• Introduction: brief history of metals and polymers; 'overview of properties of metals and polymers; applications of metals and polymers
• Overview of Polymer Chemistry and Properties: chemical structure; thermoplastics and thermosets; polymer names; mechanical properties; chemical properties; thermal properties
• Overview of Polymer Manufacturing Process: molding (injection, hand lay-up, compression, blow, rotational); extrusion; pultrusion; thermoforming
• Overview of Specific Polymers: plastics; thermoplastics (polyamides, acrylics, polyacetals, etc.); thermosetting (epoxies, phenolics, etc.); rubbers/elastomers
• Testing and Characterization of Polymers: chemical testing; molecular weight testing; thermal analysis; mechanical and physical testing; coating and film testing; microscopy; environmental aging tests
• Failure Analysis of Polymers: causes of failure; types of failure and failure mechanisms (fracture, aging); wear, distortion (failure analysis methodology; fractography of metals and plastics; case histories)
• Glass Composition and Properties: definition, structure, chemical constituents, physical properties
• Fracture of Brittle Materials: stress and strain, creation of tension, strengthening of glass
• Observation of Stress in Glass: principles of birefringence, simple polariscope
• Fracture Analysis: basic concepts, direction of travel, signposts, procedures
WHO SHOULD ENROLL:
This course is specifically designed for metallurgists who would like to gain a better practical understanding of nonmetallic materials. Non-metallurgists will also find that this course provides a good introduction to nonmetallic materials.
PREREQUISITES:
An understanding of metallic materials and/or an introductory materials science course would be beneficial to the student but not mandatory.
