Fracture and Failure of Plastics

To register, fill out the registration form and fax it to (978) 934-2028. For more information about registering, click here.

3 DAY LECTURE/WORKSHOP
OFFERED TWICE:
March 16-18, 2009 (CRS# 00.721-001)
July 13-15, 2009 (CRS# 00.721-012)

TUITION: $1195

OVERVIEW
During the eighties, the National Bureau of Standards conducted a study that assessed the cost of material failure in the U.S. as four percent of the gross national product. This report projected increases in that total as new, more advanced materials became available, and as ever greater structural requirements were expected of them. Although much of the study dealt with non-polymeric materials, polymers contributed significantly towards the total. This course provides a basic understanding of the failure behavior of polymeric materials and the tenets of fracture mechanics as they are applied in investigating failure in these materials. Understanding is developed through case studies coupled with a concise survey of available technology as outlined below.

CONTENT

Introduction

Materials

• Metals, ceramics and polymers
• Theoretical properties
• Types of failures
• Characterization; Molecular structure; Stress/strain relationships; Deformation behavior; Viscoelastic features

Failure mechanisms

Fracture mechanics

Polymeric materials

• Thermoplastics; Glassy thermosets; Semi-crystalline; Elastomers; Rubber-toughened plastics; Reinforced composites

Case studies of plastics material failure

INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Ross Stacer