Course: Structure and Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers

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Course title Structure and Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers
Course code UCHTML/C398
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 3
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Machotová Jana, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Prokůpek Luboš, Ing. Dr.
Course content
Week 1: Factors affecting the structure of polymers, the molecular structure of polymers, the influence of molecular weight and polydispersity on polymer properties, the influence of crystallinity and stereoregularity on polymer properties. Week 2: Softening of polymers, glass transition temperature, elastic modulus, internal softening, Fox equation, external softening. Week 3: Thermal dimensional stability, dynamic mechanical analysis, the influence of molecular chain structure on thermal dimensional stability. Week 4: Thermal chemical stability, differential scanning calorimetry, the influence of molecular chain structure on thermal chemical stability. Week 5: Technically used types of heat-resistant polymers, the thermal resistance of important polymers. Week 6: Chemical resistance of polymers, resistance of polymers to physically active environments, resistance of polymers to chemically active environments, chemical resistance of important polymers. Week 7: Resistance of polymers to weathering, the effect of ultraviolet radiation, oxygen, ozone, heat, water, and other factors. Week 8: Stabilization of polymers against weathering, stabilization against ultraviolet radiation, stabilization against autoxidation, resistance of important polymers to weathering. Week 9: Solubility, miscibility, and swelling of polymers, distribution of solvents, interaction parameter, solubility parameter, cohesive energy density. Week 10: Effect of structure on transport phenomena in polymers, permeation, diffusion, Fick's laws. Week 11: Effect of structure on electrical insulation properties of polymers, resistivity, conductivity, relative permittivity, and loss factor. Week 12: Solution of case studies - examples of the influence of the chemical and phase structure of polymers on their properties. Week 13: Case studies in the form of students´ presentations.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing)
Learning outcomes
The course aims to explain the basic relationships and connections between the molecular and supramolecular structures of polymers and their properties. The influence of polymer structure on their thermal resistance, resistance to weathering, resistance to chemicals, solubility, electrical properties, transport phenomena, and optical properties is discussed in particular.
Students will acquire detailed information about relations between structure, chemical and physical properties of major thermo-plastic and thermosetting polymers.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of organic and macromolecular chemistry.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Presentation

Case study presentation. Oral examination.
Recommended literature
  • Ducháček, Vratislav. Polymery : výroba, vlastnosti, zpracování, použití. Praha: Vydavatelství VŠCHT, 2006. ISBN 80-7080-617-6.
  • Mleziva, Josef. Polymery : výroba, struktura, vlastnosti a použití. Praha: Sobotáles, 2000. ISBN 80-85920-72-7.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester