Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify and apply applications of polymer materials.
- Identify and apply impacts of impurities on polymer products.
- Determine expected material properties from polymer type and grade.
- Solve process problems related to polymer flow characteristics.
- Use polymer flow test methods and recognise the importance of flow properties to the process.
- Control critical factors leading to changes of state of the polymer during processing using knowledge of the causes.
- Identify the relationship between polymer flow and other polymer properties.
- Recognise process/product signs of incorrect polymer flow characteristics.
- Recommend corrective actions for problems caused by polymer flow.
- Solve process/product problems related to heating and cooling of product/ material in process.
- Recognise the importance of the degree of cross linking on product properties if appropriate.
- Recognise the importance of the degree of crystallisation/ crystal size on product properties if appropriate.
- Recognise the impact of shrinkage on product properties if appropriate.
- Recognise the impact of annealing on product properties if appropriate.
- Recognise process/product signs of incorrect heating/ cooling.
- Recommend corrective actions for problems caused by heating.
- Solve process problems related to polymer faults
- Recognise an actual or a potential process problem.
- Analyse that problem in a formal manner.
- Determine appropriate corrective action.
- Implement that corrective action if it is within the range of workplace authority.
- Make recommendations for corrective action outside range of workplace authority.
- Follow through on corrective action and make sure problem is resolved.