Outline of the course:

The course provides an overview of polymer characterization test methods.
The methods and instrumentations described represent modern analytical techniques commonly used by researchers, product development specialists, and quality control experts in order to characterize molecular, compositional, rheological, and thermodynamic properties of polymers, from thermoplastics to thermosets and elastomers.

The following analytical techniques will be studied:

• NMR and FTIR spectrometry for the determination of polymer chemical composition;
• Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Rheological techniques for the determination of polymer molecular weights, weight distributions and polydispersity;
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) for the determination of thermal transitions (glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tf), curing temperature…), associated endotherms or exotherms, degree of cristallinity and also thermal stability;
• Tensile, shear, flexural tests and Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for the determination of mechanical and time dependent properties;
• Selected polymer characterization techniques (electronic and optical microscopies, X-ray scattering).

The course also describes the significance of analytical data for the quantification of the interrelationship between microstructure and macroscopic properties of polymers.

At the end of the course, the students are familiar with the most useful and modern test methods and instrumentations dedicated to polymer and soft matter characterization.
The students are able to select the appropriate test method to access chemical, thermal or mechanical properties of polymers.

• Basics in polymer and soft matter sciences. Basics in macromolecular chemistry.