Polymers

Pre requisite: Basic concepts of polymer science- monomers, repeat units, degree of polymerization;

Classification of polymers, average molecular weight, number-average and weight-average molecular weights; sedimentation and viscosity average molecular weights, polydispersity and molecular weight distribution; practical significance of molecular weight; measurement of molecular weights – end-group, viscosity, light scattering, osmotic and ultra centrifugation methods; analysis and testing of polymers – chemical analysis of polymers, spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction study, microscopy.

Morphology and order in crystalline polymers – configuration of polymer chains, crystal structure of polymers, morphology of crystalline polymers, strain - induced morphology, crystallization and melting; polymer structure and physical properties – crystalline melting point T_m (melting point of homogenous series, effect of chain flexibility and other steric factors, entropy and heat of fusion), the glass transition temperature T_g, relation between T_m and T_g, effects of molecular weight, diluents, chemical structure, chain topology; property requirements and polymer utilization.

Pre requisite: Addition and condensation polymerization.
    
Classification of polymerization mechanism, mechanism of stepwise polymerization, kinetics and statistics of linear stepwise polymerization, poly functional step reaction polymerization, ring-opening polymerization.
 

Chain (addition) polymerization:  mechanism and kinetics based on active centers (free radical, anionic, cationic); effects of temperature and pressure on chain polymerization;  coordination polymerization : Ziegler Natta .

Kinetics and mechanism of copolymerization. Polymerization in homogeneous and heterogeneous system.

Plastics, elastomers and fibres, compounding, processing techniques- calendaring, die casting, rotational casting, film casting, injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion moulding, thermoforming, foaming, reinforcing and fibre spinning.