INTRODUCTION TO POLYMERS PROCESSING
Introduction to the principles of polymer processing. Review of the basic techniques primarily in use by industry as well as foundational principles of polymer physics, viscoelasticity and rheology. Focus on understanding how design of process is used to achieve desired structure and properties. Includes introduction to topics such as 3-d printing and recycling of polymer waste in the context of reprocessing such materials.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: E P D 636 and ( E P D 640 or CHEM/M S & E 421 , or concurrent enrollment), or declared in Capstone Certificate in Polymer Processing Manufacturing Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. State the differences between the various processing techniques used to convert polymers to useful products including those, for example, for automotive, aerospace, energy, consumer, and medical applications. Audience: Graduate 2. Apply the concepts of transport phenomena (i.e. fluid, heat, and mass transfer) to the design of polymer processing operations and add topics typically not covered in undergraduate courses (e.g. non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, radiation heating, self-diffusion). Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the connection between polymer molecular structure and polymer flow by using basic concepts in polymer rheology. Audience: Graduate 4. Analyze the connection between properties of the product (e.g. strength, stiffness, degree of crystallinity, degree of molecular orientation) and processing conditions (e.g. stress generated during flow, heat transfer conditions). Audience: Graduate 5. Theorize as to requirements for the design of recycling schemes for polymers. Audience: Graduate 6. Compare what is possible via traditional processing methods vs. modern methods such as 3-D printing. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. State the differences between the various processing techniques used to convert polymers to useful products including those, for example, for automotive, aerospace, energy, consumer, and medical applications. Audience: Graduate 2. Apply the concepts of transport phenomena (i.e. fluid, heat, and mass transfer) to the design of polymer processing operations and add topics typically not covered in undergraduate courses (e.g. non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, radiation heating, self-diffusion). Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the connection between polymer molecular structure and polymer flow by using basic concepts in polymer rheology. Audience: Graduate 4. Analyze the connection between properties of the product (e.g. strength, stiffness, degree of crystallinity, degree of molecular orientation) and processing conditions (e.g. stress generated during flow, heat transfer conditions). Audience: Graduate 5. Theorize as to requirements for the design of recycling schemes for polymers. Audience: Graduate 6. Compare what is possible via traditional processing methods vs. modern methods such as 3-D printing. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027