MTE2545 - Polymers and ceramics I

Leader: J-F Nie

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

Introduction to common ceramics: industrial ceramics: ceramic crystal structures, clay based industrial ceramics, alumina, mullite; their general compositions, microstructures, processing and properties; understanding the characteristics of these materials from phase diagrams. Introduction to polymers: Polymer coil; molecular weight and molecular weight distribution; chain and step-growth polymers; tacticity; random, block and graft copolymers; solution properties; thermal properties and Tg; thermoplastics and crosslinked polymers; polymer blends.

Objectives

1. To impart a basic knowledge of the properties of commonly used industrial ceramics
2. To impart a basic understanding of the structural basis of the common industrial ceramics
3. To give the students an understanding of polymer morphology and how it determines the properties

Assessment

Examination: 50%
Assignments: 30%
Laboratory: 20%

Contact hours

36 lecture/practice classes and 3 laboratory experiments per semester

Prohibitions

MTE2502