(Lab Report 1)

(Group no 2)

College Of Engineering and Emerging Technologies

University of Punjab Lahore

Subject:

Polymer and Composite

Submitted to:

Dr. Mohsin Ali Raza

Submitted by:

M. Umer Javaid (E14-317)

Farhan shahbaz (E14-330)

(Lab no 1)
Objective
Identify the given sample of polymeric Materials
Principle
The principal is to identify the given sample of polymeric material by different type of tests like
water, isopropyl, copper wire, flam, specific gravity test.
Material and Apparatus used
Polymeric materials (Pallets and strip)
Beaker
Isopropyl solution
Copper wire
Acetone solution
Burner
Stand
Procedure
Number of samples of polymeric materials are given. Different number (sign) were allotted to
sample to distinguished between samples and performed different test for identification of
polymeric materials.
(1) Water test procedure
In the beaker water (about 100ml) was taken. All the samples were dropped into the water and
stirred it. Some sample floated and some sample sinker and were separated the floated and sinker
sample.
Observation
Polymeric Materials
Samples

In water Float or sink samples of given

polymeric materials

White strip (dull)

White strip (bright)
Black strip (big)
Black strip (small)
Brown strip
Transparent strip
Yellow strip
Red strip
White cardboard type strip
Small piece of sui gas pipe
Pallets of wire
Some cylindrical or round pallets

Float
Sink
Float
Float
Sink
Sink
Sink
Float
Sink
Sink
Float
Sink

Isopropyl Test
In the beaker 50ml isopropyl alcohol was taken and the sample which was floated in the water
dropped in the isopropyl solution and stirred them some samples floated and some sample sink.
On the basis of sunk and float samples were separated.
Observation
Polymeric Materials
Samples

In isopropyl Float or sink samples of

given polymeric materials

White strip (dull)

Black strip (big)
Black strip (small)
Red strip
Pallets of wire

Sink
Float
Sink
Sink
Sink

Acetone Test:
In the beaker 50ml acetone was taken and the solubility of pallets were checked by added the
pallets in acetone for a minutes. After few minutes took out pallets and checked rather pallets
reacted with acetone or not by pressed the pallets with fingers. Separated the pallets which got
softness by reaction of acetone from the pellets which did not reacted with acetone and did not
have softness.
Observations
Polymeric Materials
Samples

Reaction of acetone on pellets

Dark yellow pellets

Remaining all pellets

React with acetone

Dont react with acetone.
3

Copper wire test

First heated the copper wire and the heated wire was came in contacted with the samples of
polymeric materials. Checked that rather the heated wire would penetrated in or melted the
contacted sample polymeric materials
Flam test
On fire heated the given polymeric materials and checked the following properties like
Soot, dripping, flam color, burning speed and of burning

Table no1

(For strips)

Polymeric
Materials
Samples
(Strips)

Color
of a
Flam

Burning
nature

Dripping
during
burning

Smoke
color

Transparen
t

No

Extinguis
h

No

Black

Black

Blue

Burning

Yes

Red

Blue

Burning

Yes

Brown

Sound
of
burnin
g

Smell
of
burnin
g

Plastic or
polymer
nature

Bla
ck

Yes

no

White

No

No

No

Thermosetting
plastic
Thermosetting
plastic
Thermoplastic

White

No

No

So
ot

No

Extinguis
h

No

White

No

Yes

Yes

Yello
w

Extinguis
h

No

White

Bla
ck

No

Unplea
sant
smell

White pale
or dull
White
(bright)

Yello
w
Yello
w

Burning

Yes

White

No

No

Small pipe

Green

Yellow

Thermosetting
plastic
Thermosetting
plastic

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic
Extinguis
h

No

White

No

No

No

Burning

No

White

No

No

No

Thermoplastic

Table no 2

(For pallet)

Polymeri
c
Material
s
Samples

Color of
a Flam

Burnin
g
nature

Drippin
g
during
burning

Smok
e
color

Blue

Yellow

Yes

White

Green

Yellow

Yes

Dark
yellow

Green

Selfextingui
sher
Selfextingui
sher
Selfburning

Light
yellow

Yellow

Red light

Yellow

Selfextingui
sher
Selfextingui
sher
Selfburning

Red dark Green

Soot

Sound
of
burning

Smell of
burning

Plastic
or
polyme
r
nature

No

No

White

No

No

No

Black

Black

No

Selfextingui
sher
Selfextingui
sher
Selfburning

No

Black

Black

No

Therm
o
plastic
Therm
o
plastic
Therm
o
setting
Black
soot

Yes

White

No

No

No

Black

Black

No

Selfextingui
sher
Selfextingui
sher
Selfburning

Therm
o
plastic
Therm
o
setting

(Discussion)
In our daily life polymer plays an important rule therefore polymer identification is very
important.by this identification we can use right polymer at right place.
According to my extraction the polymer which float on water test but sink on the isopropyl test
are called High-density polyethylene (HDPE). From the above given polymeric sample the
samples( white dull strip, black strip (small), pallet of wire, red strip) float in water test and sink
in alcohol test therefore they are called High-density polyethylene (HDPE). The sample which
give green flame on copper wire test is called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer. From the above
given sample Sui gas pipe and light yellow pellets give green flame on copper wire test so this is
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer. On the other hand which react with acetone and becomes soft
in acetone test are called Polystyrene (PS) polymer. From the above given polymeric sample the
dark yellow pellets become soft on acetone test so therefore its called Polystyrene (PS) polymer.
5

