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 2022 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs MTE2545, MTE3546 or MTE2201.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2023 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review MTE4572.
Requisites
Before MTE4572
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MTE4572
No unit lists MTE4572 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
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 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly quizzesThreshold hurdle20%
- Mid-semester testThreshold hurdle20%
- Laboratory workThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 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
Assess the factors affecting the stiffness and creep, the strength and toughness, the solvent resistance, electrical properties and the friction/wear of polymers.
- 3
Assess the detailed basis behind the selection of polymers and processing methods for specific applications and the properties required for their application.
- 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
Predict the properties of thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and composites, based on their structure.
- 6
Demonstrate communication with scientists and industrialists regarding engineering polymers.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories18 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
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.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Chris McNeill
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Chris McNeill
Common questions
When is MTE4572 offered?
In 2022, 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.
Does MTE4572 have an exam?
No. MTE4572 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.