Polymer Processing and Laboratory Work

Objectives

The student can the basics of industrial processing and manufacturing methods of plastics and elastics. The student can use safe laboratory working methods and can utilize information given in Safety Data Sheets. He/she can also apply working instructions and polymer testing standards.

Content

Processing of plastics: extrusion, injection moulding/reaction injection moulding, blow forming, vacuum molding, roto moulding and calendaring. Processing of elastics: compounding, extrusion, moulding, calendaring, vulcanization and finishing.
Changing group of works related to polymer testing methods, processing methods and analytics, excursions to polymer processing companies.

Prerequisites

Polymers and Composites

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Knowing: The student knows the core contents of polymer processing, like processing methods and concepts, on a general level. The student participates to all labs and writes necessary reports. The structure and analyses of student’s report may have some shortages and can be partly erroneous or discussion contains very few, simple conclusions.
Acting: The student manages the assigned tasks under supervision/assistance.
Being: The student can give and receive feedback, can work in a group, takes responsibility for his/her own work.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Knowing: The student knows the core contents of polymer processing and also some special techniques. The student can choose a suitable processing method for a product. The student participates to all labs and writes necessary reports. Reports have been done correctly according to the reporting standards of TAMK. Discussion contains some relevant comments relating to the results and applications.
Acting: The student applies substance matter learnt in previous studies, makes a plan/plans before carrying out tasks, limits tasks/problems to have an appropriate scope, solves problems.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Knowing: The student knows the core contents of polymer processing very well and knows also the special techniques. The student can choose the most suitable processing method for a product. The student has done measurements and reports with comprehensive, active, collaborative working and his/her results and analyses are correct. His/her reports include structured, fluent, especially transparent text, vision of limitations and improvements, broad mature discussion and own conclusions related to the topics.
Acting: The student can search for diverse solution alternatives, justify his/her choices, assesses new solution alternatives, combines solution alternatives creatively or creates new ones.