B2390 - Manufacturing Technologies for Composite Materials

Learning outcomes

The student will be introduced to different technologies for the fabrication of components made of polymeric and composite materials with thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix and will be able to select the most appropriate technology based on the required performance, the production footprint, and the number of components to be produced. The student will be able to understand and define manufacturing cycles to meet specific requirements on the final component, including those related to sustainability requirements.

Course contents

METALS AND POLYMERS

-Metals and their proprieties

-Thermoplastic polymers

-Thermosetting polymersi

TECHNOLOGIES OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS

Polymers, Press molding, injection molding, blow molding, stretch blow molding, thermoforming.

TECHNOLOGIES OF THERMOSETTING POLYMERS AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Properties of resins and fibers; classification of fabrics, properties of pre-pregs

Hand layup, Liquid Composite Molding (LCM), Resin transfer molding (RTM) and variants (VARTM, VARI, RIFT, etc), Autoclave and pre-pregs

Press Moulding: Compression moulding, Prepreg Compression Moulding, Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC)

Filament winding.

Readings/Bibliography

Crivelli Visconti I., Caprino G., Langella A., Materiali compositi, Casa editrice: Hoepli, ISBN: 8820341581

Lee Harper, Mike Clifford Design and Manufacture of Structural Composites, Elsevier, eBook ISBN: 9780128191613

F.C. Campbell, Structural Composite Materials, ASM International

Teaching methods

Lectures based on powerpoint slides with in-depth analysis at the blackboard; exercises and analysis of industrial cases. Visits to Manufacturing Plants. Team working project on a selected technology.

Assessment methods

Final test is realized in a written form, it consists in open questions on all the course topics. During the test, the use of any supporting material (such as textbooks, notes, computer supports, etc) is not allowed. Test is compsed by 4 questions to be discussed in open form, a score 0-4 is given to each answer thus realizing a final score on 32 basis. An optional oral session (based on student's request) can also be added, oral session can deal on all course topics and team-working study in order to clarify student's preparation and own contribute to the team working study.

At least, 5 evaluation session will be realized through the accademic year.

Tests list and results are managed through Almaesami website: https://almaesami.unibo.it/
It's mandatory to sign in on the website in order to attend the exam, the lists are closed 2 days before the exam.

Teaching tools

Updated slides can be downloaded from Insegnamenti on Line (IOL).

Login with the @studio.unibo.it account.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Donati