ChE 531 Polymer Engineering


University of Rhode Island
Professor Greenfield
Spring 2008

Tentative course calendar

January 23Introduction, classifications, molecular weight and distribution, "big picture" of polymer engineering (chapters 0, 1)
30Solid-state chain packing, crystallinity (chapter 2, Hiemenz reference)
February 6Amorphous polymers and the glass transition (chapter 2, Hiemenz reference)
13Introduction to mechanical properties, rubber elasticity (chapter 3)
20Viscoelasticity (chapter 4)
27Time-temperature superposition, Boltzmann superposition principle, rheology (chapter 4)
March 5rheology (chapter 4)
12dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, yield and fracture (chapter 5)
MIDTERM occurs this week
19Spring break; no class
26Polymer processing - extrusion (chapter 7)
April 2Polymer processing - molding (chapter 7)
9Polymer processing - fibers (chapter 7), structure-property relationships (chapter 8)
16STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
23polymer design considerations (chapter 8), polymer additives, polymer blends (chapter 6, to some extent), course evaluations
May 7FINAL EXAM (date scheduled by registrar)