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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Identify thermoplastics and related materials and relate their properties to their application 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14686  Identify thermoplastics and related materials and relate their properties to their application 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The fabrication of plastics products generally requires the joining of plastics components into assemblies. The assemblies are often subjected to considerable stress when in operation and the manufacturing process needs to be consistent and accurate. This unit standard reflects the skills and knowledge needed to perform the activities related to the joining process and demonstrate an understanding of the factors involved.

To qualify, I have to demonstrate that I am able to identify the types, properties and common applications of thermoplastic and related materials and have an understanding of common joining and testing procedures.

The learning outcomes in this unit standard contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the National Certificate in Thermoplastic Fabrication (NQF Level 2) and related qualifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This unit standard has been designed as part of a progression and reflects the first level of thermoplastic welding skill. It is one of a series of unit standards for activities at and above this level. The credits assigned to it are based on the assumption that I am learning what is needed for this unit standard as part of my learning for a range of related unit standards. If I have experience in these related activities but do not have credits for them, I can obtain credits by being assessed through a process that recognises prior learning. If I do not have such experience of related activities, then my learning time will be increased. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
The scope and level of this unit standard is determined by the ranges as indicated under the specific outcomes. The learner is required to identify, distinguish, list, describe and explain the basic concepts and distinguishing features as outlined under the specific outcomes. The learner is not required to go into great detail.
  • All work is performed under supervision. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify materials used in common fabrication applications. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Materials used in fabrication include thermoplastics, thermosets and common metals and non-metallic composites. These may be in the form of stock shapes, valves and fittings.
    Distinctions between metallic and non-metallic must be explained in terms of physical properties, physical behaviour toward temperature and corrosive media, strength, density, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. Only a basic understanding of the above concepts is required 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results achieved
    1. Thermoplastics and other materials in the fabrication environment are identified and differentiated and their use is explained

    Indicators
    1. Descriptions and explanations are clear and accurate and demonstrate my understanding of concepts and content

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Understanding is demonstrated by responses to questions which relate basic concepts to examples in the workplace 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Discuss the physical properties of thermoplastic materials used in common fabrication application. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Physical properties include density, temperature limitations, behaviour at different temperatures, pressure relevance, colour coding and wear resistance 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results achieved
    1. Thermoplastics and other materials in the fabrication environment are identified and differentiated and their use is explained

    Indicators
    1. Descriptions and explanations are clear and accurate and demonstrate my understanding of concepts and content

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Understanding is demonstrated by responses to questions which relate basic concepts to examples in the workplace 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain common applications and methods of joining and fabrication using thermoplastic materials. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
  • Relate common applications to characteristics of thermoplastic materials
  • Relate methods of joining and fabrication to thermoplastic materials 
  • OUTCOME RANGE 
    Applications would relate to the machinability, weldability and temperature corrosion resistance
    Methods of fabricating and joining materials include machining, heated tool, hot gas, electro fusion, extrusion, solvent cement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results achieved
    1. Thermoplastics and other materials in the fabrication environment are identified and differentiated and their use is explained

    Indicators
    1. Descriptions and explanations are clear and accurate and demonstrate my understanding of concepts and content

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Understanding is demonstrated by responses to questions which relate basic concepts to examples in the workplace 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the common tests used in fabrication. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
  • Identify the common tests and the processes and equipment used
  • Express the result in SI units 
  • OUTCOME RANGE 
    Common tests must include tensile, spark and bend tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results achieved
    1. Thermoplastics and other materials in the fabrication environment are identified and differentiated and their use is explained

    Indicators
    1. Descriptions and explanations are clear and accurate and demonstrate my understanding of concepts and content

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Understanding is demonstrated by responses to questions which relate basic concepts to examples in the workplace 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the effects external factors have on thermoplastic materials. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Environmental effects include oxidation, photo-degradation, solvents and stress-cracking agents, temperature differentials 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results achieved
    1. Thermoplastics and other materials in the fabrication environment are identified and differentiated and their use is explained

    Indicators
    1. Descriptions and explanations are clear and accurate and demonstrate my understanding of concepts and content

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Understanding is demonstrated by responses to questions which relate basic concepts to examples in the workplace 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • My assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the MERSETA Education and Training Quality > Assuror who has jurisdiction over this field of learning. My assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a technical qualification in this learning area.
  • I can be assessed in the language of my choice although if I have to report incidents or conditions to someone else, > I will be assessed on my ability to report in the language commonly used in my working environment.
  • I will be assessed in the workplace but I can submit documents, projects, test results and assignments that were not produced in the workplace.
  • I can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Names & functions of:
  • Thermoplastic, metallic and non-metallic composite materials
  • Common tests

    2. Attributes, descriptions, characteristics & properties:
  • Fabrication, metals and non-metallic composites materials
  • Applications
  • Changes in thermoplastics and other materials caused by heating

    3. Purpose of:
  • Testing
  • Joining thermoplastic material

    4. Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Basic polymer chemistry as it applies to thermoplastics, their characteristics and applications and common tests and joining techniques

    5. Relationships, systems:
  • The importance of thermoplastic materials in the field of fabrication
  • Lack of respect for material properties resulting in poor application and failure 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information
  • Collect and classify information related to individual materials and associate this with actual examples 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Convey conceptual information in written or oral form 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • Understand and relate the underlying scientific concepts to the technology and application 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • Explain the importance of understanding thermoplastic materials, their characteristics and applications and common tests when working in the fabrication field. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  24215   National Certificate: Thermoplastic Fabrication  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.