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School of Materials

Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymers (MATS65561)

Unit aims / introduction

This unit aims to provide you with an understanding of the structure, mechanical properties and behaviour of amorphous and semi-crystalline polymeric materials and polymer composites.

Learning Outcomes

Unit dates (to be confirmed) - online distance-learning

February 2010 – May 2010

For information on the campus-based version of this unit, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team

Unit tutors

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

For information on the campus-based version of this unit, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team

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:

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:

Fees

Your registration includes full access to the teaching material on Blackboard and allocated e-Tutor support throughout the programme.

Learning Outcomes

Amorphous state
Learning outcomes - The glass-rubber and secondary transitions, energy barriers and free volume; structural factors affecting Tg.

Crystalline state 1
Learning outcomes – Crystal structure and morphology.

Crystalline state 2
Learning outcomes – Mechanisms of crystallisation, kinetics, melting behaviour and thermodynamic parameters.

Crystalline state 3
Learning outcomes – Characterisation of crystalline structure (microscopy, X-ray diffraction) and degree of crystallinity.

Networks 1
Learning outcomes – Definition of elastic chains, thermo-elastic behaviour of rubbery chains.

Networks 2
Learning outcomes – Use of elasticity, modulus and swelling measurements; non-ideal networks and network structure defects.

Viscoelastic state 1
Learning outcomes – Descriptions and examples of creep, stress-relaxation and dynamic behaviour; phenomenological theory (Voigt, Maxwell, 4-element models).

Viscoelastic state 2
Learning outcomes – Boltzmann superposition principle; retardation and relaxation spectra; time-temperature superposition principle.

Mechanical properties 1
Learning outcomes – Elastic deformation, theoretical and experimental descriptions of oriented polymers (films and fibres); yield criteria, necking and cold drawing.

Mechanical properties 2
Learning outcomes – Fracture, fracture mechanics and toughening of polymers.

Polymer composites 1
Learning outcomes – Stiffness, strength and fracture of continuous- and discontinuous-fibre systems.

Polymer composites 2
Learning outcomes – Critical fibre length; interfacial effects on properties.

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