonas' part, and max( x1/3 + (2/3) x2 ; x2) for Evelyne Van Ruymbeke's part, rounded to the nearest integer number, unless the score falls between 9 and 10, in which case it is rounded down to the nearest whole number. The continuous evaluation cannot be presented twice.

The x1 mark for the continuous evaluation is the sum of the grades obtained for each class at which the student was present; absence to a class does not result in a grade. The mark obtained for a given class may be a collective mark given to all students present during the class, irrespective of whether they have or not been personally interrogated. The exam is without connection to internet, but with the syllabus or slides given by the teachers; the student is allowed to write in these documents (own writing, no free sheets). The exam asks thinking questions, small problems, etc. It can be oral or written.

Failure to comply with methodological guidelines, particularly with regard to the use of online resources, generative AI, or collaboration between students, for any part of the continuous assessment will result in an overall score of 0 for the continuous assessment.

Online resources

Lecture notes and video sequences are available on the Moodle website.

Bibliography

Des notes de cours et des podcasts vidéos (en Anglais) sont mis à disposition des étudiants sur le site du cours.
Des copies des transparents sont disponibles sur le site du cours. Les ouvrages de référence suivants sont intéressants : Paul C. Hiemenz; Timothy P. Lodge, Polymer Chemistry, 2nd edition, CRC Press:Boca Raton, 2007.

Faculty or entity

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