FACULTY OF ENGINEERING ,TECHNOLOGY ,APPPLIED DESIGN

AND
FINE ART, FETADFA

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PLASTICS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY PRACTICAL REPORT

CARRIED OUT AT THE FETADFA WORKSHOP

COMPILED BY

1 Lejoruku David Desire 2020/A/KME/1797/G/F

2. Namuri Gift Evelyn 2020/A/KME/2216/F
3. Wamani Samuel 2020/A/KME/0729/F
4. Talemwa Prosper 2020/A/KME/0063/G/F
5. Behangana Abert 2020/A/KME/0711/F
6. Bamweyana Alphat 2020/A/KME/0067/G/F

PLASTICS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY PRACTICAL REPORT SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL
 FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A DEGREE IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Practical Assignment

Title: Recycling plastic waste to mold a plastic bowl

Tools and equipment

 Furnace
 Knife
 Razorblade
 Hacksaw
 Heat proof gloves
 Mold (two bowls to press the molten plastic in between)
Consumable
 Charcoal
 Cooking spray oil
 Plastic waste

Plastic Material used: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Objectives
i. To understand the behavior of plastic material subjected to thermal stress.
ii. To understand plastic molding process.
iii. To understand recyclability of plastic wastes.

Introduction:
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are
moldable. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain
other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but
many are partially natural.
Organic materials are derivatives of carbon, chemically combined with hydrogen, oxygen or any
other non-metallic substance, and their structures.
Theory: HDPE
HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. As one of the most versatile plastic
materials around is used in a wide variety of applications, including plastic bottles, milk jugs,
shampoo bottles, bleach bottles, cutting boards and piping. When heated to its transition
temperature, HDPE plastic does not give off any toxic fumes and so it is a harmless material
when subjected to thermal loads.
From this perspective, HDPE plastic wastes has a possibility of being molded into plastic bowls.

Precautions considered during the molding process

 Heat proof gloves were used when subjecting the plastic material to the heat furnace to
protect hands from heat.
 The heat furnace was lit in an open place to ensure sufficient oxygen supply.
 Lubrication oil was spread on the mold bowls to ease removal of the molded plastic bowl
after molding.
 Uniform thermal load was applied to the plastic material to be molded to ensure uniform
deformation during the molding process.

Methodology
 A heat furnace was filled with charcoal then lit using a match box and petrol.
 A blower was used to increase rate of combustion.
 The dimensions of the required plastic bowl were measured from the metallic moulds.
 HDPE plastic piece was then cut using a knife, razorblade corresponding to the required
dimensions of the bowl.
 The plastic piece was then subjected to heat furnace and the all the parts were heated
uniformly until when it attained the rubbery state (high ductility).
 The insides of the mold were greased using small amount of lubrication oil.
 The heated layer of HDPE plastic piece was draped over the top of the inverted bowl
pressing the plastic across the top of an upside-down bowl helped to ensure that the HDPE
was covering the all surface.
 The secondary bowl was placed on top of the first and pressed into the mould/ former.
 Once the plastic was inside the mould, heavy items /weights were placed on top of the
bowls to keep them together and forced the molten HDPE into place.
 While the plastic was still hot, excess HDPE was removed from the edges of the mould
using the knife.
 Small plastic bowl took 20 to 30 minutes to cool.
 It was then removed from the mould and any excess plastic trimmed from the lip of the
bowl using a hand saw.
 The rough edges were sanded down using a range of sand paper of different grit sizes.
 The HDPE bowl was then complete.
Challenges
 There were no complicated challenges faced and the small challenges faced were rectified.
Recommendations
 More time should be given to the project to give ample time for research.
 The university should set up plastic technology laboratories for exposure of different
plastic types to students.
Conclusions
 It was an interesting and resourceful project full of new things and those that were taught
in class.
 It exposed us to more skills and we were able to transform part that was learnt in class into
practical part.
 We take this opportunity to appreciate our lecturer madam Stella Kizanye for giving us a
chance and the time to ensure the success of this project.

APPENDICES
REFERENCES

[1] C. A. Haper, handbook of plastics technologies, US: McGraw hill handbooks, 2006.
[2] M. Chanda, plastics technology handbook, CRC Press, 2017.