Goals:

• Learn phenomenological and molecular models of phase transitions in bulk polymers
• Learn molecular and phenomenological models of rubber elasticity and viscoelasticity
• Learn the foundations of structure-property relations in anisotropic bulk polymers
• Prepare students for research in the field of polymer process-structure-property relationships

Topics:

1. Structure and states

A review of structure and physical states of polymers

2. Conformations and spatial configurations: Principles and models

Review of equilibrium and statistical thermodynamics; partition functions for polymer chains; freely orienting chain analogs for flexible polymer chains

3. Rubber elasticity: Advanced Models

1-, 2-, and 3-D models of elastcity in isolated chains; single chain to network extensions; non-ideal rubbers

4. Viscoelasticity

a. linear viscoelasticity and superposition

b. time-temperature superposition of modulus and viscosity functions

c. experiments in viscoelasticity

d. viscoelastic transitions and structure

e. molecular origins of viscoelastic behavior of polymers

f. nonlinear models

5. Fundamental Aspects of Process-Morphology Relations

a. thermodynamics of melting/crystallization

b. kinetics and modes of crystal growth

c. energetics of crystal nucleation phenomena

d. process - morphology relations (phase separating transitions in solutions and bulk polymers; flow and orientation; crystallization in anisotropic polymers; stress field and crystallization; crystallization in copolymers and blends)

6. Principles and techniques for analysis of anisotropy in polymers principles governing birefringence, sonic pulse propagation and infra-red dichroism

7. Structure-mechanical property relations

two- and three- phase models of polymer morphology and physical properties

8. Viscosity and Diffusion in Polymers

segmental jumps, viscosity and diffusion in polymers

9. Special Topics

students' research reports on current literature

Delivery mode (%):

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Revised June 2004