Polimeric Materials Processing
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge about different methods of processing and recycling of polymers, their equipment and procedures. At the end of the course the student should be able to choose the most appropriate method for the manufacture of a given object, and choose the most appropriate procedure in each case. It should also be able to choose the most appropriate method for valuation of a given polymeric solid waste and implement it.
General characterization
Code
12616
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Maria Teresa Varanda Cidade
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - Available soon
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
There are no mandatory precedents. However, it is recommended that students attend the CUs dedicated to polymeric materials, as well as the CU Rheology of Materials.
Bibliography
“Plastics Engineering”, R.J. Crawford, Pergamon Press, 1987.
Matiéres Plástiques II”, Jean Bost, Technique & Documentation, 1986.
“Tecnologia de Transformação de Plásticos – Texto de Apoio”, M. T. Cidade, FCT/UNL, 1995.
“Recycling and Recovery of Plastics” J. Brandrup (Ed.), Hanser Publishers, 1995.
“Polymer, The Environment and Sustainable Development”, A. Azapagia, A. Emsley, I. Hamerton, John Wiley & Sons, 2003.
Teaching method
Part I - Processing
With regard to the theoretical contents, exposure of matter will be taken resourting to data show. The slides will be made available to students on the course page. This page will contain all elements relating to the discipline: objectives, program content, scheduling of different types of classes, methods of assessment, problems, scripts of practical work, methods and assessment results, recommended bibliography and summaries.
Concerning problems, students will be asked to solve them previously, the classes serving for correction and clarification of doubts. At the end of the classes of problems, all students, whether they have done, or not, prior resolution of the proposed exercises, will be aware of the resolution, which will be made in the chalkboard, whenever possible by the students themselves.
For practical content, a laboratory class will be given concerning where an extruded plastic tape will be prepared and there will be a field trip in which students will take contact with different technologies, such as injection molding, thermoforming and calendering
Part II-Recycling
The theoretical concepts will be taught in a manner analogous to Part I.
A study visit will also be performed, to a polymer recycling facility. Some case studies will be undertaken.
Evaluation method
The final grade is obtained resorting to the formula
NF = 70% NT + 30% NP + X
with
NT - classification of the tests or exam
NP - calssification obatined in the questionnaires concerning the laboratory classes and field trips
X, value between -1 and +1, given based in the participation of the students in the different classes
NT will be found resorting to 2 tests or the exam. The first and second tests will enter in the calculation with 70% and 30%, respectively. The same percentage will be applied in the exam, concerning therespective subjects
The students who obtain, as a classification of continuous assessment, a minimum of 9.5 val will be exempt from examination. Those who having frequency do not obtain the minimum for exemption from examination (minimum of 8 val in 1st test), have access to the exam. The frequency is obtained by the weighted average of the two questionnaires (70/30), with a minimum of 9.5.
Endnotes:
The TE students are obliged to attend the lab classes and field trips
The frequency will be assigned for a period of two years.
Subject matter
Introduction: batch and continuous processes, techniques and examples of final articles manufactured by these two types of processes.
Extrusion (plates, sheets and films, fibers and monofilaments, extrusion-blowing, extrusion-coating of electric wires and granulation-extrusion), injection molding, injection blow molding, calendering and thermoforming: process steps, equipment and procedures: materials and applications. Processing including composite laminates. Particular case of thermoset processing: compression molding, transfer and injection molding: equipment, procedure.
Brief reference to other technologies: reaction injection molding (RIM), rotational molding, cast thermoplastics, coatings, co-injection, pultrusion, SMC, manufacturing of foams, machining, additive manufacturing.
Valorization of Polymeric Waste. Life cycle of a polymeric material. Waste sources. Solid waste recovery techniques. Valorization technologies. Sustainable development and life cycle analysis. Assessment of Environmental Impacts and identification of “hot-spots” in the life cycle of products.
Mechanical recycling: reduction, classification/separation, washing, decontamination, drying, automatic intensive decontamination methods, selection/separation. Additivation of recycled and recycled polymer processing techniques.