Plastics processing technology and recycling Lecture and exercise

Preparation refers to all work steps that take place between the synthesis of the plastic and its shaping in the processing machine. During preparation, the desired property profile of the plastic is specifically adjusted by adding and incorporating fillers and additives.

Contents of the lecture

The lecture covers all relevant process steps during processing, such as dosing, plasticizing, mixing, degassing, discharging and pelletizing, as well as the respective challenges in industrial practice. Furthermore, important machine concepts for thermoplastic processing are presented in detail. Another focus of the lecture is on reactive extrusion. In reactive extrusion, the processing machine is used as a chemical reactor in which the monomers are continuously dosed and a rapid, low-solvent polymer synthesis is carried out. The lecture provides a comprehensive insight and overview of the central process step in the plastics processing chain.

Focus on recycling

The lecture, which was redesigned for the 2018 summer semester, also focuses on all issues relating to plastics recycling, which are becoming increasingly important in the context of the need to strengthen the circular economy. The waste streams that arise today, particularly from plastic packaging, and the technologies that can be used to recycle them are presented in detail. Furthermore, alternative recycling processes currently being researched are presented. The boundaries between classic plastics processing and plastics recycling are currently becoming increasingly blurred, as recyclates should ideally also achieve the properties of virgin material.