Chem 181
Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory
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Name Date
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Group Number Section Instructor’s name
Experiment No. 7
PLASTICS AND POLYMERS
Objectives: 1. To determine some properties of different types of polymers (plastics)
2. To identify the types of polymer on the basis of the properties.
Apparatus: 10 ml graduated cylinder Bunsen burner
6 20 ml test tubes crucible tong,
digital balance
Materials: Samples of the following thermoplastics copper wire
HDPE (high density polyethylene) isopropyl alcohol
LDPE (low density polyethylene) cooking oil
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) acetone
PP (polypropylene)
PS (polystyrene) in solid form
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
other (multilayer plastic)
1
Theory:
Types of Polymers
Code TYPE NAME FORMULA/ CHEMICAL STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
PETE or Polyethylene Usually clear or Soda bottles, peanut butter jars,
PET terephthalate green, rigid vegetable oil bottles
High-density poly- Milk and water jugs, juice and
HDPE Semi-rigid
ethylene bleach bottles
Detergent and cleanser bottles,
PVC Polyvinyl chloride Semi-rigid
pipes
Low-density poly- Six-pack rings, bread bags, sand-
LDPE Flexible, not crinkly
ethylene wich bags
Margarine tubs, straws, screw-on
PP Polypropylene Semi-rigid
lids
Styrofoam, packing peanuts, egg
PS Polystyrene Often brittle
cartons, foam cups
OTHER Multilayer plastics NONE squeezable Ketchup and syrup bottles
2
Theory:
Polymers include the familiar plastic and rubber materials. Many of them are organic
compounds that are chemically based on carbon, hydrogen, and other nonmetallic
elements (like O, N, and Si). Furthermore, they have very large molecular structures,
often chain-like in nature that have a backbone of carbon atoms. Some of the common
and familiar polymers are polyethylene (PE), nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), and silicone rubber. These materials typically
have low densities whereas their mechanical characteristics are generally dissimilar to
the metallic and ceramic materials—they are not as stiff nor as strong as these other
material types.
Procedure:
Visual Description :
Examine the plastic sample labeled (A-G) and write a visual description on the table
provided using the following guide questions:
a. Is the sample clear? Is the sample opaque? Does it have color?
b. Is the sample smooth or rough? Does it have a pattern?
c. Flex each sample through an angle of 10o to 30o. Note in the data table how easy it
was to flex the sample. Is it flexible or rigid?
Test all the plastic samples and tabulate all the results. Use the flow chart as a guide in
identifying the type of plastic.
Water Test
sinks floats
green sinks
3 Copper Wire Test Alcohol Test 2
flame
orange flame floats
reaction floats
6 Acetone Test Oil Test 5
no reaction sinks
Heat Test
4
reaction
1
Density Test
1. Cut small pieces of each plastic and place them in water. Make sure they do not float
due to surface tension. Try to make them sink. Be sure to dislodge any adhering air
bubbles. Record if they float or sink and compare in the flow chart.
2. Cut several long narrow strips of each plastic. Weigh it dry.
3. Fill the graduated cylinder with half to ¾ full of water. Note the volume.
4. Submerge completely the plastic sample and note the new volume.
5. Calculate the density of each plastic sample. Show complete solution
Alcohol test
Measure 5 mL of isopropyl alcohol in a test tube and drop a sample of plastic. Observe
and record which plastic samples floats and which plastic sample sinks.
Flame Test
1. Heat up a copper wire and melt one end portion of the plastic.
2. Using the copper wire, place the plastic in a flame. Observe and record the color of
the flame produce. Use the flow chart to identify the plastic.
Acetone Test
1. Place a piece of the plastic in a small test tube of acetone.
2. Observe and record if it dissolves or not and use the flow chart to help identify the
plastic.
Heat Test
1. Using a tong, hold a piece of the plastic high over a flame or a hot plate and observe
how readily it melts. (Do not put the plastic directly in the flame and do not allow
melted plastic to drop onto the burner.)
2. Compare the samples to see which one readily melts.
Tabulated result:
Plastic sample Visual Description Surface Appearance Rigidity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4
Tabulated result: (show complete solution in density)
Plastic Sample Density Alcohol test Flame test Acetone test Heat test
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Standard density table
SUBSTANCE DENSITY ( g/ml)
water 1.00
isopropyl alcohol 0.786
acetone 0.784
(1) PET 1.38 -1.39
(2) HDPE 0.95 - 0.97
(3) PVC 1.16 - 1.35
(4) LDPE 0.92 - 0. 94
(5) PP 0.90 - 0.91
(6) PS 1.05 - 1.07
(7)
Computations: Show your complete solutions in solving the density of the plastic
sample.
Attached here sample of your plastics (from plastic 1 to 7) arrange it properly according
5
to its numbering.
Cut the plastic according to their type (showing the type of the plastic) and with code.
Table of output in proper arrangement (handwritten)
Code Name Type Description Cut sample of
plastic with
code
Attached picture of yourself with your collected/sample of plastics.
6
Questions:
7
(Answer on a short-sized bond paper. Use blue inked ball pen.)
1. If you were given two plastic samples, how would you distinguish one from the other?
2. Identify the type of polymer or plastic that would be the best material in making the
following:
a. a sandwich
b. replacement for a picture window
c. covering for a plastic bowl
d. replacement for the lead sinkers used in fishing
e. clip board
3. Which type of plastic/polymer was most flexible?
4. Which type of plastic/polymer was most transparent?
5. Your boat is sinking about two miles off shore and you are not a good swimmer. You
notice six large solid plastic blocks labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Which should you grab.
Why?
6. You wish too make a plastic handle for a cooking pan out of recycled plastic. Which
type of plastic/polymer should you avoid using?
7. You transfer a fingernail polish remover into a more stylish container. The next day
you open the cabinet door to find a messy blob.
a. What type plastic was the stylish bottle made of?
b. What is the active ingredient in the fingernail polish?
8. Using the result of the experiment, estimate the density of the isopropyl alcohol solu-
tion. Explain your basis for the approximation.
9. Sometimes plastic containers are made from two polymers and not just one.
a. What would happen in the water density test if LDPE and PP were mixed?
b. What would happen in the water density test if PET and HDPE were mixed?
c. Differentiate between HDPE and LDPE.
