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Introduction to Plastics Technology ONLINE

9th November - 7th December 2026
Online
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Key course information

  • Course learning format: RECORDED ONLINE COURSE
  • More course dates: See below or click 'Register'
  • Pricing and early bird rates: click 'Register' to preview
  • Course duration: 5 hours of recorded modules available
  • Course access: 28 days to access course materials, learn when it suits you
  • Learning support: Optional live Q&A after course completion
  • Electronic course notes
  • Gain CPD Credits: Smithers training is IOM3 Quality Assured and counts towards professional development.

To book, click Register and choose a session

Looking for an alternative format?

Scheduled in person course We can deliver in-company See all courses

Upcoming online course dates

Select a session when registering
9 Nov – 7 Dec 26
 

Course overview

This course provides a clear introduction to plastic materials and their properties. You’ll explore how material selection, compounding and processing influence end-product performance, helping you to design and manufacture components that perform reliably.

Through practical examples and expert guidance, you’ll build the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about materials and design. 

Learning outcomes

  • Understand how different polymer types behave and where to use them effectively. 
  • Recognise how processing affects mechanical and environmental performance.
  • Interpret key test data and material specifications to inform design decisions. 
  • Apply design and material principles to minimise risk of product failure. 

Course content

Plastics Materials
  • Classification (thermosets, thermoplastics, semi-crystalline, amorphous)
  • Major modifications (fibre reinforced, impact modified, etc.)
  • Properties and characteristics
  • Advantages and disadvantages of common plastics.
Common Manufacturing Problems
  • Extrusion
  • Injection moulding
  • Blow moulding
  • Thermo-forming
  • Roto-moulding

Materials Selection

  • Navigating though the many plastics types and thousands of grades available
  • How to understand and use data sheets
  • Advice on drawing up the specification including the hidden requirements, often overlooked, which can result in failure. 
Design for Performance
  • Structural performance of plastics (creep, stress relaxation, fatigue, effect of temperature, ageing, chemical attack)
  • Allowable design stresses and strains.
  • Differences between short and long term mechanical properties and their impact on application.
  • Introduction of methodologies to use long term materials data to:
    • Improve confidence in the performance of a design
    • Minimise the risk of product failure in the long term
Failure Diagnosis
  • Common causes of failure:
    • Brittle fracture (stress cracking, embrittlement, effect of notches, UV degradation, hydrolysis)
    • Impact
    • Fatigue

Who should attend

This course is ideal for anyone new to the plastics industry or moving into a role that requires a stronger understanding of plastic materials, design and product development.

It will also benefit professionals involved in the plastics supply chain who want to work more efficiently, manage change, and contribute confidently to technical projects.

Typical attendees include:

  • Product designers and development engineers
  • Technical services and quality assurance staff
  • Procurement and supply chain specialists
  • Anyone involved in specifying or developing plastic components

No prior knowledge of plastics materials or processes is required.

Meet your expert tutor

Dr Andrew Hulme, Principal Consultant, Smithers

Dr Andrew Hulme – Principal Consultant, Plastics

An expert plastic consultant for over 25 years – Andrew specialises in durability and lifetime predictions for plastic components in their operating environments (including material selection, failure prevention, and design for manufacture) – providing clients with improved confidence in design and material selection.

What our delegates say about the course material

“Extremely informative, a lot of great knowledge in two days. I would recommend this course to all plastic component design engineers.”
Thomas Morrice (NCR)

“Very well prepared and communicated.”
Stephen Joyce (Freudenberg Sealing Technologies)

Contact us or download a brochure

Reach out to the training team now - ask about this course or discuss your training goals.  
Sam Rogers

Sam Rogers

Training Product Manager - Materials Science and Engineering

Contact Sam

VIEW THE BROCHURE

Plastic and Rubber Training

Prefer training tailored to your business?

Smithers also delivers custom and in-company training designed around your products, materials and processes. Get practical, targeted content delivered online or on-site by the same experts who run our public courses.

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