Materials Appreciation

Course Content

This course is appropriate for anyone involved in the plastics material selection process for development projects, staff involved in a consolidation process for materials used within existing components and also those who need knowledge of how to process these materials correctly.

Aim of the course

Attending the course will ensure that the delegates have a general understanding of the most common polymer materials, available additives, processing requirements and identification testing procedures. In addition, the course will explain the history of plastics materials development, as well as potential future developments associated with the topic.

On completion of the course the delegates will be able to:

• Understand why the mechanical properties of various materials are different
• State the chemical names, their abbreviations and common trade names for a range of materials
• Classify different polymers in various sub-sections depending upon molecular structure and service properties
• Explain the reasons why polymer melts behave as they do when processed
• Differentiate between a range of mechanical properties quoted by material suppliers
• Select materials based on their properties and additives available
• Select manufacturing processes suitable for various material types
• Describe suitable application areas for various polymer materials
• Conduct material identification test procedures using various techniques
• Contribute to future material selection and consolidation activities to reduce the cost involved

Outcomes

Attending candidates will leave the course having heard the theory behind materials developments and been involved in ‘hands-on’ identification exercises for a range of polymers. They will also have discussed the various topic areas to draw on experiences that illustrate the key points being made throughout the course by the tutor.