Aim of this course is to give the specific knowledge about: 1) the structure and properties of specialty polymers and their applications; 2) the degradation phenomena, which take place during the life cycle of polymers; 3) the evaluation of the polymers durability and stabilization; 4) the recycling possibilities of polymers at the end of life

The student should be able to: 1) use the specialty polymers for the different applications; 2) understand the degradation mechanisms and the techniques exploited for stabilizing polymers; 3) know the types of recycling, which are most suitable for each kind of plastic material.

Basic knowledge in Organic Chemistry (functional groups, organic reactions) and in Polymer Science and Technology (polymerization reactions, molecular weight, morphology of polymers, process technologies)

Cohesion forces in polymers, cohesive energy, solubility parameter.
Polymers with high thermal and mechanical properties. Technopolymers: polyacetals, nylons, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene oxide.
Mesomorphous structures: liquid crystal polymers and applications. Advanced polymers: properties, processing technologies and main application sectors.
Polysulfones, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, aliphatic and aromatic polyketones. Fluorinated polymers: rubber, fluorinated coatings. Silicon polymers: oils, rubbers, silicon resins.
Gas and liquid permeability. Main polymers for barrier properties. Adhesives, adhesion mechanisms of polymers and different substrates.
Polymers for use in electric and electronic fields. Electrical properties of polymers and structure-properties relationship: insulating, semiconductor and conductor polymers. Optoelectronic polymers. Piezoelectric polymers. Technologies for advanced polymers for electronics. Photolithography, stereolithography, photoreticolation techniques. Optical properties of polymers, Polymeric lens. Nanostructured polymers for advanced applications: preparation methods and properties.

Thermal degradation: principles and mechanisms for vinyl polymers and polymers with heteroatoms in the chain. Techniques of thermal analysis (TGA, DSC, TVA, DMA, TG-FTIR, TG-MS, Py-GC-MS)
Photodegradation: principles and mechanisms. Thermo and photooxidation: principles and mechanisms. Stabilization: additives. Experimental methods for photooxidation and aging.
Mechanical and thermomechanical degradation. Flame retardancy in polymers: principles, mechanisms. Tests and standards of flammability and combustion. Flame retardant additives. Biodegradation: principles and mechanisms.
Valorization of plastic recycle. Normative for plastic recycle. Chemical, energic and mechanical recycle. Recycle technologies, Industrial applications.

Exercises will be performed in the classroom. There will also be visits to industries on plastics recycle.

Slides, Encyclopedia of polymer science and engineering / ed. board Herman F. Mark
ATTI del XVIII Convegno Scuola AIM 'Degradazione e stabilizzazione dei materiali polimerici', Gargnano (BS), 1996

The exam is a written exam in order to test the knowledge and the understanding of the advanced polymers application, the degradation mechanisms and the recycle of polymers. There will be 3 open questions (45 min.). After that it will be an oral exam in order to deepen the topics of the written part.