CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS - LABORATORY

Ryan Angelo T. Abapo BSCPE-1

Name Course & Year

Section: M2 Date: Nov 25,2021

Experiment No. 6
PLASTICS AND POLYMERS

A picture of yourself with all plastic samples

Picture of each plastic sample.

C C
o o
Picture Picture
d d
e e
A. Plastic Type, Visual Description, and Flexibility 1. Examine each plastic sample

and provide description using the following criteria:

a. Visual Description: transparent, translucent, opaque

b. Flexibility: Flex each sample through an angle of 10 o to 30o. Describe
whether flexible, semi-rigid or rigid.
 Plastic Type
Visual
Plastic Symbol Description Flexibility
Code Complete Name
 polyethylene
PET terephthalate Transparent Flexible

High Density Poly

HDPE Ethylene Opaque Rigid

Polyvinyl chloride
PVC
Transparent Semi-Rigid

Low density
LDPE polyethylene
Transparent
Flexible

Polypropylene
PP Opaque Semi-Rigid

Polystyrene
PS Opaque Flexible

Mix of other plastics

Other and materials Opaque Flexible

B. Physical and Chemical Properties

1. Density Test
Put a check mark on the appropriate cell.
 Plastic Water Rubbing Alcohol Cooking Oil
Type Code
float sink float sink float sink

1 ✓
2 ✓
3 ✓
4 ✓
5 ✓
6 ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓

Pictures

Water Rubbing Alcohol Cooking Oil

Note: Do not perform the following tests.

2. Copper Wire Test

 Research on which type of plastic will produce a green or orange/yellow flame.

3. Acetone Test
Research on which type will react in acetone.

4. Heat Test
Research on which type will liquify when burned.

Put a check mark on the appropriate cell.

Application

Think of a plastic recycling project that you can possibly implement in your household or
neighborhood using your technical knowledge as a first-year engineering student and as a
future engineer. Give details on how you will be able to apply mathematics and science
concepts to this plastic recycling project. Note: Put your references on the last page.
 An idea that came to mind is something called a Solar Bottle Bulb, The Solar Bottle Bulb is
made out of a used plastic soda bottle or water bottle, which is filled with water and liquid
bleach. The bottle is then fixed into a hole in the roof. While light streaming through just the
hole would come in through a single, straight, narrow light beam, the water in the Solar
Bottle Bulb refracts the light so that it can illuminate a larger space, 360 degrees around.
The bleach keeps the water clean by preventing algae from forming. The Solar Bottle Bulb
gives off 55 to 60 watts of clear light, and lasts up to 10 months. This could be used for the
residents that don’t have electricity, and could have the possibility of being installed on
streets to provide light.

References
https://challenge.whatdesigncando.com/projects/solar-water-bulb/

https://www.capewatch.co.za/make-solar-bottle-bulb/
https://www.heritagepaper.net/the-solar-bottle-bulb-lights-up-homes-with-recycled-
plastic-bottles/