Polymer Processing Skills

Volledige vakbeschrijving

In this skills course, both the processing and mechanical analysis of polymer materials is explored. The course builds upon the first year courses Engineering in a Circular Economy, Fundamentals of Engineering, Chemical Engineering and has a strong link to the second year courses Organic Chemistry, Biobased Materials and Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering. Generally, four different elements are discussed and tested: basic melt-behaviour of materials (rheology), compounding of pure polymer materials and their blends (extrusion) followed by injection molding, mechanical testing and thermal reprocessing (recycling). Mechanical testing is conducted through tensile testing and impact testing. Different techniques for constructing composite materials are addressed and their potential for recycling is investigated. Similarly, techniques for the development of thermosetting composites and coatings are explored together with their potential for recycling or reprocessing. Finally, you are requested to make use of the learned skills to design and create a polymer product which can be used for different applications after recycling and present on your findings in a final presentation.