Lecture
This lecture covers the thermodynamic aspects of glass and melting transitions in polymers, including the determination of transitions using dilatometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. It also explores the structural models of the amorphous phase and the characterization methods of bulk polymers through X-ray diffraction. The lecture delves into the transitions of specific polymers like PET, poly(propylene), and polyethylene, discussing their temperature ranges and crystallinity. Various methods for characterizing bulk polymers are explained, such as X-ray diffraction, DSC, and DMA, providing insights into the behavior of polymers in different states.