Processing and recycling of polymers (6 CFU)

Maria-Beatrice Coltelli  

References to polymers classification, rheology and viscoelastic behavior of polymer melts. Measurement of “melt index” of polymer melts. Temperature effects. References to monophasic and multiphase polymeric systems and their rheology.

Reactions occurring during processing and their investigation. Reactive polymer processing and compounding of polymer blends. Processing of blends, polymer composites and nano-composites. 

Extrusion technology: machinery and relevant processing parameters. Fundamentals of injection moulding and thermoforming, compression moulding, blow molding. Analysis of the moulding process and post-processing technologies. Computer modelling and simulation of polymer processing. Latest innovations in processing techniques.

Recyclability of polymeric materials: durability implications; separation and contamination implications; compatibility implications; legislation and standardization implications; recycling of plastics coming from packaging, end life vehicles and waste electric and electronic equipment.

Case studies and challenges: recycling of waste PET;

Bioplastics classification. Processing and recycling of biobased PLA.

Recycling of thermosets; infinitely recyclable plastics thanks to reversible crosslinking approaches

oral exam