Polymer Processing

NAME OF THE COURSE

Polymer Processing

Code

KTB204

Year of study

Course teacher

Prof Matko Erceg

Credits (ECTS)

5.0

Associate teachers

Type of instruction (number of hours)

P	S	V	T
30	0	20	10

Status of the course

Elective

Percentage of application of e-learning

0 %

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course objectives

- Understanding the modern processing of polymers
- Understanding the modern methods of polymer waste recovery
- Implementation of the adopted knowledge in finding optimal solutions in the processing and recovery of polymers

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

After passing the exam, the student is expected to be able to:
- identify and compare the properties and behavior of the polymer in processing and application
- explain the importance of polymer additives
- separate and identify additives polymers
- describe and select proper procedure for polymer processing
- argue selection of the optimal recovery of waste
- argue the importance of polymers in modern society

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: Historical development of processes for production of polymer products. Croatian plastics industry. Basic concepts, nomenclature of polymers.
2nd week: Types of polymers: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers. Systematization of polymer processing. Phase and the physical states of the polymers.
3rd week: Mechanical and thermal properties of polymers.
4th week: Rheological properties of polymers.
5th week: Additives to polymers. Mixing.
6th week: Continuous primary shaping processes: calendering, continuous coating.
7th week: Extrusion
8th week: Discontinuous primary shaping processes: casting, sintering, compression molding, transfer molding.
9th week: Injection molding of polymers.
10th week: Specific injection molding procedures (gas assisted injection moulding, inserts in plastic mouldings, structural foam, pultrusion).
11th week: Secondary shaping procedures: warm and cold secondary shaping, blowing, drawing, shrinkage.
12th week: Extrusion and injection blow molding. Production of foamed and reinforced polymer products (laminating, winding, spraying, pultrusion).
13th week: Finishing: particle separation, bonding, welding. Surface treatment.
14th week: Coating other materials with polymers. Recovery of plastic waste.
15th week: Recovery of plastic waste (continued). Final comments, conclusions.
Exercises: Modification of the properties of polymer by additives, Separation and identification of additives in polymer materials, Preparation of polymer composites and nanocomposites, Determination of oxidation induction time and oxidation induction temperature, Effect of repeated mechanical recycling on the thermal properties of the polymer.
Field work: Visit to factories AD Plastik Inc. Solin and Fornix Ltd., Dugi Rat.

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Attending lectures in the 80% amount, and laboratory exercises in the 100% amount of the total number of lessons

Screening student work (name the proportion of ECTS credits for eachactivity so that the total number of ECTS credits is equal to the ECTS value of the course):

Class attendance	1.0	Research	0.0	Practical training	0.0
Experimental work	0.7	Report	0.2	Priprema eksperimetnalnog rada	0.4
Essay	0.0	Seminar essay	0.0	Terenska nastava	0.3
Tests	0.8	Oral exam	0.8
Written exam	0.8	Project	0.0

Grading and evaluating student work in class and at the final exam

Continuous evaluation:
The entire exam can be passed over two colloquium during the semester. Pass threshold for each colloquium is 50%. Each colloquium participates with 35% in a final grade. Laboratory exercises (50-100% success) participate with 20% in a final grade, while attending lectures in 80-100% amount is 10% of a final grade.
Final evaluation:
One passed colloquium (previous activity) is recognized as 10% of a final grade. The remaining part is taken on written and oral exam at prescribed examination terms. Written exam accounts for 30%, oral exam for 40%, while laboratory exercises account for 20% of a final grade, respectively.
Students who did not take or pass colloquiums take written and oral exam at prescribed examination terms. Passing threshold is 50%. Written exam accounts for 40%, oral exam for 40%, while laboratory exercises account for 20% of a final grade, respectively.
Grades definitions and percentages: sufficient (50-61%), good (62-74%), very good (75-87%), excellent (88-100%).

Required literature (available in the library and via other media)

Title	Number of copies in the library	Availability via other media
A. Rogić, I. Čatić, D. Godec, Polimeri i polimerne tvorevine, Društvo za plastiku i gumu, Zagreb, 2008.	2
A. Azapagic, A. Emsley, I. Hamerton, Polymers, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Wiley, 2003.	1
M. Šercer, D. Opsenica, G. Barić, Oporaba plastike i gume, mtg topograf d.o.o., Zagreb, 2000.	1
J. Scheirs, Polymer Recycling: Science, Technology and Applications, John Wiley&Sons, Chichester, 1998.	1

Optional literature (at the time of submission of study programme proposal)

I. Čatić, F. Johannaber, Injekcijsko prešanje polimera i ostalih materijala, Društvo za plastiku i gumu, Zagreb, 2004.; H. F. Gilles, Jr., J. R. Wagner, Jr., E. M. Mount, III., Extrusion: The Definitive Processing Guide and Handbook, William Andrew, Inc., New York, 2005.; L. Lundquist, Y. Leterrier, P. Sunderland, J.E. Manson, Life Cycle Engineering of Plastics, Elsevier, Oxford, 2000.; A. L. Andrady, Plastics and the Environment, Wiley-Interscience 2003.; Z. Janović, Polimerizacije i polimeri, Hrvatsko društvo kemijskih inženjera i tehnologa, Zagreb, 1997.

Quality assurance methods that ensure the acquisition of exit competences

Quality assurance will be performed at three levels:
(1) University Level;
(2) Faculty Level by Quality Control Committee;
(3) Lecturer’s Level.

Other (as the proposer wishes to add)