GATE 2025 Polymer Science and Engineering Syllabus (XE-F) gives you details of the latest GATE syllabus for the subject released by the official gate organizing institute IIT Roorkee 2025. We also created an easy-to-use ad-free mobile app for the GATE syllabus, previous year papers with keys, gate calculator, virtual calculator, and more. Download iStudy App for all GATE preparation needs.
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GATE 2025 Polymer Science and Engineering syllabus (XE-F)
Section 1: Chemistry of high polymers
Monomers, functionality, degree of polymerizations, classification of polymers, glass transition, melting transition, criteria for rubberiness, polymerization methods: addition and condensation; their kinetics, metallocene polymers and other newer methods of polymerization, copolymerization, monomer reactivity ratios and its significance, kinetics, different copolymers, random, alternating, azeotropic copolymerization, block and graft copolymers, techniques for polymerization-bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion. Concept of intermolecular order (morphology) – amorphous, crystalline, orientation states. Factor affecting crystallinity. Crystalline transition. Effect of morphology on polymer properties.
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Section 2: Polymer Characterization
Solubility and swelling, Concept of molecular weight distribution and its significance, concept of average molecular weight, determination of number average, weight average, viscosity average and Z-average molecular weights, polymer crystallinity, analysis of polymers using IR, XRD, thermal (DSC, DMTA, TGA), microscopic (optical and electronic) techniques, Molecular wt. distribution: Broad and Narrow, GPC, mooney viscosity.
Section 3: Synthesis, manufacturing and properties
Commodity and general purpose thermoplastics: PE, PP, PS, PVC, Polyesters, Acrylic, PU polymers. Engineering Plastics: Nylon, PC, PBT, PSU, PPO, ABS, Fluoropolymers Thermosetting polymers: Polyurethane, PF, MF, UF, Epoxy, Unsaturated polyester, Alkyds. Natural and synthetic rubbers: Recovery of NR hydrocarbon from latex; SBR, Nitrile, CR, CSM, EPDM, IIR, BR, Silicone, TPE, Speciality plastics: PEK, PEEK, PPS, PSU, PES etc. Biopolymers such as PLA, PHA/PHB.
Section 4: Polymer blends and composites
Difference between blends and composites, their significance, choice of polymers for blending, blend miscibility-miscible and immiscible blends, thermodynamics, phase morphology, polymer alloys, polymer eutectics, plastic-plastic, rubber-plastic and rubber-rubber blends, FRP, particulate, long and short fibre reinforced composites. Polymer reinforcement, reinforcing fibres – natural and synthetic, base polymer for reinforcement (unsaturated polyester), ingredients / recipes for reinforced polymer composite.
Section 5: Polymer Technology
Polymer compounding-need and significance, different compounding ingredients for rubber and plastics (Antioxidants, Light stabilizers, UV stabilizers, Lubricants, Processing aids, Impact modifiers, Flame retardant, antistatic agents. PVC stabilizers and Plasticizers) and their function, use of carbon black, polymer mixing equipment, cross-linking and vulcanization, vulcanization kinetics.
Section 6: Polymer rheology
Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, different flow equations, dependence of shear modulus on temperature, molecular/segmental deformations at different zones and transitions. Measurements of rheological parameters by capillary rotating, parallel plate, cone-plate rheometer. Visco-elasticity-creep and stress relaxations, mechanical models, control of rheological characteristics through compounding, rubber curing in parallel plate viscometer, ODR and MDR.
Section 7: Polymer processing
Compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding, blow molding, reaction injection molding, filament winding, SMC, BMC, DMC, extrusion, pultrusion, calendaring, rotational molding, thermoforming, powder coating, rubber processing in two-roll mill, internal mixer, Twin screw extruder.
Section 8: Polymer testing
Mechanical-static and dynamic tensile, flexural, compressive, abrasion, endurance, fatigue, hardness, tear, resilience, impact, toughness. Conductivity-thermal and electrical, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, power factor, electric resistance, surface resistivity, volume resistivity, swelling, ageing resistance, environmental stress cracking resistance, limiting oxygen index. Heat deflection temperature -Vicat softening temperature, Brittleness temperature, Glass transition temperature, Co-efficient of thermal expansion, Shrinkage, Flammability, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, power factor, Optical Properties – Refractive Index, Luminous Transmittance and Haze, Melt flow index
Section 9: Polymer Recycling and Waste management
Polymer waste, and its impact on environment, Sources, Identification and Separation techniques, recycling classification, recycling of thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers, applications of recycled materials. Life cycle assessment of polymer products (case studies like PET bottles, packaging bags)
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GENERAL APTITUDE (Common for all branches)
Verbal Aptitude
Basic English Grammar
Tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech
Basic Vocabulary
Words, idioms, and phrases in context
Reading and Comprehension
Narrative Sequencing
Quantitative Aptitude
Data Interpretation
Data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables
Numerical Computation and Estimation
Ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series
Mensuration and Geometry
Elementary Statistics and Probability
Analytical Aptitude
Logic
Deduction and Induction
Analogy
Numerical Relations and Reasoning
Spatial Aptitude
Transformation of Shapes
Translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping
Paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions
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