Institute of Polymer Processing
Institute of Polymer Processing

Overview

The Institute of Polymer Processing is researching all kinds of processes for processing thermoplastic polymers. The fundamental and application-oriented research is done in the fields of materials and the production processes. It is driven by the goal to gain a deeper scientific understanding and the systematic control of the processes for an economic production of ideal products with minimum resources. The funding comes from the government, different funding agencies or directly from the industry.

The services we provide, starts with the formulation of innovative tailor-made compounds, from producing small samples up to semi industrial scales. The properties of these compounds and polymers are characterised inline or offline so that all relevant material properties are available for further processes or fluid dynamic simulations and for understanding these processes. The results of these simulation can be validated in our laboratory with industrial equipment.

Questions arising during the development… The equipment at the Institute of Polymer Processing can be divided into laboratory scale and industrial equipment. For the characterisation of the polymers there are thermodynamically measurements as specific heat capacity, and density measurements available. The viscosity can be measured with rotational and piston driven rheometers, but also inline measurements for extruders, compounders and injection moulding machines are possible.

The compounds and the recycling can be done using kneaders for small scales and co rotating twin screw extruders for larger quantities. In extrusion we can provide a pipe and a film extrusion line, while other extruders are available for foaming (physical or chemical), for fluoropolymers and for filaments. Injection moulding machines are available in different sizes and one is especially equipped for Powder Injection Moulding. In Additive Manufacturing there are different material extrusion machines as well as an Arburg freeformer available.
. Our research focus is on the development and selection of suitable polymeric materials for new applications, the design and construction of plastic components and composites, the development, optimization and application of suitable processing technologies.

Material data for simulation, thermoplastics, rubbers and elastomers, WPC and PIM-Feedstocks
Process and simulation, component design, process development and robust process management
Testing and analysis, polymer selection, development, testing and identification
Sustainability, process analysis, Life Cycle Assessment
Custom tailor-made courses in education and training

 
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