Control and Design of Polymerisations (MATS65541)
Unit aims / introduction
On completion, you will (i) be familiar with commercially-important polymerisation methods, (ii) understand the kinetics of polymerisation processes and (iii) appreciate how to control polymerisation processes and hence polymer properties.
Learning Outcomes
Unit dates (to be confirmed) - online distance-learning
- 14 September 2009 – 18 December 09
For start dates for the campus-based version of this unit, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team
Unit tutors
- Unit leader – Dr Brian Saunders
- Contributors – Professor Peter Lovell; Prof Steve Yeates
Unit e-Tutor – Your e-Tutor, assigned when you start the unit, will act as a group mentor throughout the unit and will guide you through all the learning material.
Study time and method
This unit is delivered as an online distance-learning unit and a campus-based unit. This page concentrates on the online distance-learning version, if you would like information on the campus-based version of this unit, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team.
Online distance-learning (part-time)
This unit is delivered online through a virtual learning environment (VLE) system called Blackboard.
Each unit contains 12 study weeks over a 14-week period. Each study week normally comprises five study sessions, corresponding to five working days.
This unit requires approximately 12.5 study hours each week of the unit (excluding break weeks). You are able to study at a time that suits you, but some group discussions may be scheduled by your e-Tutor.
For more information on online distance-learning, please click here
Unit structure - online distance-learning
- Week 1 – Polycondensation, polyaddition, gelation and crosslinking 1
- Week 2 – Polycondensation, polyaddition, gelation and crosslinking 2
- Week 3 – Polycondensation, polyaddition, gelation and crosslinking 3
- Week 4 – Polycondensation, polyaddition, gelation and crosslinking 4
- Break – Reflective and catch up week
- Week 5 – Free-radical homopolymerisation and copolymerisation 1
- Week 6 – Free-radical homopolymerisation and copolymerisation 2
- Week 7 – Free-radical homopolymerisation and copolymerisation 3
- Week 8 – Free-radical homopolymerisation and copolymerisation 4
- Break – Reflective and catch up week
- Week 9 – Ionic and coordination polymerisation 1
- Week 10 – Ionic and coordination polymerisation 2
- Week 11 – Ionic and coordination polymerisation 3
- Week 12 – Ionic and coordination polymerisation 4
For information on the campus-based version of this unit, please click here
Assessment
Assessment is a requirement if you are studying a postgraduate qualification. If you choose to take individual units only, the unit assessment is optional.
Assessed coursework
All coursework can be submitted via Blackboard, and feedback from e-Tutors will also be given online.
Unit examination
Formal examinations will take place two or more times each year. An examination will normally be available with six weeks of the unit completion date; you may take the examination at a later date but no more than one year after commencement of the unit.
Examinations can take place at The University of Manchester or at a University approved off-campus location, such as a British Council office / other university.
Please note that The University of Manchester will assist all students in finding a University approved off-campus examination location, but it is ultimately the student's responsibility to find and pay for this. All students are welcome to take their examination at The University of Manchester.
Credits
This is a 15-credit unit which can be built up to lead to a postgraduate qualification.
MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering
This unit forms part of the MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering. Other units included in the course are:
- Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymers
- Polymer Characterisation
- Polymer Processing
- Engineering Design and Communication
- Soft Matter and Nanotechnology
- New Directions in Polymerisation
Manchester Materials Masters
The MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering is one of four courses under the Manchester Materials Masters (MMM) programme. Other MMM MSc courses include:
Pre-requisites and making an application
There are no formal pre-requisites to study for an individual unit, but we would advise you to have a relevant level of knowledge and understanding of the subject to ensure that you can cope with the postgraduate-level study. If you wish to progress onto a postgraduate qualification following completion of an individual unit, then you will need to complete a formal application.
To make an application to an individual unit or to a postgraduate qualification, please click here
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this unit or other units and courses within the School of Materials, please contact our MMM Team:
- mmm@manchester.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4869
Fees
- Full 12-week unit - £1,900
Your registration includes full access to the teaching material on Blackboard and allocated e-Tutor support throughout the programme.
Learning outcomes
On completion, you will be familiar with commercially-important polymerisation methods, understand the kinetics of polymerisation processes and appreciate how to control polymerisation processes and hence polymer properties.
Weeks 1 - 4 - Polycondensation, Polyaddition, Gelation and Crosslinking
Introduction to general concepts of polymerisation. Principles for control of polymer structure and molar mass.
- Linear polymerisation and polymers: polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, polysiloxanes, polycarbonates, polyimides, polyethersulphones and polyetherketones.
- Non-linear polymerisation and polymers: alkyd resins, formaldehyde resins, polyurethanes, polyureas, epoxy resins and polyester resins.
- Linear polymerisation statistics: extents of reaction, most probable distribution, average molar masses, effects of reactant ratio and purity.
- Non-linear polymerisation statistics: functionality and gel point, sol and gel fractions, network formation, structure and properties.
- Crosslinking: natural rubber, butyl rubber, polychloroprene and polyethylene.
Weeks 5 - 8 Free-Radical Homopolymerisation and Copolymerisation
- Free-radical initiators. Common monomers. Chemistry of initiation, propagation, termination and chain transfer.
- Polymerisation kinetics: rate of polymerisation; degree of polymerisation; autoacceleration; effects of chain transfer; inhibition and retardation; effects of temperature; ceiling temperature. Measurement of rate coefficients.
- Copolymerisation: the copolymer equation; control of copolymer composition; introduction to the principles of controlled radical polymerisation. Polymerisation processes: bulk, solution and suspension polymerisation; emulsion polymerisation.
Weeks 9 - 12 Ionic and Coordination Polymerisation
- Carbocations and carbanions. Chemistry of ionic polymerisations of vinyl monomers.
- Kinetics of ionic polymerisations: influence of solvent, counter-ion and temperature. Oxyanions and ring-opening polymerisations.
- Coordination polymerisation: Ziegler-Natta catalysts, ethylene and propylene polymerisation and copolymerisation, mechanism of polymerisation, metallocene catalysts and recent developments.