UnitLevel 4Undergraduate

MTE4572 Polymer and composite processing and engineering

Faculty of Engineering

MTE4572 Polymer and composite processing and engineering is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs MTE2545 or MTE3546.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 1
Clayton
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2023 entry.

Reviews

No reviews yet

No reviews yet. Be the first to review MTE4572.

Requisites

After MTE4572

No unit lists MTE4572 as a prerequisite in the 2020 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions: MTE4560

Overview

This unit deals with the structure, processing and properties of polymers and shows how these aspects determine their use in particular applications. The rheology of polymers are discussed and the factors controlling viscosity are described and related to polymer processing. The thermodynamics of polymer blends and the resulting morphology is related to the mechanical properties. The wide range of polymer additives is reviewed. For composite materials, the types of matrices and fibres/fillers are described as well as composite fabrication and the effect of reinforcement on properties. Designing with polymers and materials selection for properties and applications is studied in detail.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus
First semester (Fully flex)ClaytonFlexible

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Appraise the various synthetic methods of polymerisation and an analysis of steady shear, tensile and dynamic rheometry and how polymer rheology depends on molecular weight, structure, temperature and deformation rate, and how this determines the processing techniques used.

  2. 2

    Assess the factors affecting the stiffness and creep, the strength and toughness, the solvent resistance, electrical properties and the friction/wear of polymers.

  3. 3

    Assess the detailed basis behind the selection of polymers and processing methods for specific applications and the properties required for their application.

  4. 4

    Analyse a design problem involving polymeric materials, to select the appropriate material(s) and to formulate a solution which includes material fabrication, reliability, quality control and an estimate of cost.

  5. 5

    Predict the properties of thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and composites, based on their structure.

  6. 6

    Demonstrate communication with scientists and industrialists regarding engineering polymers.

Workload and teaching

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. A unit requires on average three to five hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Where it fits

MTE4572 is part of 1 area of study in the 2020 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Professor Neil Cameron
Unit Coordinators
Assoc Professor Timothy Scott

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MTE4572?

You need MTE2545 or MTE3546 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.

When is MTE4572 offered?

In 2020, MTE4572 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

How much work is MTE4572?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Which majors and minors include MTE4572?

MTE4572 is part of Renewable and sustainable energy engineering.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
4
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Organisational unit
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
2020202120222023