Branch of mechanical engineering
Thermodynamics
Energy is conserved but degrades — two laws that run engines, refrigerators, and every polymer cure cycle.
← Back to the latticeWhat it studies
Thermodynamics is the accounting system of energy: it never appears or disappears, only converts, and every conversion wastes some as low-grade heat. Engines, power plants, heat pumps, and batteries all live by its two great laws.
In polymer engineering, thermodynamics runs the factory: cure reactions release heat (exotherm), reaction rates follow temperature exponentially (Arrhenius), and a thick laminate can cook itself if the cure schedule ignores the energy balance.
Key ideas
first law: energy is conservedsecond law: heat flows hot → cold, efficiency < 100%Arrhenius: rates double-ish every ~10 °Cexotherm and thermal runaway in thick sectionsTg and Tm as thermodynamic landmarks
Work in this branch on mpolyco
Go further (open resources)
More in the library · licenses on the acknowledgements page.