POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES FOR PRODUCT INNOVATION

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2019/2020

Academic Year of provision:

2019/2020

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in MATERIALS AND PRODUCT INNOVATION ENGINEERING

Language:

Italian

Grouping:

MATERIAL SELECTION METHODS
Credits: 6 - Related/Supplementary
MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES
Credits: 6 - Related/Supplementary

Grouping credits:

Grouping type:

Attendance grouping

Programme Year:

Cycle:

Single Annual Cycle

The fruition of the course does not require specific skills or knowledge different from those requested for the enrolment at the degree course.

Educational Goals

The course "Polymers and Composites for Product Innovation" aims to provide the student with the tools to consciously face the phases of material selection, data collection and organization of design strategies in the case of manufactured products entirely or in part manufactured with traditional and innovative polymeric materials and with materials with easily tailored properties, as in the case of composites. Furthermore, in presenting materials with functional properties, the course aims to develop in the student a greater awareness of the continuous process of innovation of the materials and of their potential for innovative design solutions.
In particular, the first part of the course, “MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES”, aims to provide specialized knowledge and understanding of the mechanical and functional behaviour of polymeric and composite materials. The course also aims at developing in the student a greater awareness in dealing with materials with behaviour that require many parameters to be described, identifying a minimum number of variables useful both for the description of the response and for the generation of data useful for the design. Making use of numerical exercises it also aims at consolidating an applied knowledge and understanding.
The second part of the course, "METHODS OF SELECTION OF MATERIAL”, aims to provide students with the tools and skills to face, within the design of objects made with polymers and composites, the selection of the most suitable material based on mechanical requirements and functional, and to support it with an effective collection of data useful for the design and a continuous updating on new materials, technologies and design solutions. Bibliographic and market research on specific classes of innovative polymers will allow the student to develop the ability to independently deepen their knowledge, employing autonomy of judgment, as well as it will serve as a useful exercise to use the English language in its technical form and for the development of communication skills.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand, describe and know how to deal with complex material behavior, such as the time and temperature dependence of polymeric materials, or the dependence on composition and stress direction of structured materials such as composites; he will know how to apply theoretical knowledge to simple practical cases and analytically approach the mechanical and functional behaviour of novel materials and systems. Furthermore, the student will be able to adopt strategies for the material selection, to plan experimental campaigns for obtaining useful data for material selection, and to perform bibliographic and market research on innovative materials in an accurate and critical manner.

Content

The course "Polymers and Composites for Product Innovation" aims above all at providing the students with the fundamental knowledge regarding the behavior of polymeric and composite materials and their most relevant mechanical, physical and functional properties towards the design of a product. The course also focuses on topics directly related to the previous ones, and more precisely on how these properties can be measured, described analytically and compared in an appropriate manner for the purposes of material selection and design.
In particular, in the first part of the course, "MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES", students will learn the fundamental information concerning the mechanical, physical and functional properties of polymeric and composite materials. Particular attention will be reserved to the understanding and use of analytical tools for the description of the peculiar behavior of these two classes of materials, that is a viscoelastic behaviour in the case of polymers, an anisotropic and structure-dependent in the case of composites. Furthermore, the properties will be illustrated in light of their close correlation with the structure of the material. Finally, part of the lessons will be reserved for thermal properties and for an introduction to intelligent and functional plastics, which will be analyzed in the second part of the course.
In the second part of the course, "METHODS OF MATERIAL SELECTION", and with specific reference to polymeric and composite materials, students will acquire the skills needed to face the material selection phase within the design process, distinguishing three main areas: 1. analytical approach and practical application of criteria and strategies for material selection; 2. collection of useful data for the selection of the material and the product design; 3. research and understanding of the potentialities offered by innovative polymeric materials and of the results of advanced researches on the behavior of polymers and composites in working conditions. The main selection criteria of the material will be illustrated, suggesting the importance of this phase within the design of a product. The course will introduce experimental strategies allowing advanced design, as in the case of the design with viscoelastic materials, and appropriate evaluation the response of composite structures. Finally, the student will be guided in carrying out a bibliographic and market research concerning innovative polymers.

