Application
This unit of competency applies to technicians who are able to bring together an understanding of the basics of chemistry and physics and apply this understanding to determine the properties of process materials and products. This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the industry. This competency is typically performed by technicians developing new products or applying this knowledge to advanced process/product problem solving. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Determine possible product properties | 1.1. Estimate product properties from different materials and processing conditions 1.2. Predict the impact of different grades of materials/additives on product properties 1.3. Predict the impact of different processing conditions on product properties |
2. Choose materials/ material mix for an application | 2.1. Select appropriate base materials for an application based on the material properties 2.2. Determine reinforcements/additives required to meet product specification 2.3. Predict failure mechanism for selected mix and modify selection if appropriate 2.4. Identify any health, safety or environmental issues with materials and modify selection if appropriate 2.5. Develop formulation and select appropriate production method |
3. Organise testing of product and interpret test results | 3.1. Select appropriate tests for product based on test purpose and limitations, and material being tested 3.2. Test colour using colour coordinates as required 3.3. Interpret test results and modify formulation/production method as required to meet product specification |
Required Skills
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Required skills |
Required skills include: implementing enterprise standard procedures and policies, relevant regulatory requirements and national/international standards within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job adjusting/correcting/responding to work requirements identifying and solving problems working in a team or individually, as required reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information |
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes: basic chemistry and physics as relevant to the products and process process and material characteristics sufficient to enable the selection of materials with appropriate base properties including: property changes caused by different processing methods and conditions typical processing conditions for typical products property changes caused by using additives mechanism of reinforcement where appropriate test methods properties and applications of materials |
Evidence Required
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that: knowledge of material properties to the selection of appropriate materials to an application is applied. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Competence in this unit may be assessed: by observation of an actual design project where the assessee takes a lead technical role in the material selection by use of a suitable project where arrangements are made to include the testing aspects. Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation. Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions. |
Method of assessment | Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes. |
Guidance information for assessment | Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Procedures | All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions |
Standard procedures | Standard procedures refer to: all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards |
Properties | Properties include: particle size, size distribution, particle shape and porosity flow properties, melt viscosity rigidity, tensile yield strength, modulus and impact strength brittle and ductile failure dimensional and thermal stability |
Reinforcements | Reinforcements include: silicas and clays glass fibres steel |
Test methods | Test methods include: environmental tests - ultra-violet (UV), environmental stress, cracking, weatherometer and chemical resistance mechanical tests - tensile, creep, coefficient of friction, wear resistance/abrasion and density chemical/analytical tests colour tests - colour coordinates (LAB), colour difference ((E) |
Sectors
Unit sector | Operational/technical |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.