Fundamentals of Plastic Material Selection
This course presents a methodology for plastic material selection. Using common layman’s language, we translate generic terms about a material’s characteristics, such as stiffness, strength and toughness, into specific technical properties that are relevant and quantifiable to the intended application. We review industry standard tests that are used to quantify these properties and discuss how to interpret and understand the behavior of the material in the intended application based on the available property data.
This course can be applied to the Plastics Technology Certificate.
Instructor

Eric R.Larson is a mechanical engineer with over 30 years of experience in plastics engineering. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he spent his early career as an application engineer for DuPont Engineering Plastics providing support on plastic part ... read more
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for technical professionals involved in the design and manufacturing of products made from plastic, including designers,engineers, technical managers, and technical sales and marketing staff. A basic understanding of materials is a prerequisite.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Develop an understanding of plastic material behavior from molten resin to end-use performance
- Examine and calculate costs (including raw material costs, processing costs and costs of secondary operations)
- Become familiar with key material families, including notable applications
Course Outline/Topics
You are introduced to the world of commodity and engineering plastics. Using case histories and commercial examples, you explore how these materials are used and why they are used, and, most important of all, the costs involved, including raw material costs, processing costs and cost of secondary operations. At the conclusion of the course, you have the knowledge to write a comprehensive material specification for any given application.
Note: While this course is primarily focused on injection molding, the methodology is applicable to most thermoplastic processing technologies, including blow molding, rotational molding, thermoforming and extrusion.
Date: Tue-Wed, Nov 14-15
Delivery Method: Live Online
Time: 8am-4:30pm CT
Platform: Zoom
Instructor: Eric Larson
Fee:
$1,255 by Oct 31
$1,390 after Oct 31
CEUs: 1.4, PDHs: 14
Enrollment Limit: 22
Program Number: 4830-15628
Registration Deadline: Nov 7