Degradation of Polymers: Suggested Lab Work
Course Module for ME 5XX - The Degradation of Polymers
Suggested Lab Work
1. Thermal Degradation
Materials Required:
- 2 or more polymer samples, <1g each (ie, styrofoam, pre-foamed pellets, etc)
- heating pans
- DSC (Washburn Polymer lab, 2nd floor) & instruction manual
Thermal degradation of polymers is easily controlled in the lab. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is available in the polymer lab on the second floor of Washburn Hall. Prepare a laboratory report expounding on the use of DSC in thermal analysis for 2 or more available polymer samples, comparing the chemical structures of the polymers and the results of the DSC. Explain the resulting data in terms of the thermal degradation steps.
2. Mechanical Degradation
Materials Required:
- 2 or more polymers samples, solid, according to ASTM mechanical test standards (ie tensile bar)
- corrosive solutions with which to control the testing environment (ie salt, acidic)
- equipment in the Mechanical Testing Lab (Washburn, 1st floor) and applicable instruction manuals
Mechanical degradation of polymers is easy to impose and control in a laboratory environment. Equipment in the 1st-floor Mechanical Testing Laboratory is designed specifically for that purpose. The ability to control the environment in which a material is degraded is also available. Prepare a laboratory report comparing the yield strength and assorted strength factors for 2 or more available polymers samples under different environments. Some suggestions for environmental variation include:
- exposing samples to corrosive environments for varying time intervals
- exposing samples to different environments during mechanical testing.
Explain the resulting data in terms of the structure of the polymer matrix and the effects of the varied environments.
This page prepared by Kimberly Farrell for Professor Sisson of WPI, for use in ME XXX, Corrosion and assorted fun times.