Credit Structure: (3-0)3

Catalog Description :
Additives for processing, surface and optical property modification, fire retardants, U.V. protecting agents, blowing agents. Principles of blending and compatibilization. Thermodynamics, rheology and morphology of polymer blends. Principles of composites, interfaces, geometrical aspects, elastic properties. Introduction to laminate theory. Short fiber reinforced plastics. Processing of composites.

Course Objectives:
This course is intended to introduce student to the additives used in polymers, polymer blends and polymer based composites. Properties that cannot be obtained by polymer synthesis alone, can be obtained through additives, blends and composites. Additives that modify processing, surface, optical and anti-aging properties will be discussed, in addition to blowing agents and fire retardants for polymers. Rheological, thermodynamic and morphological aspects of polymer blends will be emphasized. Properties, orientation effects, adhesion, mechanisms of failure and processing methods of composites will be studied.

Prerequisites:
None

Textbook(s):
L.Mascia, "The Role of Additives in Plastics", Edward Arnold, 1974
L.A. Utracki, "Polymer Alloys and Blends, Thermodynamics and Rheology", 1990.
R. Gachter, H. Muller, "Polymer Additives", 3rd Ed., 1990
D. Hull, "An Introduction to Composite Materials", Cambridge University Press, 1987

Reference:
None

Syllabus :
I. Introduction:General classification of additives (0.5 week)
II. Additives which assist processing: Processing stabilizers. Lubricants and processing aids. Thixotropic agents (0.5 week)
III. Surface properties modifiers: Anti-wear additives. Antistatic agents. Adhesion properties. Antiblocking additives (0.5 week)
IV. Optical Properties modifiers: Additives which alter light transmission properties which impart opacity and color (0.5 week)
V. Other additives: U.V. protecting agents. Reactive photooxidation stabilizers. Flame retardants. Blowing agents (1 week)
VI. Principles of blending: Compounding and blending machinery and procedures. (0.5 week)
VII. Compatibility of blends: Principles of solubility and compatibiliy. Compatibilizers. (1 week)
VIII. Thermodynamics of blends (1 week)
IX. Morphology of blends (1 week)
X. Rheology of blends (1 week)
XI. Commercial blends: Principles of toughening. Rubber modified plastics. Important blends (0.5 week)
XII. Principles of composite materials. Classification and definition of composites. Comparison of composites and conventional materials. Fibers. Fillers. Other reinforcements (0.5 week)
XIII. Fiber-matrix interface: Theories of adhesion. Measurement of interface strength. Fiber-matrix interfaces. (0.5 week)
XIV. Geometrical aspects: Continuous fibers. Fiber length distribution. Fiber orientation distribution. Fiber orientation during flow. (1 week)
XV. Elastic properties: Introduction. Elastic properties of unidirectional laminae. Elastic properties of random laminae. Stress and strain distribution at fiber ends. Elastic properties of short fiber composite materials. Thermal stresses and curing stresses. (1 week)
XVI. Laminate Theory: Elastic properties of laminates. Strength of laminates. (1 week)
XVII. Strength of short fiber composite materials: Short aligned fibers: In-plane random fibers. Injection molded short fiber materials. (1 week)
XVIII. Processing of composites: Processing of composites with thermoset matrices. Processing of composites with thermoplastic matrices (1 week)

Homeworks, Quizzes, Projects:
Monthly homeworks are given

Computer Usage:
None

Laboratory work:
None

Category Content:
Mathematics and Basic Sciences: 1 credit
Engineering Design: 0.5 credit
Engineering Sciences: 1.5 credits
Humanities & Social Sciences: None
Departmental: None

Instructors:
Ülkü Yilmazer