New I-CAR course covers plastic, composite repair

I-CAR will introduce its Plastic and Composite Repair (PLA03) course to the inter-industry on April 11.

Registration is open and classes are being added to I-CAR’s class schedule. This course will replace Plastic Welding Repair (PLA01) and Plastic Adhesive Repair (PLA02) and will satisfy I-CAR ProLevel 1 requirements within the I-CAR Professional Development Program for the Estimator, Non- Structural Technician, and Auto Physical Damage Appraiser roles.

I-CAR’s Plastic and Composite Repair (PLA03) course contains content from former Plastic Welding Repair (PLA01) and Plastic Adhesive Repair (PLA02), but will also introduce new technology and updated manufacturer recommendations. This course will offer students information on different types of plastics; plastics characteristics and repair considerations; adhesives repair considerations; fiber reinforced plastics repair methods; and information on plastic welds.

Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations said, “In today’s evolving collision repair market, technicians are performing repairs on vehicles made from a variety of plastics and composites. For a technician to accomplish a safe repair, it’s required that they have an understanding of the materials which they’re working with. This course provides up-to- date information on the differing characteristics and considerations around plastics and composites and covers a range of advanced materials and repair procedures common on many of today’s vehicles.”

I-CAR’s Plastic and Composite Repair (PLA03) course will help students:

Identify different types of plastics by their characteristics and determine the level of plastic identification that is required to perform a repair
Understand correct preparation procedures for plastics
Identify different types of plastics used on today’s vehicles and the correct methods to repair each
Recognize proper adhesives for different repairs and when to use adhesion promoter
Perform one- and two-sided plastic adhesive repairs and bumper mounting tab repairs
Understand the considerations around refinishing plastic parts
Identify the types of plastic welds in automotive applications
Identify welding equipment and its uses
Explain how hot air welds and airless welds are made
Identify differences between a fusion weld and an adhesion weld