Location: 

Shawbury, Shropshire, UK

Course Dates:

Tue 4th - Wed 5th June 2013
Tue 1st - Wed 2nd October 2013

Duration: 

2 Days

Course Overview

This course will provide a simplified explanation of the manufacture of polyurethanes; the generic chemistry by which they are all formed and how additives are used to achieve the modifications that give us the wide range of properties that make these materials so versatile.

The unique structure of the polyurethanes supply chain will also be explained in relation to the process stage and application.
The course is intended as an introduction for people who are either newcomers to the PU industry or whose core business lies outside PU manufacture who supply into or purchase from PU manufacturers and require a reasonable technical appreciation of the industry.

This course can also be used as a preparation for people intending to join the higher level ‘Understanding Polyurethanes’ seminar.

Attendance on this course can also contribute credits towards an MSc in Polymer Engineering Design.

Course Objectives:

As a result of attending the course, participants will gain:

• An appreciation of versatility of Polyurethane materials
• A grounding in the basic chemical building blocks used to produce the PU product range
• An appreciation of the major role that additives play in determining product characteristics
• An insight into the various technologies required to produce the final end-user products
• An overview of the environmental impact of PU processing and materials

Content:

What is a polymer? A generic introduction

What are Polyurethanes? An overview of this highly versatile polymer; its products and applications.
The basic science that makes the applications work!

• A very concise but important overview of the (complex) chemistry involved and the various basic building blocks that are required to produce the wide range of products, both thermosetting and thermoplastic.
• How molecular structure affects the properties of these materials.

Quality Control Techniques: for measuring consistency of these products

The Structure of the PU Supply Chain – Chemical Packages, Systems Houses and Customers - an explanation of the structure of the PU Supply Chain: e.g. the chemical manufacturer, the systems house, the manufacturer or the end user and the economic and logistical factors that impact upon the ‘chemical package’ that the customer purchases.

Additives: The function of additives: blowing agents (including water), catalysts, surfactants, UV stabilizers & antioxidants, cell modifiers, flame retardants and others which help to determine and control the properties of PU materials.

Processing & Quality Control Techniques:

• Key processing criteria
• Machines
• Selected applications

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU’s)

Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers

PU and the environment:

• Environmental Agencies, considerations
• Recycling (end of use) opportunities

 Who will benefit?

• Newcomers to the PU industry or those who have had no formal technical training in, or prior knowledge of, PU – typical positions include:
  • Junior processing technicians
  • Analysts
  • Quality control / quality assurance technicians
  • EHS practitioners
• Managers and professionals in areas such as sales, marketing, purchasing and other roles where a knowledge of PU materials and processing technologies would improve confidence and communication with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
• Suppliers to the PU industry themselves, whether it be raw materials or engineering or machinery.
• PU Systems end-users (foamers, extruders): production managers, engineers.
• Non-PU polymer industries; technical/ business managers who want a basic insight into the technical practicalities of PU Manufacture.

Course Presenters:

Martyn Bentley, CChem MRSC, MIOM Cromar Solutions Ltd

Colin Tweedale MSc, CChem, MRSC Associate PU Consultant to Cromar Solutions Ltd.