About the Course
This 3-day class introduces basic principles, techniques, and equipment for the most commonly-used physical and analytical tests on polymeric materials, including: mechanical properties, chemical analysis, combustibility, instrumental analysis, electrical properties, and thermal aging.
Please note: This course emphasizes fundamentals rather than advanced theory.
On-Site Training Available
ASTM can bring this course to your site for groups of 15 or more. On-site training courses can also be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more information, contact: Scott Murphy, phone: (610) 832-9685, fax: (610) 832-9668.
Free ASTM Membership
Attend this course and receive a FREE 1-year membership to ASTM International and Committee D20 on Plastics. (Applies to new members only and may not be used to renew existing memberships)
Attention: Professional Engineers
If your state has a continuing education requirement for license renewal, ASTM training courses and ASTM membership can help you meet that requirement.
Who Should Attend
Technicians, shop foremen, sales representatives, technical liaisons, professionals new to testing, process engineers, laboratory supervisors and managers accountable for quality assurance or product development, and anyone who needs knowledge of test methods.
Fee Includes
Referenced ASTM standards, course notes, refreshment breaks, a Certificate of Completion, and 2.0 CEUs.
Refunds will be made for cancellations received before the first day of class.
Course Outline
General
*Basic Polymer Structure & Explanation of Terms
*Analyzing Test Data
*ASTM Standards
Mechanical Properties
*Viscoelastic Behavior-effects of time, temperature, & speed of testing
*Force/Deformation Curves
*Static Tests-tensile, flexural, etc.
*Impact Tests; Long-Term Tests
*Measuring Yield Point, Strain, 4 Kinds of Modulus, etc.
*Computerization & Automation
Introduction to Analytical Techniques
*Chemical Analysis
*Spectroscopy: infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, etc.
*Chromatography: gas/liquid
*Microscopy
*Thermal Methods
*Molecular Characterization: viscosity, size exclusion, etc.
Application of Instrumental & Chemical Methods
*Additives: types, sample preparation, methods of analysis
*Foreign Materials in Plastics
*Polymer Residuals: headspace analysis by GC, LC
*Polymer: spectroscopy, molecular characterization
*Others: FDA associated, odor, taste, etc.
Aging (Plastics)
*Aging Mechanisms and Rates
*Exposure Conditions
*Failure Examples
Flammability/Combustibility Testing
*Flame Spread: small-, medium-, and large-scale tests
*Heat Release; Smoke; Toxicity; Corrosivity
About the Instructors
Charles G. Smith, a consultant, recently retired after 28 years in the analytical sciences laboratory of The Dow Chemical Co. There he developed methods, and applied chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques to the analysis of polymeric systems, including the application of pyrolysis techniques for the identification and characterization of polymers. He has published over 15 technical papers and is an active member of ASTM. Smith received a B.S degree from Allegheny College and an M.S. in analytical chemistry from the Univ. of Michigan.
Paul Graboff, a plastics consultant, excels in technical management, quality assurance, testing, research, and development. In addition to being a Fellow of ASTM, he is also an active member of ACS, SPE, and the U.S. TAG to ISO TC/61 on Plastics. Graboff is a graduate of the Stevens Institute of Technology, New York University, and New York City Community College.
Bob Lambert, a consultant, recently retired from Eastman Chemical Company after 35 years service. In addition to extensive experience in physical testing and color assessment, he has been involved in the development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and technical service aspects of the plastics industry throughout his career. He has actively participated in ASTM and SPE for many years and prior to retirement was the chairman of ASTM D20.40 Subcommittee on Optical Properties. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University.
About ASTM and Sponsoring Committee D20
Established in 1898, ASTM is one of the world's largest voluntary standards development organizations. ASTM standards have grown to be among the world's most widely used and accepted documents. The 81-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards (now available on CD ROM) contain over 11,000 standards written by 34,000 members on 140 technical committees. These standards are widely used throughout the world as the basis of purchasing and other contracts, codes, laws and regulations. The standards referenced in this course were developed by ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics. For information on Committee D20, contact Brynn Murphy at (610) 832-9640 or go to our D20technical committee page.
ASTM Standards Referenced
The following standards will be distributed as representative samples:
Test Methods:
D882 Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D3895 Oxidative Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
D5296 Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography
Specification:
D2103 Polyethylene Film and Sheeting