Faculty of Science

Objectives

To review the chemistry of polymers under topics such as polymerisation, synthetic methods, natural occurrence, viscoelastic behaviour, structure and property relationships as well as applications.

Contents

Definition and classification of polymers; Organic raw materials; source, of carbon- chemicals from coal; Petroleum and natural gas; refinery processes; petroleum feedstocks and processes; organic chemicals from petroleum and natural gas: ethylene, propylene C4–hydrocarbon acetylene and aromatic derivatives; Synthesis of polymers: classification of polymerisation, free material polymerisation, chain transfer reaction; cationic and anionic polymerisations; Ziegler-Nata and relaxed polymerisation; vinyl polymerisation processes; copolymerisation; Condensation and relaxed polymerisation; Commercially important polymers; Vinyl thermoplastics; polyolefins, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride; Nylons; polyesters; Thermosetting resins; phenoplasts and aminoplasts; Thermosetting resins: Polyurethanes, epoxyresins; unsaturated polyesters, alkyd resins; Polymer structure and properties: polymer additives, plasticizers, fillers; Applications: Plastics, fibres, textile fibres; elastomeric applications, surface coatings; paints and adhesives; Uses of polymers: thermoplastics, fibres, elastomers, thermosetting resins