By dripping, color of flam, sound of melting, color and nature of smoke, soot etc. of different
polymeric materials we can also judge the different polymer easily.
Reference Polymers: The Environment and Sustainable Development
Google Book Polymer Analysis - Page 31

IminesAdvances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition: Scholarly Brief page

number 13

(Task 1)

(Flow chart)

Identification of
given polymeric
samples

Some
floated
Floated samples

In Isopropyl

Sink sample

Performed
water test

Some
sink
Flam test
It will be preferred
And according to their
properties consult with
books

Acetone test
to check the
solubility

Some samples
is not
dissolved in
acetone
Some
samples
dissolved
in
acetone

(Task 2)
Given samples of polymeric material
Transparent strip
Black strip
Red strip
Brown strip
Yellow strip
White pale strip
White dark strip
Blue pallet
Green pallet
Light yellow pellets
Dark yellow pellets
Light red pellets
Sui gas pipe

Name of the polymer

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET )
Polyethylenimine
(PEI)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Phenol Aldehyde
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Polyvinyl chloride
(PVC)
Polystyrene
(PS)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Polyvinyl chloride
(PVC)

(Task 3)
For identification and authentication of the polymers many techniques are followed as
FT-IR analysis
Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

The absorbing nature of the each polymer is basically used for this technique because different
polymer absorb different wavelength of infrared rays. Mostly the functional group can easily
identified. It identify major functional group.it is also called ft-ir analysis.

Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Polymeric specimen is heated up to thermal degradation point temperature. The loss of mass and
temperature is plotted on graph in order to obtain the mass loss rate of that material. The base of
this technique is the different rate of mass loss of different material.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Because of the difference in percentage crystallinity, the polymers are identified by heating it up
to glass transition temperature.

Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography

Because of different molecular weight, polymers are identified by determining the molecular
weight of polymers by mass spectrometer attached to chromatography.

(Task 4)
The right identification of the polymeric material is a big job now these days due to the
application of the polymer material rubber, plastic and resin etc. The usage of the polymeric
material according to the composition and properties of the material to be placed in. As polymer
used for wall in the form of paint has different composition as compare to other so, identification
is necessary.

(Task 5)
(Polymers are burden for environment)
Polymer are the basic material used in these days as we see the usage of polymeric material from
transportation to sanitary. These are actually light weight and have certain strength. We also see
the polymer material in rubber form where elasticity is required these material work better and
have no replacement. Now these days the polymer industry is raising and usage in every walk of
life.
According to the composition of polymers are classified into two types.
i.
ii.

Natural polymer
Synthetic polymer

Natural Polymers:
8

Natural polymers are natural occurring and does not affect the environment.
Synthetic Polymers:
Synthetic polymers are manufactured by the human and affect the environment badly due to the
decomposition of the toxic element. These are made of different element which give bad
influence on the weather and human health by decomposition.
Upon degradation these polymeric material rubbers, plastics and Styrofoam release such
chemical which are not environment friendly. The growing green fields also affected by the
unhealthy chemical produced upon degradation of garbage loads. It is also poison chemical for
animals, greenery and all living organism. Toxic fumes are produced due to the oxidation of
these synthetic polymers. Marine life is also affected by the polymers floating on the water.
Due to the oxidation and solar radiation the decomposition of the polymer into smaller parts
, monomers, which are also polymer present in the air and moves inside the lungs during
breathing. These are also the cause of death of many mammals and marine animals.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide which are also toxic for the air, produced by degradation of
plastics. These synthetic polymer reduction is necessary for the environment. The use of the
polymer in agriculture and food packaging is harmful due to biodegradability.
Water is also polluted by polymers. Use of the polymer in household water. It is combined with
sewage overflow. This untreated discharge comes on the surface if the water due to density
difference and hence marine life is affected.

(Task 6)
Numbers
1

2
3

4
5a

Items
Olive oil, corn oil,
vegetable oil, sunflower
oil
Drinks (mineral water,
juices, fizzy drinks, etc.
Bathroom accessories
(Harpic, drain opener,
Vim, etc.)
Shampoos/shower
gels/hand wash/lotions
Dinner set and handles of
cooking utensils.

Recycling code
3

Polymer
High Density
Polyethylene (PVC)

Polyethylene
Terephthalate (PET)
High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE)

2
5,6

High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polystyrene (PS)

5b
Yes there are some nonstick pans (frying pans, sheet pans)
The property of these material is due to coating of the non sticky material poly tetra flouro
ethylene (TEFLON) which doesnt allow the food to stick.
sports equipment,
clothing

PETE , POLY ESTER

6b
Yes, there are some polymeric material in the stores. Shirts made of polyester and sports
equipment.
7

Electronic equipment

3,4

canned food products

YOGURT

Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE),
POLY VINYL
CHLORIDE
(PVC)

HIGH Density Polyethylene

(HDPE),
POLY ESTER (PE)

8b
Why plastic are not used in canned food product?
Plastic contains BPA and toxic element which are high electrical resistance. It is a leaky
chemical and difficult to avoid from it. Male reproductive system defects, breast cancer,
immune system defects are produced which are harmful.
References
https://books.google.com.pk/books?isbn=1909569062
Examining Food and Nutrition - Page 133
IminesAdvances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition: Scholarly Brief page number 13
10

Polymers: The Environment and Sustainable Development

Polymer Analysis - Page 31

11