Biopolymers & Bioplastics

Polymer Processing and Modelling

 Polymer processing is the technique of converting raw polymeric materials into completed products having desirable shape, microstructures and properties. The raw form of polymers is available initially as pellets which are heated to its glass transition temperature to form into a viscous fluid. The fluid is then subjected to moulding and rapid solidification by cooling which results in the development of the required shape and microstructures. This method has been a standard since for thermoplastic processing since the 1960s. Thermosetting plastics utilize a similar processing method but with additives and cross-linking agents. The crosslinking formed after cooling are and irreversible and re-heating will not be effective in liquefying the polymers.

Polymers modeling process has become prominent since the last decade, especially for processing soft materials. New sampling methods are developed to increase the exploration of configuration space, which has been still continues to be of paramount importance in the determining the properties of polymeric materials. The time duration and scaling issues are being addressed with new coarse-grained methods, while more traditional methods are being applied in increasing chemical complexity and reality.