ENGM100

2010/1 Module Catalogue

Module Code: ENGM100

Module Title: POLYMERS: SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND APPLICATIONS

Module Provider: Mechanical, Medical & Aero Engineering	Short Name: SE3M14
Level: M	Module Co-ordinator: LEKAKOU C Dr (M, M & A Eng)
Number of credits: 15	Number of ECTS credits: 7.5

Module Availability

Short course: one week of intensive teaching (approx. 30 contact hours) followed by independent learning and completion of assessment package.

Assessment Pattern

*Components of Assessment*	*Method(s)*	*Weighting*
Continuous assessment	Post-short course assessment package	100%

Module Overview

Prerequisites/Co-requisites

Completion of the progress requirements to Level M and Module SE0105

Module Aims

This course aims to:

• provide an up-to-date appreciation of the developments and applications of polymers in

engineering

• provide students with important background and conceptual on the structure and properties of

polymers with the focus on:

(i) recent developments in

(a) the chemical and physical structure

(b) processing

that lead to a new range of properties or significant improvement of existing properties;

(ii) novel applications for polymers or applications where the polymers have found recent expansion in novel areas due to their enhanced or novel properties.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will:

• have a knowledge of the properties, processing and applications of thermoplastics and thermosets, both bulk and specialised materials, latest developments and new or advanced applications for polymers,

• be able to use this knowledge in a critical manner to make justified choices of polymeric materials and processes, plan and design the product and manufacturing route for a given application

Module Content

Introduction

The amorphous state

The crystalline state

Mechanical behaviour

Thermoplastics

Thermosets

Liquid crystal polymers

Toughness and toughening mechanisms

Plastics processing review

Advanced processing techniques

Polymer matrix composites

Blends and alloys

Adhesives and coatings

Diffusion in polymers

Polymers in aerospace

Biopolymers

Photo-active polymers

Micro-electronics

Automotive applications

Recycling of polymers

Methods of Teaching/Learning

ntensive five day teaching period including 26 hours lectures and 3.5 hours tutorials, followed by assessment package of a nominal 70 hours work, to be submitted within six months (part-time) or six weeks (full-time) of the end of the course week.

Total student learning time 150 hours.

Selected Texts/Journals

Required reading

None