Standard

 

MCA 232 – Plastics Theory

Course Description

Emphasizes selection of materials, equipment, tooling, and design requirements for the manufacturing processes of plastics. Topics include: chemical makeup and properties of plastics, molding processes, construction theory of molds, machinability and application of plastics, thermosetting plastics, and thermoplastic plastics.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Chemical Makeup and Properties of Plastics

Class

5

Molding Processes

D. Lab

0

Construction Theory of Molds

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Machinability and Application of Plastics

Credit

5

Thermosetting Plastics

 

 

Thermoplastics Plastics

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

Program admission

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

CHEMICAL MAKEUP AND PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS

10

0

0

Plastic structure

Explain the basic elements present in all plastics.

 

 

 

 

Explain ionic and covalent bonds and which bond is present in plastic molecules.

 

 

 

 

List the plastic compounds and their chemical makeup.

 

 

 

 

Discuss molecular architecture of plastics.

 

 

 

Molecular control

Describe pendant groups, linear and non-linear monopolymers and how branching can be controlled to give specific shapes (star, " + ", or comb) to molecules.

 

 

 

 

Explain condensation polymerization and addition polymerization.

 

 

 

MOLDING PROCESSES

10

0

0

Types of molding processes

Explain each molding process; why it is used; the types of plastics that can be molded and the types of products produced by each process.

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION THEORY OF MOLDS

10

0

0

Properties

Describe the thermo properties of mold materials.

 

 

 

Mold components

Explain risers, cooling of metals in a mold and how cooling rates or direction of cooling can be controlled.

 

 

 

 

Define pattern allowances and how they are built into a mold or pattern.

 

 

 

 

Explain how shell molds are made.

 

 

 

 

Explain the purpose of cores, the materials and methods to form cores.

 

 

 

 

Describe the molds used in die casting, slush casting, centrifugal, high-low pressure and gravity permanent mold casting.

 

 

 

Types of molds

Describe lost wax molds, plaster mold casting, unbonded sand and vacuum molding, and molding with disposable patterns.

 

 

 

Raw materials

List the raw materials for the type of thermosetting plastic produced.

 

 

 

 

Explain how resins (liquid or dry) and hardners work.

 

 

 

 

Describe the affect heat, pressure or both heat and pressure has on thermosetting plastics.

 

 

 

MACHINABILITY AND APPLICATIONS OF PLASTICS

9

0

0

Types and advantages

Identify types of plastics that are machinable, used in production and have replaced metal parts.

 

 

 

 

List the advantages of plastic over metal and note any disadvantages.

 

 

 

Applications

Describe the uses for the common plastics and identify the physical properties that make the particular plastic desirable for that use.

 

 

 

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS

9

0

0

Properties

Describe the physical properties, chemical bonding and methods of producing thermosetting plastics.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the problems and limitations of molding thermosetting polymers.

 

 

 

Applications

Describe crosslinking and how it affects the molecular size of thermosetting polymers.

 

 

 

 

List the common applications of thermosetting plastics, their physical properties, advantages over thermoplastics and limitations.

 

 

 

THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS

2

0

0

Properties

Describe the physical properties, chemical bonding and methods of producing thermoplastic plastics.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books

 

Allyn, E. (1987). Mold design I: For plastic injection. Woodstock, NY: Allyn Air Advertising and Publicity.

Bhattacharya. (1987). Metal-filled polymers: Properties and applications. New York: Dekker.

Birley, A. W., et al. (1988). Plastics materials: Properties and applications. New York: Routledge Chapman & Hall.

Brown, R. L. (1980). Design and manufacture of plastic parts. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Calvert, E. (1980). Injection moulding. Trans-Atl Phila.

Chkeremisinoff. (1989). Handbook of polymer science and technology, vol. 2: Performance properties of plastics and elastomers. New York: Dekker.

DuBois, J. H., & Pribble, W. I. (1987). Plastics mold design engineering handbook. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Dym, J. B. (1987). Injection molds and molding. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Epstein, G., & Schwartz, S. (1985). Mold design and moldmaking for plastics products. New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Foams: Molding thermosetting and thermoplastic structural foam. (1983). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Gastrow, H., & Stoeckhert, K. (1983). Injection molds: One hundred two designs. New York: Oxford University Press.

Glanvill, A. B., & Denton, E. N. (1965). Injection-mould design fundamentals. New York: Industrial Press.

Injection molding-plastics. (1983). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Injection molding, extrusion, mold making and design, machinery and equipment, color and decorating, and management. (1981). Proceedings of SPE Pactec '81, August 25-27, 1981, Los Angeles, California. New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Injection molding machinery and accessories, 1976-January 1985. (1984). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Injection molding of plastics. (1984). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Isayev. (1987). Injection and compression molding fundamentals. New York: Dekker.

Johannaber, F. (1983). Injection molding machines: A user's guide. New York: Oxford University Press.

Machining processes and properties of plastics and elastomers, 1973-April 1985. (1985). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Menges, G., & Mohren, P. (1986). How to make injection moulds. New York: Oxford University Press.

Mold release agents for rubbers and plastics, 1973-1986. (1984). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Nyborg, R. L. (1989). Plastic injection molding made easy. Provo, UT: Regal Pubns.

Reaction injection molding of polymers. (1984). New York: T-C Pubns CA.

Robinson, J. S. (1981). Plastics molding: Equipment, processes, and materials. Lake Mary, FL: Polymers and Plastics Tech Publishing House.

Rosato, D. V., & Rosato, D. V. (1988). Blow molding handbook. New York: Macmillan.

Rosato, D. V., & Rosato, D. V. (1985). Injection molding handbook. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Schwartz, S., & Goodman, S. (1982). Plastics materials and processes. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Society of Plastics Engineers Staff. (1985). Tooling challenges for the 80's: Injection molding tooling: Design, materials, methods. Regional Technical Conference, the Erie Hilton Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, April 2-3, 1985. New York: Bks Demand UMI.

Sors, L., & Balazs, I. (1989). Design of plastic moulds and dies. New York: Elsevier.

Sors, L. (1981). Plastics molds and dies. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Stoeckhert, K. (1983). Mold-making handbook: For the plastics engineer. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tobin, W. J. (1985). Quality control manual for injection molding. New York: T-C Pubns CA.