PLASTIC MATERIAL PROPERTIES & SELECTION PROCESS

INTRODUCTION TO PLASTIC MATERIAL PROPERTIES  & SELECTION PROCESS

Plastic parts range from simple devices to complicated test equipment and implants. Plastics in engineering are used more and more for weight, cost, and performance purposes. This workshop will discuss plastics used in the injection molding process for medical, automotive and audio industries. The first section will review the general composition of plastic materials which will include the materials added to the basic polymers. The second section will discuss many factors that contribute to the plastic selection. The final section will review the chemistry and the application of most common plastic materials.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

• Polymer properties
• Polymer additives & modifiers
• Material selection process
• Common polymers & their physical, thermal & chemical properties
• Plastic injection molding do’s & dont’s
• Common polymer issues faced at your workplace and a systematic way to resolve

COURSE CONTENT

• Introduction to polymers (thermoplastic and thermosets) 
  • Linear, Branched, Cross-linked Polymers
  • Isomers
  • Molecular Weight

• Additives

• • Fillers
  • Impact Modifiers and Tougheners
  • Radiation Stabilizers
  • Pigments, Extenders, Dyes, Mica
  • Thermal Stabilizers & Antistats
  • BaSo4

• Material selection process
  • Physical and Mechanical Properties
    • Fatigue
    • Wear resistance
    • COF (Coefficient of friction)
    • Shrinkage
    • Moisture absorption
    • Strength
    • UV resistance
  • Flammability
  • Thermal Properties
    • CUT temperature
    • ARO temperature
  • Electrical Properties
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Sterilization Capability
  • Long-Term Durability
  • Leachables and Extractables
  • Shelf Life and Aging
  • Joining and Welding
  • Medical Grade Plastics
  • Food grade Plastics

• Common polymers & their physical, thermal & chemical properties
  • The 4 documents that we must have from every polymer raw material supplier
    • Material properties data sheet
    • Material processing data sheet
    • Material design guidelines
    • MSDS
  • Semi-crystalline resin
    • PP
    • PE
    • POM
    • PBT
    • PPS
    • PEEK
    • PFA, PVDF
    • PA
  • Amorphous resin
    • PS
    • PMMA
    • PC
    • PVC
    • ABS
    • PPE
    • PSU, PES
  • Polyurethane (PUR)
  • Fluorinated Ethylene-Propylene (FEP).
  • Methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (MABS)
  • Measurements of the resin
    • melt flow index
    • density
    • molecular weight distribution
    • melting point, softening point
  • Measurements of the converted articles
    • dimensional stability
    • shrinkage
    • warpage
    • stressed-crack
    • surface tackiness
  • How to measure and quantify shrinkage and warpage?
  • Common injection molding problems and troubleshooting