Fundamentals of Polymer Processing Operations

Introduction to polymer processing concepts; fundamentals of polymer melt rheology; review of simple flows; characterization of mixtures and mixing; handling of particulate polymeric solids; polymer melting operations; modelling of polymer melt pressurization and pumping; overview of polymer extrusion principles; film extrusion operations; design of extrusion dies; polymer compounding and reactive extrusion; overview of molding operations; introduction to 3D printing techniques. Students are expected to have an understanding of concepts from polymer science, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and applied numerical methods.