Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE MME4213

 
TITLE Materials Testing Procedures and Standards

 
UM LEVEL 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

 
DESCRIPTION Objectives

This unit presents concepts and methodologies of polymer engineering. The origin of the wide range of mechanical and chemical properties will be traced down to its roots such that the student can discriminate between different polymers.

Content

1. Bonding in solids: Difference between metallic, covalent and electrovalent bonding in solids. Arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids. Secondary bonding in solids and relation between the type of bonding and the physical properties of solids.

2. Macro Molecular Solids: The polymeric chain “backbone”, the mer, chemistry and structure. The combined effect of the primary and secondary bonding, on the physical properties of polymeric materials.

3. Functional Groups: Insight into the polymeric backbone. Function of the various components of the backbone and side groups. The chemical makeup of the polymeric chain.

4. The Molecular Structure: Introduction to the relation between the macromolecular structure and weight and the physical properties of polymers.

5 Polymerization: Active sites, condensation polymerization, addition polymerization, degree on polymerization, molecular weight.

6. Degradation of Polymers: Shearing of primary bonds by the application of stress. Effect of radiation, heat, aggressive chemicals and solvents.

7. Polymeric Materials in Manufacturing Engineering: Compression moulding, extrusion, co-Drawing (conductor insulation), blow moulding, film extrusion, casting, Paints, sealants, and adhesive.

8. Surface Engineering of Polymers: Metallization of polymeric films, magnetron sputtering, vacuum deposition, electro less plating, ion implantation.

9. Polymer Assemblies: Joining of polymers, dimensional stability.

10. Nomenclature: The chemical and industrial names of some of the most common polymers

Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Mechanical properties of polymers at various temperatures

Prerequisites

MME1201 - Fundamentals of Material Science 1 and
MME2204 – Fundamentals of Material Science 2

Laboratory work

Tensile test.
Creep test.
Fatigue testing.

Coursework

Degradation investigation: individual students are assigned a set of specimens each. The specimen will be exposed to UV radiation for various durations. The students would have to describe the outcome in a report in writing. The case would also be presented to the class and discussed during a tutorial session.

Recommended reading

Polymer Chemistry Edited by Malcolm P. Stevens
Engineering with polymers Edited by Peter C. Powell and A. Jan Ingen Housz

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Project 50%
Examination 50%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


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