Thermoplastic Composite Seminar

Start of the event:
09:00 a.m. (CEST)

Considered since the early days of polymer engineering, the idea of reinforcing polymers with fillers has led to the emergence of a wide variety of fiber-reinforced materials. By far the most significant category, in terms of industrial relevance and production volumes, are plastics reinforced with “short” fibers in the microscopic range. Yet, recently, a new category has emerged that extends the span of reinforcing fibers into the macroscopic scale: so-called thermoplastic composites.

Seminar scope
Given the complementary background and wide experience of the two speakers, we have developed a very balanced course that addresses both the scientific aspects (micromechanics, failure mechanisms, physics of joining/welding/overmolding) as well as the technological and market aspects (material processing, equipment, applications, current market situation and foreseeable trends).
The seminar will build on the principles of classical fiber reinforcement theory - highlighting the key roles of fiber type, length and interfacial interaction - to introduce thermoplastic composites as a new class of materials with remarkable performance. It will address the various semi-finished product forms available on the market, will emphasize the influence of reinforcement architecture on the material properties, and will introduce the design, processing and recycling possibilities brought along by this class of materials. A strong focus will be put on the hybridization possibilities between thermoplastic composites and more conventional reinforced plastics, such as the overmolding of composite inserts with short fiber compounds, thus offering insights into options for a cost-effective use of these materials. Fundamental principles of thermoplastic polymer re-entanglement at interfaces (joining, hot plate or similar welding, overmolding) will be examined thoroughly from the rheological and mechanical healing perspective. The introduced principles will be supported by application examples and use cases across industries.

Target audience
This course is intended for a wide audience of technicians, engineers, scientists and managers eager to discover the thriving field of Thermoplastic Composites within the broader context of fiber-reinforced plastics. Participants will discover the specific technical attributes of this relatively new class of materials and their associated processes and application areas. The mix of in-depth scientific content and very broad coverage of applications and markets creates a unique, hybrid, training experience where every participant should find useful and relevant material and have the opportunity to develop additional expertise.

Primary seminar language is English but questions can be asked and answered in German as well.

The moderators:
Dr. Vito LEO – experienced in the plastics industry for nearly 40 years now – goes deeply into the physics of the various thermoplastics processing behavior. He thoroughly explains the mechanisms involved in this complex process from filling to final warpage, by using simple words and concepts, and a minimum of mathematics to guarantee a better understanding of the complex interacting phenomena during molding.

Hans Miltner holds a degree in chemical engineering and obtained a doctorate in the field of polymer science from the Free University of Brussels. He started his career in academia, conducting applied research in the area of polymer nanocomposites. He then moved to industry where he led developments in functional coatings, specialty polymer compounds and thermoplastic composites. After taking on more commercial and business management roles, overseeing a number of global market segments such as automotive and oil & gas, he founded an independent technology consultancy and business development firm. Today he supports material suppliers, technology providers and end-users across the global plastics and composites industry, facilitating the market introduction and accelerating the adoption of plastics innovations. He brings along more than 20 years of combined academic and industrial technical experience in the plastics sector.


Join us and find out what more about composite materials and their application.

Registration deadline:
June 09, 2023

Participation fee:
790,00 Euros (+VAT)