Polymer Processing Lab

Catalog description

This lab covers basic melt processing techniques including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, compression molding and twin screw extrusion. The course will focus on the relationship between processing parameters and the quality of the polymer sample produced from all fabrication techniques. After fabricating samples (tensile bars, impact bars) mechanical properties and material degradation as a result of processing will be assessed. Twin screw compounding will be used to produce experimental polymer composite material that will then be injection molded, and the physical properties of these materials assessed and compared as a function of both material composition and compounding conditions.