Abstract

This research is conducted to identify the different types of polymer.

Different types of polymer have different types of physical and chemical
properties. Polyethylene Terepthalate (PETE), High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PYV), Low Density Polythylene (LDPE),
Polypropylene (PP), and Polystyrene (PS) are selected to be differentiation.
In this experiment, we will perform several tests to identify them. First
of all, we try to test the six different polymer by putting them into water
and we separate those polymers into two type which is polymers which
can sink and polymers which can float. The polymers which sink will
tested using copper wire test, acetone test and heat test while the
polymers which float will be tested using isopropyl alcohol test and
vegetable oil test.
In conclusion, we observed that PVC will produce green flame when
heated using copper wire and polystyrene (PS) will dissolve with acetone .
Polyethylene Terepthalate (PETE) will react and become soft when put into
the hot water. Moreover, the high density polyethylene (LDPE) will sink
when we put it into isopropyl alcohol test. In vegetable oil test, low density
polyethylene (LDPE) will sink and polypropylene (PP) will float in vegetable
oil.
Conclusion
After several experiment, we observed that PVC will produce green
flame when heated using copper wire and polystyrene (PS) will dissolve
with acetone . Polyethylene Terepthalate (PETE) will react and become soft
when put into the hot water. Moreover, the high density polyethylene
(LDPE) will sink when we put it into isopropyl alcohol test. In vegetable oil
test, low density polyethylene (LDPE) will sink and polypropylene (PP) will
float in vegetable oil.
In six different polymers, the polymers have different chemical
properties. Some can dissolve in acetone test while some cannot. Some
sink in alcohol test while some float. Therefore, we can conclude that
different polymers have different strength and some are more stable
compared to others.
In term of stability, polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) is the weakest
polymer as it is become soft easily after put into a hot water. Polystyrene
(PS) is stronger compared to PETE as it dissolve in acetone easily but it
does not become soft in hot water. The polymers such as low density
polyethylene, polypropylene and high density polyethylene is more stable
compared to other polymers. Polyvinyl chloride is the most stable polymer
and is used for pipes and tiles.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) has the formula of (C10H8O4)n which has
a weaker structure compared to other polymers.

Diagram above shows the structure of PETE

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) has the formula of (C2H3Cl)n which has a stronger structure
compared to other polymers.
Diagram above shows the structure of PVC

Low density polyethene produced are branched chained polymers with

3
lower density (0.92 g cm ) and lower melting point, softer, amorphous
and is atactic.
High density polyethene produced are linear chained polymers with
3
higher density (0.95 g cm ) and higher melting point, crystalline, greater
tensile strength, resistance to heat, harder and isotactic. It is used to
make plastic bags, toys, furniture and buckets.

Therefore, high density polyethene is more stable than low density

polyethene.
Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer
styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is
clear, hard, and rather brittle while polypropylene (PP) is a linear hydrocarbon
polymer, expressed as CnH2n. PP, like polyethylene (see HDPE, L/LLDPE) and
polybutene (PB), is a polyolefin or saturated polymer. Hence, they are stronger
polymer compare to PETE and polyethene.