Extended Syllabus

Part 1. “MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES”
I. Properties of polymeric materials
1.1 Viscoelasticity: phenomenology of the viscoelastic response; creep and stress relaxation; isochronous and isometric curves; analogical models for the description of viscoelastic behaviour (Maxwell, Kelvin-Voigt, Zener, Alfrey models, multi-element models); temperature dependence; time-temperature equivalence principle; dependence on load history (Boltzmann superposition principle).
1.2 Resistance of polymeric materials: mechanical response for high deformations; identification of the yield point; yielding mechanisms in polymeric materials (shear yielding; crazing); effect of strain rate and temperature (Eyring equation); yield criteria (Von Mises modified criterion for polymers, Oxborough-Bowden criterion); basis of linear elastic fracture mechanics; effects of time and temperature; static and dynamic fatigue resistance.
1.3 Rubbers and functional polymers: mechanical behaviour of rubbers; main properties and methods of characterization; main families of elastomers and engineering rubbers; thermal and functional properties of polymers; "smart" polymers.
Part 2. Properties of composite materials
2.1 Macromechanics of the ply: definition of ply; mechanical behaviour and structural morphology of the ply; macromechanical approach to the behaviour of the ply; stiffness and softness matrices; special and general orthotropy; "off-axis" behaviour; sheet resistance criteria for multi-axial loads.
2.2 Micromechanics of the ply: laws of mechanical reinforcement; prediction of the properties of the composite (mechanics of materials approach; Halpin-Tsai equation); short fibres composites with particle reinforcements; failure mechanisms along various load directions.
2.2 Mechanical behaviour of laminates: stacking sequences and terminology; classical theory of lamination; thermal stresses; interlaminar stresses.
Part 2. "METHODS OF SELECTION OF MATERIAL”
I. Strategies for material selection: product analysis, use of plastics and material selection in the design process; material selection procedures and criteria (Ashby maps, weighted indices, property profile); targeted design (based on: performance, rigidity / resistance, technology, cost, feel) and case histories; material replacement and comparison/ranking of alternative solutions.
II. Finding and organizing technical data for design: collection of useful data for viscoelastic materials; dynamic-mechanical analyses for the description of the viscoelastic behaviour; master curve and shift factor; interconversion of viscoelastic functions and their extrapolation at different temperatures; measurement of resistance parameter (yielding resistance; fracture resistance); pseudo-elastic design approach; general information on composite materials testing; methodologies of composites characterization for the collection of useful data useful for the design (tensile tests; "off-axis" tensile tests; compression tests; shear tests; delamination resistance tests; measurement of thermal expansion coefficients); behaviour of composites under working conditions (impact; fatigue; environmental effects).
III. Innovative polymers and plastics: intelligent polymers; polymers that respond to external stimuli (temperature; pH; light; magnetic fields; enzymes); shape memory polymers; intelligent hydrogels; self-healing polymers; fields of application of intelligent plastics (tissue engineering; drug delivery; biomedical devices; biotechnologies; textiles; packaging; data storage).

Recommended Bibliography

N.G. McCrum, C. P. Buckley, C. B. Bucknall,“Principles of Polymer Engineering” OUP Oxford Science Publications
B.D.Agarwal, L.J. Broutman, K. Chandrashekhara,“Analysis And Performance of Fiber Composites” John Wiley & Sons Inc
Maria Rosa Aguilar, Julio San Román, “Smart Polymers and their Applications”, Woodhead Publishing
Eric Larson, “Thermoplastic Material Selection - A Practical Guide”, William Andrew Publishing, United States (2015).
Further material and suggested readings will be provided from the teacher through the Moodle platform.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

The course will consist of lectures, and of numerical exercises and practical experiences aimed at the practical application of the topics covered in lectures. The part related to innovative materials (Part 2) will be carried out partly in monographic lessons on some classes of functional polymers, partly carrying out bibliographic research work with groups of students on specific classes of intelligent polymers.

Assessment Methods

The exam is aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics listed in the official Program of the Course and the ability to apply the theoretical concepts learned to practical application cases.
The exam consists of an oral exam concerning the first part, "MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES", an oral examination concerning the second part, "METHOD OF MATERIAL SELECTION", and the presentation of a bibliographic research carried out by groups of students or single students, on specific classes of functional and intelligent polymers. Necessary to pass the exam is a correct use of the terminology.
Each oral exam is considered passed if the grade obtained is greater than or equal to 18/30.
Bibliographic research will be illustrated by the group of students in a 15-minute presentation followed by in-depth questions. For non-attending students, the same research will be requested and presented before the oral exam. The presentation of the research is to be considered an integral part of the course and a fundamental requirement for admission to the oral exam on the part "METHOD OF MATERIAL SELECTION". The bibliographic research will have a vote expressed in thirtieths and in order to access oral exam, candidates must obtain a vote of the bibliographic research equal to or greater than 18/30; the final grade for the part "METHOD OF MATERIAL SELECTION", which takes into account the votes of the presentation and the oral exam, must however be greater than or equal to 18/30.
The final grade of the course "Polymers and Composites for Product Innovation" will be given by the average of the grades obtained for the parts "MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES" and "METHOD OF MATERIAL SELECTION".

Assessment:

Final Mark

Programme of Educational Activities

Start date of teaching period:

Monday, September 16, 2019

End date of teaching period:

Friday, June 5, 2020

Other Information

Login HP

Portale di Ateneo - En.Unibs.it

Struttura

Servizi

Menu Target

Academic Years

Other Courses of the Study Programme

Course year: 1

Course year: 2

Footer