PLLS 0014 - Plastic Material Selection: From Concept to Production

Instruction Methods Live Online

Course Description

This course presents a comprehensive approach to plastic material selection. Using common layman’s language, we will translate generic terms about a material’s characteristics – such as stiffness, strength and toughness – into specific technical properties that are relevant – and quantifiable – to the intended application. We will review industry standard tests that are used to quantify these properties and discuss how to interpret and understand the behavior of the material in the intended application based on the available property data.

Course Outline/Topics

Attendees will also be introduced to the world of commodity and engineering plastics. Using case histories and commercial examples, we will explore how these materials are used, and why they are used, and – most important of all – costs (including raw material costs, processing costs and cost of secondary operations). We will explore various methods for material selection and discuss when and how to apply a given method.

Day 1

Material Science Refresher
- Important Concepts
- Polymer Chemistry
- Polymer Characterization
Performance
- Key Mechanical Performance Criteria
- Performance Killers
- Performance Evaluation
Key Thermoplastic Materials
- An Overview of Key Plastic Materials
- Commodity Plastics
- Engineering Plastics
- Specialty Plastics
Key Plastic Manufacturing Processes

Day 2

Selecting the Manufacturing Process
Selecting Materials
Finding / Evaluating Data on Plastic Materials
Managing the Material Specification Process
Evaluating Suppliers
Working with Suppliers
Troubleshooting
Additional Resources

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Construct an understanding of plastic material behavior from molten resin to end-use performance
Examine and calculate costs (including raw material costs, processing costs and costs of secondary operations)
Identify key material families, including notable applications
Recognize how to write a comprehensive material specification

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for technical professionals of all levels especially those involved in the design and manufacturing of products made from plastics, including designers, engineers and project managers. It is also useful for anyone involved in sales, marketing and technical support of plastic materials.