Introduction to Polymer Materials

Polymer materials are extremely versatile and becoming increasingly popular in all areas of modern life. There are many types and grades of plastics available to today’s designer with new formulations developing daily. This one day hands-on experience course is designed to provide a coherent & logical guide to the different types of polymer materials available commercially, with emphasis on their properties and applications.

The course will also introduce the main material selection techniques and enhance understanding & interpretation of the complex technical information provided by material suppliers. The beneficial environmental impact of different polymers will also be covered. This course does not require any prior knowledge and is suitable for those with little or no experience in the subject. The course is supported by the British Plastics Federation.

Course aims and benefits

This course is designed to provide:

• Comprehensive overview of polymer materials
• Insight into their structure/properties relationship
• Introduction to material selection techniques
• Design considerations for plastics
• Awareness of beneficial environmental impact  & sustainable design principles
• Opportunity to obtain hands-on experience in testing & characterisation of different types of plastics

The course is based around a series of lectures and practical sessions with opportunities for discussion, covering the following:

• Overview of Thermoplastics, their properties & applications
• Overview of Rubbers and Thermosetting Resins, their properties & applications
• Overview of Polymer-based Composites, their properties & applications
• Sources of information & material selection
• Effective Design
• Environmental impact: Polymer recycling and re-use
• Practical sessions:
   - Polymer testing (mechanical properties)
   - Polymer characterisation (thermal and spectroscopic techniques)

On successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between wide range of polymer materials, their properties and applications
• Interpret technical information provided by  material suppliers (material data sheets)
• Appreciate importance of material selection in effective design
• Appreciate the environmental benefits of plastics
• Gain practical experience of working with different types of plastics

This course is supported by the British Plastics Federation (BPF)

Who should attend?

This one day hands-on experience course is intended for those who would benefit from a comprehensive introduction to different types of polymer materials (plastics, rubbers, thermosetting resins and polymer-based composites) and their properties to successfully manage material selection for a wide range of applications (e.g. designers, product development engineers, architects).  This course is also suitable for non-technical staff employed in industrial support areas such as sales and marketing, buying, costing and warehouse & distribution departments who require detailed knowledge of different types of polymer materials and their properties.

This course does not require any prior knowledge and is suitable for those with little or no experience in the subject. 

Course leader

Elena Onyshchenko

Senior Lecturer in Polymer Materials

How to apply

To book onto one of our Short Courses, please follow this link to the London Metropolitan University eShop

Discounts
A 20% discount is available for;
- Those who are registered as unemployed and in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or ESA
- Those whose sole or main income is a DSS state retirement pension
- Those who are registered as disabled and in receipt of DLA or PIP
- Full-time and part-time UK students on credit bearing courses, London Met students on year-long day courses or London Met alumni members
- London Met staff

Please contact us before booking.

Terms and Conditions

Please read our T&C's before booking.

Location

The Cass Short Courses
41 – 71, Commercial Road
London, E1 1LA

More information:

Tel: +44(0) 207 320 1842
Email:  [email protected]