Polymer Formulation for Processing and Design

Catalog description

This course is designed for senior-level PES students that are prepared to learn the inter-relationships between part design and specifications, processing constraints, and final material formulation requirements. This course requires the student to critically examine a commercial part of complex geometry intended for a challenging application environment, and then formulate a polymer system that can be used to produce an injection molded part that will meet specifications. The course is not limited to theoretical discussion; the students are expected to produce and test their material formulation, using twin screw extrusion, injection molding and a variety of testing capabilities available in the Penn State Plastics Laboratory. Real material properties will be assessed and applied to FEA analysis, and the simulated performance (tensile and compression strength) of the part will be compared to the actual molded properties as assessed in the lab. This lab requires faculty to select and work with an existing but retired industrial injection mold and geometry in order to provide students with a realistic level of complexity in their study.