Plastic Materials Selection
- Defining the Fundamentals That Determine Plastic Properties
- Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distribution, The Foundation of Polymer Technology
- The Relationship to Viscosity
- The Relationship to Properties
- Methods of Measurement
- Methods of Polymerization: Addition and Condensation Polymers
- Effect on Properties
- Effect on Processing
- Polarity: Effects on Solvation and Chemical Compatibility
- Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline Polymers
- Detecting the Presence of Crystalline Structure
- Effects on Processing
- Effects on Properties
- Structure Property Relationships in the Molten State
- Rheology
- Thermal Stability
- Oxidative Stability
- Hydrolysis
- Structure Property Relationships in the Solid State
- Effects of Temperature
- Reduction in Strength and Stiffness at Elevated Temperatures
- Dimensional Stability
- Structural Changes Due to Thermal Aging
- Thermal Degradation and Oxidation
- Loss of Ductility at Reduced Temperatures
- Chemical Resistance: Effects of Temperature and Time
- Creep Resistance, Stress Relaxation, and Fatigue
- Defining the Mechanisms
- Data Presentation
- Accelerated Testing Methods: Advantages and Pitfalls
- The Fundamental Equivalence of Temperature and Time
- Environmental Stress Crack Resistance: The Differences from Chemical Attack
- Radiation Resistance: Weathering, Ultraviolet, Sterilization
- Tailoring the Properties of the Base Polymer
- Fillers and Reinforcements
- Long and Short Fibers
- Minerals: Talc, Mica, Calcium Carbonate and the New Nanocomposites
- High Performance Fibers: Aramid, Carbon, Ceramic, Stainless Steel
- Impact Modifiers
- Colorants
- Stabilizers: Importance to Processing and Part Performance
- Establishing the Cost/Performance Profile
- Defining Application Requirements
- Matching Requirements to a Cost-Effective Material Family
- Design Properties versus Inherent Properties
- Designing for Manufacturing: Wall Thickness, Viscosity, and Process Selection
- The Role of Simulation
- Case Studies: Successes and Failures
- Course Wrap-up: Recap, Q/A, and Evaluations
