Composites Thermoplastics

Suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels

Composites Academy has developed the e-learning course: Thermoplastic Composites with the support of Europe through the EIT Raw Materials. Committed to providing a unique educational pathway, the training centre has called on numerous partners to participate and support this project. To introduce thermoplastic polymers, Composites Academy called on Michel Glotin (former Scientific Director of Arkema materials, well known in the polymer community) to co-write this module.

 From this collaboration, a unique pedagogy was born. A new graphical representation of polymers in space allows to observe their transformations and behaviour under the action of heat. The creators of this course have ensured that understanding also involves observation, thus facilitating learning. From the scales of polymer organisation to the rheology of thermoplastic composites, via thermal history or crystallisation, these numerous courses enable the student to understand the phenomena at the origin of the properties of thermoplastic polymers and the conditions of their implementation. This tool enables the learner to choose the right polymer to meet the constraints of his specifications.

 To assist the user in his industrial or academic project, Composites Academy has developed a software that integrates a database of the most commonly used polymers in the field of thermoplastic composites. The learner will receive with his training (optional), an indispensable box to experiment and develop his knowledge of polymers and thermoplastic composites.

 Stamping technology is one of the modules related to thermoplastic composites. Developed in partnership with the company Daher. The latter has provided experts and technical, logistical and technological resources to validate this course. The entire module is structured so as to follow the path of a blank through the entire production chain: from the storage of the raw material to the finishing of the part, including the heating of the organosheet and the design of the tooling.

 You will find in this module all the notions intrinsic to this technology. The start-up has developed a stamping simulator with 3D elements supplied by Pinette PEI, a machine tool manufacturer.  Thanks to this, the learner immerses himself and has fun stamping all types of blanks, advised by the software according to the chosen materials. The application guides and accompanies the user to the correct machine settings. It also allows the user to calculate the production rate or the type of press needed to stamp a series of parts.

 In order to perfect its teaching methods, the start-up has enriched its courses with graphic animations, voice-overs and interactivity, making it easier to maintain the learner's attention. Other training courses relating to automated removal, overmoulding and welding will be available soon.

Pedagogical means provided :

  Digital training

  Educational tutor

  Composites Expert Software

  Box 3 - Composites thermoplastics

An end-of-course certificate will be delivered to the learner after validation of the various assessments.
Training program

  • Definition and macroscopic scale
  • Microscopic scale
  • Molecular scale

  • Definition and impact of heat on the material
  • Effects of temperature on a thermoplastic polymer 
  • Mechanical properties as a function of temperature 
  • Definition and characteristics of an amorphous polymer
  • Definition and characteristics of a semi-crystalline polymer 
  • Thermal history of the material
  • Crystallization

  • Relationship between polymer structure and physical properties
  • Modifying the properties of a polymer by copolymerisation

  • Analysing the main thermoplastic polymers

  • Definition of rheology
  • The polymer melt - Principle of creep and diffusion
  • Polymer flow (viscosity)
  • Methods of characterising the viscosity of polymers
  • The rheology of composites

  • Amorphous VS semi-crystalline
  • The states of matter and its stages of transformation
  • Processing of composite materials

Introduction to thetechnology
  • Definition and overview of the production line
Pre-stamping
  • Preparation of blanks
  • Technical transition
Stamping
  • The infrared oven
  • Heat conduction Temperature
  • control
  • The press, its parameters
  • and tooling
  • Fibre slippage
  • Demoulding
Validation of the part and the process
  • Visual inspection
  • Process optimisation
Finishing
  • Trimming
Quality control
  • Non-destructive testing (NDT)
  • Acceptance criteria of the produced part
Experimentation / practice
  • Setting up a situation before
  • simulation - Handling the simulator
  • Synthesis of the simulation
  • Exercise: Stamping - SeriousGame

Introduction to technologies :
  • Definition and overview of welding of thermoplastic composites.

The 10 technolgies developed:
  • Conventional induction
  • Conventional induction suscepteur in situ
  • KVE Induct
  • ISW
  • Conduction Welding
  • Infrared
  • Laser
  • Resistive
  • Ultrasound  dynamic
  • Ultrasound by points 


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7 hours of theory (+6 hours of optional practice)
Composites Expert Software provided
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Prerequisites for this training :

Initiation : For people with no knowledge in business composites or process operators wishing to increase their knowledge of manufacturing methods.

Intermediate : For employees working in the processing of methods/production composites with at least one year's professional seniority.

Confirmed : For experienced collaborators (project managers, design offices and methods...) wishing to improve and understand in a practical and theoretical way the mechanisms of the implementation processes.