GATE Syllabus for Polymer Science and Engineering (XE – F)

GATE Syllabus for Polymer Science and Engineering (XE – F): Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering or Gate is about to take place this year but before that get to know the whole syllabus including for subjects like Polymer Science and Engineering (XE – F). One can download the syllabus which is mentioned below:

Section 1: Chemistry of High Polymers:

Monomers, classification of polymers, melting transition, functionality, glass transition, degree of polymerizations, criteria for rubberiness, kinetics, different copolymers,  polymerization methods: addition and condensation; their kinetics, copolymerization, monomer reactivity ratios and its significance, random, block and graft copolymers, metallocene polymers and other newer techniques of polymerization, techniques for copolymerizationbulk, solution, suspension, emulsion.

Section 2: Polymer Characterization:

Solubility and swelling, determination of number average, the concept of average molecular weight, weight average, polymer crystallinity, microscopic (optical and electronic) techniques, viscosity average and Z-average molecular weights, analysis of polymers using IR, XRD, thermal (DSC, DMTA, TGA),

Section 3: Synthesis and Properties:

Commodity and general purpose thermoplastics: Acrylic, PE, PP, PS, PVC, Polyesters, PU polymers. Engineering Plastics: Nylon, PC, PBT, PSU, PPO, ABS, Fluoropolymers Thermosetting polymers: Unsaturated polyester, PF, MF, UF, Epoxy, Alkyds, Natural and synthetic rubbers: Recovery of NR hydrocarbon from latex, , EPDM, IIR, BR, SBR, Nitrile, CR, CSM, Silicone, TPE.

Section 4: Polymer blends and Composites:

Difference between blends and composites, their significance, choice of polymers for blending, thermodynamics, phase morphology, blend miscibility-miscible and immiscible blends, polymer alloys, polymer eutectics, plastic-plastic, FRP, particulate, rubber-plastic and rubber-rubber blends, long and short fiber reinforced composites.

Section 5: Polymer Technology:

Polymer compounding-need and significance, crosslinking and vulcanization, vulcanization kinetics, different compounding ingredients for rubber and plastics,

Section 6: Polymer Rheology:

Molecular/segmental deformations at different zones and transitions, Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, different flow equations, the dependence of shear modulus on temperature, m. Measurements of rheological parameters by capillary rotating, parallel plate, cone-plate rheometer. Viscoelasticity-creep and stress relaxations, mechanical models, rubber curing in parallel plate viscometer, control of rheological characteristics through compounding, ODR and MDR.

Section 7: Polymer processing:

Compression molding, calendaring, rotational molding, rubber processing in the two-roll mill, internal mixer, blow molding, reaction injection molding, extrusion, transfer molding, injection molding, pultrusion, thermoforming,.

Section 8: Polymer Testing:

Mechanical-static and dynamic tensile, fatigue, swelling, aging resistance, hardness, tear, resilience, impact, toughness, flexural, compressive, abrasion, endurance. Conductivity-thermal and electrical, dissipation factor, power factor, electric resistance, dielectric constant, surface resistivity, volume resistivity, and environmental stress cracking resistance.