Plastic Material Selection Online

Dates: 13th November, 2024 - 29th November, 2024 (8 days)

Duration: 8 half day sessions over a condensed period of time over 8 weeks. Participants will have the option to attend the full 8 sessions or choose 1 or more specific topics from the course content below.

Location: Online

Accreditation: Plastic Material Selection

Full Fee: €995

Course code: PMSOL

Programme overview

Upon completion of this programme engineers will have the knowledge, skill and competence to understand the vast range of polymer materials available and to appropriately choose a cost-effective material for a given application, while considering processing characteristics and design considerations / limitations. Plastics are explained in terms of their chemical nature, physical properties, processing requirement and design use application. The course is supported by an extensive set of polymer descriptions, explanative notes, technical and processing data designed to support those selecting, processing and designing with plastics materials.

 

Under the topic of ‘material nature’ the trainer will be going into the chemical structure for each polymer, explaining its morphology and how this influences mechanical, chemical and flow properties of each polymer.

 

The aim is for course attendees to be able to predict certain properties of the polymer they are looking at from the chemical structure and rheological data by the end of the course. The trainer will explain how polymer properties are modified for commercial use applications (enhance properties for given applications), e.g. plasticisers, impact modification, reinforcement, ESD, fillers, extenders, anisotropy with high performance polymers, accuracy with cross linked polymers, etc. Importantly, day 5 will tie in the knowledge gained earlier in the course in the form of exercises and an examination. The mini-project after the course is an important learning tool and will effectively use the information gained in a practical context.

 

With regard to learning about thermoset, rubber and high performance polymers, this part of the course is very important with regard to expanding knowledge gained in the areas of use limitation for commodity and engineering polymers, e.g. rubber is used as an impact modifier in many polymers or to create an elastomeric blended material – a knowledge of rubber compound design would be beneficial in selection of the correct modified grade of polymer. PTFE as an additive / copolymer is becoming more popular for given applications, e.g., tribological, high temperature resistance, enhancing chemical resistance, etc, an understanding of PTFE materials and how they are used is important as this is an expanding area within polymer compound design, etc.

 

Course Schedule 

 

Day Date Time (provisional – subject to change Session
Wednesday 13th November 2023 09.30 – 13.00 Session 1 of 8
Thursday 14th November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 2 of 8
Friday 15th October 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 3 of 8
Wednesday 20th November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 4 of 8
Thursday 21st November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 5 of 8
Friday 22nd November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 6 of 8
Thursday 28th November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 7 of 8
Friday 29th November 2024 09.30 – 13.00 Session 8 of 8

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course a person will be able to:

 

  1. Identify a polymer and the family group from which it belongs
  2. Read and understand a basic polymer property technical data sheet
  3. Compile a basic plastic material use specification
  4. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of polymer family groups, material nature and properties.
  5. Compile a polymer selection matrix
  6. Undertake a polymer selection for a given design specification
  7. Identify and understand basic polymer material manufacturing defects
  8.  Use polymers more effectively

Who is the course for

This course is aimed at Plastic part and mould designers, R&D engineers, or any plastic processing technical staff wishing to update their understanding of plastic materials and material selection.

 

A basic knowledge of the nature and properties of plastics is essential if the most is to be made of these materials in terms of design, use application, processability, QA and cost effectiveness.

Assessment & Accreditation

This programme is a QQI component (minor) award, certified at Level 5 on the national framework of qualifications – see www.nfq.ie  and is an elective component of major awards including: 

  • 5M3080 – Plastics Injection Moulding
  • 5M3067 – Plastic Extrusion Blow Moulding
  • 5M3074 – Plastics Extrusion

Find out how to achieve a Major Award in Injection Moulding (Level 5)

The assessment is comprised of a written exam on the last day of the course plus an assignment that is due to be submitted 4- 6 weeks after the end of the course. An exact date and submission link is given to each course participant, with full guidance and support given by the Trainer. Trainees generally complete this assignment in their own time, over the 4-6 week period allocated.

 

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