Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Codes of practice/standards
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Common engineering non metallic materials and required properties include:
Structure of Materials
Descriptions of general non-crystalline features and shoer range order. Use as examples:
linear polymers: e.g., polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene
elastomer: e.g., natural rubber (polyisoprene), (acrylonitrile butadiene)
three dimensional networks
thermosetting polymers: e.g. Phenol formaldehyde, epoxides
inorganic glasses: e.g., oxide glasses, silica, borosilicate
gels: e.g., asphalt and Portland cement
Polymers and plastics:
description of the basic structural unit 'mer', monomer, polymer.
addition and condensation polymerisation, briefly, with examples.
distinguish between thermoplastics and thermosets with six examples of each.
discuss crystallinity in polymers with examples of crystalline polymers eg, HDPE, nylon, PP, PTFE and amorphous polymers e.g: PVC, polystyrene, PMMA.
relate to crystallinity to mechanical properties like rigidity and thermal transitions.
additives, to include filters, reinforcements, plasticizers, UV stabilisers, anti-oxidants, lubricants, colourings and flame retardants.
Plastics and polymers processing and use:
Emphasise the use of additives to vary polymer properties a tailor polymer to appropriate uses. Processing descriptions to include compounding, injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, and compression moulding.
Describe the use of the major polymers in the above areas highlighting properties of importance in selected applicants by example, eg, polymers used as binders in foundry sands, dielectrical properties for electrical, low cost for agriculture, low permeability of water, oxygen for food packaging and freezer packaging.
Ceramic materials:
Describe ceramic structures of AX type with various co-ordination numbers (relate to ionic radii) use simple examples only ed, CsCl, NaCl, ZnS, Ax2, and A 2X3 types briefly with examples; two metal compounds briefly eg, BaTiO3.
Detailed structure of SiO4, tetrahedra as the basic structural unit and relate the importance to bricks, cement, glass, crockery, technical insulators.
Describe silica SiO2 and quartz. Mention refractory nature but problem of cracking under temperature chance due to structural changes. Vitreous or fused silica and properties compared to silica and especially uses with temperature change.
Introduce binary (eg, MgO-AlxO3) and ternary diagrams (eg, MgO-AlxO3-SiO2)
Manufacture of ceramic articles:
raw materials: clays, flints, feldspars,
effect of water, shaping by pressure fabrication, hydroplastic forming and slip casting.
drying and shrinkage, refer to brick and earthenware product manufacture.
describe sintering (fixing) and associated shrinkage.
engineering ceramics: eg, silicon nitride, silicon carbide.
Glass:
describe the vitreous or glassy state and the basic structural unit sio4 tetrahedra.
describes glass formers, glass modifiers and intermediates and their role in glass structure. examples of each.
properties of glass: viscosity, mechanical, optical.
special glass treatments: tempered glass, compare properties with normal annealed glass, effect of compression stresses in surface material.
explain devitrification of glass and accompanying changes in properties. glass ceramics: applications.
Fibres:
fibres and whiskers, metallic and non-metallic
carbon fibres, glass, Al2O3, SiC fibres
specific modulus and relation to strength to weight ration
discuss economic viability of fibres
Composite materials:
define and give examples, including concrete, wood fibre composites, glass reinforced plastics, foams, reinforced rubbers (tyres).
describe the structure of fibre composite and function of fibre composites in actual applications: eg, aerospace, sporting goods.
briefly cover concrete, portland cement and raw materials.
define hydraulic cement mention the importance of portland cement, compositions and use.
factors affecting concrete strength: eg, mixing, measuring, water/cement ration, aggregate/cement ration, aggregate strength and proportions and curing conditions.
Adhesives:
briefly describe adhesion and adhesives.
describe surface properties of liquids and solids especially wetting and non-wetting conditions, include surface tension briefly and relate to choice of adhesive and substrate.
Appropriate tests
Tests which can be undertaken by a technician within the organisation as well as those required to be undertaken by external organisations, including simple tests
Required properties
Properties to be tested include:
tensile strength
compression
shear characteristics
torsion
hardness
impact resistance
fatigue resistance
creep resistance
visual appearance and colour
magnetic properties
corrosion resistance
Appropriate persons
Internal technicians and/or external organisations

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to select non metallic materials for engineering applications. Critical aspects for assessment and evidence are required to demonstrate competency in this unit.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
describe common non metallic materials and their properties
match common non -metallic materials to engineering applications
identify and arrange tests for common non metallic materials.
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.
Relationship to other units
This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.
Assessment method and context
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the elements, performance criteria, skills and knowledge. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors should gather sufficient, fair, valid, reliable, authentic and current evidence from a range of sources. Sources of evidence may include direct observation, reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues, project work, samples, organisation records and questioning. Assessment should not require language, literacy or numeracy skills beyond those required for the unit.
The assessee will have access to all techniques, procedures, information, resources and aids which would normally be available in the workplace.
The method of assessment should be discussed and agreed with the assessee prior to the commencement of assessment.
Resource implications
This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.