Course Descriptions
ETPL 1100 Plastics Manufacturing (3) An introductory overview of the different plastic resins, processing methods, and terminology. Lectures cover different types of plastic, identification tests, polymerization, molecular growth, and processing methods. Laboratory experiences in extrusion, injection, thermoforming, compression, and other molding and fabricating operations. 3 lecture hours; $ ET
ETPL 1120 Software Tools for Technology (3) Utilization of computer hardware and a high level programming application (Mathcad®) to create worksheets, functions, 2D and 3D plots, graphics and interactive operations to develop computer programs for technology applications. 3 lecture hours; $ ET
ETPL 2200 Plastics Processing I (Extrusion/Injection Molding) (4) Basic topics in the processing of thermoplastic resins. Basic topics in extrusion processing. Hands-on operation in the study of the extrusion of thermoplastic resins. Hands-on operation of injection molding machines and introduction to principles of injection molding processing of thermoplastics. 3 lecture 3 lab hours; Preq ETPL 1100; $ ET
ETPL 2220 Plastics Processing II (Blow Molding/Compression Molding /Rotational Molding/ Thermoforming/Finishing) (4). Basic topics in the processing of thermoplastic resins. Basic topics in blow molding processing. Hands-on operation in the study of the blow molding of thermoplastic resins. Basic topics in rotational molding. Study of basic topics involved with thermoforming area of processing and the study of plastic manufacturing methods. Includes secondary operations such as printing, plating, cementing, stamping, and other decoration finishing operations.3 lecture hours 3 lab hours; Preq ETPL 2200; $ ET
ETPL 2230 Properties of Polymers I (4: 3 lecture, 3 lab) Introduction to the molecular structures, molecular mass distributions, tacticity, thermal transitions, and morphology of commercial, synthetic polymers, and their relationships to properties (from an applications standpoint). Describes of the polymerization mechanisms: step and chain growth, plus the industrial processes utilized for the manufacture of polymers: bulk, suspension, dispersion, interface, and emulsion, including the mechanisms of the current catalyst systems: Ziegler-Natta and metallocene. Extensive coverage of both the amorphous and crystalline states is provided. The viscoelastic characteristics of polymers are explained and modeled. The curing kinetics of thermoset polymers will be investigated. The lab component includes the characterization and testing of polymers, using differential scanning calorimetry and capillary rheometry, plus the Instron and Izod Impact testing machines. Prereq: MATH 2210, CHEM 1142. $ ET
ETPL 2235 Statistical Process/Quality Control I (4). Introduction to basic statistical theory: probability models for discrete and continuous random variables: their probability distributions and probability density functions. Sampling distributions for the mean, variance and ratios of variances. Hypothesis testing of means, variance, proportions, differences between means, and ratios of variances. The development and analysis of control charts for variables and attributes. Linear regression theory. Application of Taguchi’s 2-level designed experiments to polymer processing. Prereq: MATH 2210. $ ET
