Processing and Recycling of Plastics

Recommended Prerequisites

Polymer Science 

Teaching Methods

Oral exposition – theoretical concepts will be explained using audiovisual supports (mainly powerpoint presentations). Whenever possible, some demonstrations will be made in class.

Practical classes – industrial processes and ongoing research projects will be presented. Case studies will be developed (groups of 2 students) integrating the concepts of reuse/recycling.

Doubts session – whenever students want to do so, classes will be scheduled so they can clarify doubts

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills on the main methods and equipment for processing polymeric materials with a focus on their reuse/recycling, including new processing methods. Given a case study, the student must have the ability to select the most appropriate method/technology to produce a given product, incorporating recycled materials and providing for their recycling/reuse at the end of life. A close link will be made between the subject taught and various research projects taking place in this area.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to the functioning of the curricular unit: objectives; description of the discipline; teaching methodology and calendar; evaluation methods and criteria; task definition. References.

Introduction (batch and continuous processes, product examples).

Injection and co-injection molding: Steps, equipment, process variables, materials and applications. Blow injection: Steps, equipment, process variables, materials and applications. Extrusion (plates, sheets and films, fibers and filaments, blow extrusion, wire extrusion): Stages, equipment, process variables, materials and applications. Thermoforming: Steps, equipment, process variables, materials and applications. Other processes: molding of thermosensitive materials, reaction injection molding (RIM), rotational molding, pultrusion, foam manufacturing. Life cycle of a polymeric material/product, recycling and reuse. Case study.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 50.0%
Research work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Donald G. Baird, Dimitris I. Collias. Polymer Processing: Principles and Design, 2nd Edition. Wiley, 2014.

Azapagia, A., Emsley, A., Hamerton, I. Polymer. The Environment and Sustainable Development. John Wiley & Sons, 2003.