- Rheology of polymers
Main parameters for the rheological description of fluids. Laminar and turbolent flows. Rheological constitutive equations. Newton's law of viscosity. Non-newtonian behaviour, with particular reference to polymer melts. Isothermal flows in ducts. Measurement of shear viscosity of polymer melts: capillary rheometer. Measurement of "melt index" of polymer melts. Viscoelastic behaviour of polymer melts. Temperature effects. PvT relationships.
- Polymer processing
Single-screw plasticating extrusion process. Compounding process. Injection moulding process. An outline of: blow moulding process, rotational moulding process, thermoforming. Residence time distribution functions.