Polymer science

POLYMER SCIENCE

BSc, Research and Development Program, 3rd year

Lecturer: Doc. dr. Lidija Slemenik Perše
Assistant: Asist. dr. Marko Bek

The importance of polymers as construction materials is increasing. Their use is rapidly growing in the industry owing to the advantages provided by these materials in comparison to the traditional materials, such as metals. Some main advantages are: simple forming, resistance to corrosion, advantageous strength/weight ratio, multifunctional purpose of use. They are expected to bear and withstand loads through their whole life. This calls for forecasting of long-term reliability of structural elements, which in turn requires the knowledge about material properties. Designing with polymers is quite challenging, as the mechanical properties of polymers are highly time-dependent (in contrast to metals). In scope of the Polymer Science course, the student attains basic knowledge about the behaviour of molten and solid polymer materials. He or she masters the methodology for characterisation of melt and solid polymers. The basics of technological procedures for the processing of polymers and composites are mastered, as well as the basic concepts of product design for the use of such materials.

Recommended literature:
Basic knowledge:

  • Ward, Ian M., and John Sweeney. Mechanical properties of solid polymers. John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
  • Aklonis, John J. and MacKnight, William J.: Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticity. John Wiley & Sons, 1983.
  • Wineman, Alan S., and Kumbakonam Ramamani R.: Mechanical response of polymers: an introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
  • Lakes, Roderic S. Viscoelastic materials. Cambridge University Press, 2009.

Advanced knowledge:

  • Cho, Kwang Soo: Viscoelasticity of Polymers: Theory and Numerical Algorithms. Springer, 2016.
  • Tschoegl, Nicholas W.: The phenomenological theory of linear viscoelastic behavior: an introduction. Springer Science & Business Media, 1989.
  • Ferry, John D.: Viscoelastic properties of polymers. John Wiley & Sons, 1980.

Broader topics:

  • Additive manufacturing (3D printing): Ian Gibson,David Rosen,Brent Stucker: Additive Manufacturing Technologies: 3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping, and Direct Digital Manufacturing, Second edition, Springer, 2014.
  • Plastic joining: Troughton, Michael J.: Handbook of plastics joining: a practical guide. William Andrew, 2008.
  • Processing and constructing with polymeric materials: Osswald, Tim A., Baur, Erwin, Brinkmann, Sigrid, Oberbach, Karl, and Schmachtenberg, Ernst: International Plastics Handbook, The Resource for Plastics Engineers, Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 2006.
  • Experimental methods: Sharpe, William N.: Springer handbook of experimental solid mechanics. Springer Science & Business Media, 2008.