PME Distinguished Colloquium Series Seminar - Dr. Prof. Shi-Qing Wang University of Akron, Akron, OH

Polymer Physics and Engineering: Flow, Bounce and Break – the whole nine yards<br /><br />

This seminar will discuss all aspects of mechanical characteristics of polymers in their different forms: melt/molten, glassy vs. semicrystalline (plastics) and crosslinked (elastomers vs. thermosets). In the liquid state, polymer rheology must be established on firm experimental and phenomenological grounds to guide polymer processing. Then we must figure out how structures at the chain level, e.g., chain networking through molecular uncrossability, are affected by melt deformation and crystallization. To predict whether solid polymers (plastics, elastomers and thermosets) are strain tolerant, we need relate mechanical characteristics, e.g., brittle fracture vs. ductile yielding, to the structures. Next, there is a larger question of how mechanical properties of these polymers can be improved upon understanding the relationship between the structure and ability to resist fracture. What determines the inherent strength of solid polymers? Are solid polymers flaw-tolerant? Does brittle fracture of polymers arise from flaws introduced by impurities (e.g., dusts)? This seminar will try to address these basic questions by showing how nonlinear polymer rheology, molecular mechanics and fracture mechanics of solid polymers can be treated in a unified framework to establish processing-structure-property relationship for polymers of all forms, providing the required knowledge base for development of sustainable polymeric materials.<br /><br />

HOST: Prof. Sihong Wang

<a href="https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/99652224717?pwd=RGg4Ykd6UlhPbWpqVlhoaHk5YVRu…; Zoom Link </a>