LAB REPORT SHEET PST 312

NAME: MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI

GROUP: RAS1136A

LECTURER: MADAM NOR MAZLINA BINTI ABDUL WAHAB

SUBMIT DATE: 22 / 5 / 2020

 REPORT SHEET

SCHEME TITLE: TENSILE TEST (PLASTICS)

NAME: ___MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI
___________________________________________________
STUDENT ID.:_2017256806_____________________

DATA RECORDING
Type of polymer: Popypropylene

No. Width Thickness Tensile Strength Young’s Modulus Elongation (%)

(mm) (mm) (MPa) (MPa)

1 10.110 3.860 52.535 2402.228 6.273

2 10.450 3.820 48.278 2400.341 6.545

3 10.280 3.790 49.087 2140.189 6.182

4 10.250 3.700 50.540 1989.629 6.205

5 10.030 3.650 53.021 2486.983 6.244

AVERAGE 50.692 2283.874 6.290

Type of polymer: HDPE

No. Width Thickness Tensile Strength Young’s Modulus Elongation (%)

(mm) (mm) (MPa) (MPa)

1 9.590 3.600 31.760 1373.843 8.748

2 9.750 3.620 28.918 1108.234 9.738

3 9.810 3.630 31.272 1356.831 8.770

- - - - - -

- - - - - -
 AVERAGE ? ? ?

LAB QUESTIONS
1. What type of polymer that has been tested?

! PP

! HDPE

! LDPE

2. What is the shape of the test specimen used?

! Dumb-bell

3. Where should you measure the thickness and width of the test specimen?

! At gauge section area

4. What is the length of gauge length for the test specimen used?

! 15 cm

5. Why the test specimen must be vertically aligned?

! To avoid side loading or bending moments created in the specimen.

6. What is the speed/rate for plastic testing?

! 50mm/min

7. Define the following:

a) Tensile strength at break

! Tensile stress corresponding to the point of rapture.

 b) Gauge length

! The original length between 2 marks on the test piece over which change in

length is determine.

c) Yield point

! The first point in stress-strain curves at which increase in strain occurs

without the increase in stress. Some material does have yield point.

d) Modulus of elasticity

! The ratio of stress to corresponding strain below the proportional limit of the

materials. It is expressed in F/A. This is also known as young’s modulus. A

modulus is a measure of material stiffness.

8. Why tensile test is one of the most common type or widely used in stress-strain
measurement?
! This is because it is relatively easy to perform, gives reasonably reproducible
results and yields a great deal of information.
! From this test, one can obtain not only tensile strength but also elongation and
modulus.

9. What is the greatest source of error in this experiment?

! Improper alignment

10. Give factors affecting the tensile test result.

! Specimen preparation & specimen size.

! Rate of straining
! Temperature
 REPORT SHEET

SCHEME TITLE: MELT FLOW INDEX TEST

NAME: _MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI

_____________________________________________________
STUDENT ID.:__2017256806____________________

DATA RECORDING

Type of Temp. Cut Weight Weight Weight Average Average MFI

Polymer time of 1st cut of 2nd of 3rd cut weight of value
(°C)
(sec) (g) cut (g) (g) specimen (g)
g/10min

LDPE 170 30 43.00 45.00 39.00 42.33 14.11

HDPE 170 30 0.09 0.05 0.07 0.09 0.03

PP 230 30 28.00 27.00 29.00 28.00 9.33

Lab Questions

1. What is the significant of the MFI test?

! MFI test measures the rate of extrusion of a thermoplastic material

through an orifice of specific length and diameter under prescribed
conditions of temperature and load.

! This test is primarily used as a means of measuring the uniformity of

the flow rate of the material.

! The reported melt index values help to distinguish between different

grades of a polymer.
2. What is the melting temperature of your test specimen?

! PP - 230°C

! HDPE - 170°C

! LDPE - 170°C

3. How do you avoid air bubbles in specimen?

! The material is packed properly inside the extruder barrel to avoid

formation of air pockets.

! Push the resin in the barrel with plunger a few time until the resin
extruded through the die. Make sure the specimen that extruded
through the die has no bubbles . If still has bubble continue push with
the plunger and continue load the resin into the barrel until there is no
bubble int he specimen.

4. Why it is essential to take the specimen before the lower mark and after
the upper mark of the piston?

! Sample is taken only between the lower and upper marks of the piston.
Before the mark, the plastics may not properly molten, and if after the
mark the plastic might have degraded due to prolong residence at high
temperature in the barrel.

5. What source(s) of error would occur that can affect your result?

! Moisture

- Moisture in the material, especially a highly pigmented one, causes

bubbles to appear in the extrudate which may not be seen with the
naked eye. Frequent weighing of short cuts of the extrudate during
the experiments reveals the presence of moisture. The weight of the
extrudate is significantly influenced y the presence of the moisture
bubbles.

6. What type of polymer that has been tested shows higher MFI value and
explains why?

! LDPE has the higher MFI value. In other words, the more polymer
flows under test conditions. This thermoplastic also has low molecular
weight and low viscosity polymer.
7. Define MFI?

! The weight of the polymer (in grams) extruded in 10 min through a

capillary of specific diameter and length by pressure applied through
dead weight under prescribed temperature conditions.

8. How would relate the MFI value with the molecular weight and viscosity of
polymer?

! Melt flow index (MFI) is a measure of the ease of flow, of the

thermoplastic polymer melt.

! MFI is an assessment of average molecular weight and is an inverse

measure of the melt viscosity.

! Low MFI - high molecular weight, high viscosity polymer.

! High MFI - low molecular weight, low viscosity polymer.

 REPORT SHEET

SCHEME TITLE: IZOD IMPACT TEST

NAME: _MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD

NAZRI_______________________________ STUDENT
ID.:___2017256806___________________

DATA RECORDING

ASTM impact energy is expressed in J/m or ft-lb/in. Impact strength is calculated by

dividing impact energy in J (or ft-lb) by the thickness of the specimen.

ISO impact strength is expressed in kJ/m2. Impact strength is calculated by dividing

impact energy in Joule by the area under the notch.

Type of polymer: High density polyethylene (HDPE)

No. Width Thickness Impact Strength Impact Strength

(mm) (mm) (J/m) (kJ/m2)

1 9.74 3.63 21.24 6.193

2 9.81 3.62 22.42 6.193

3 9.95 3.81 23.11 6.065

4 9.80 3.62 20.40 5.635

5 9.79 3.68 18.38 4.995

6 9.80 3.62 15.30 4.227

7 9.80 3.61 20.20 5.596

Average 20.15 5.557

Type of polymer: Polypropylene (PP)

No. Width Thicknes Impact Strength Impact

s Strength
(mm) (J/m)
(mm) (kJ/m2)

1 10.11 4.19 36.59 8.733

2 10.31 4.21 38.79 9.219

3 9.91 4.06 35.31 8.697

4 10.23 4.18 39.10 9.354

5 10.12 4.18 26.67 6.411

6 10.14 4.09 33.53 8.198

7 10.88 4.15 38.46 9.267

Average 35.49 8.554

Table 1: Data for the Impact Test Results

Lab Questions

1. From the izod tester equipment, how we can ensure that the pendulum is
swinging freely?

! Strike a standard specimen at the lowest point of its swing, and record the
height to which the pendulum, continue its swing. When the pendulum impact
the test piece and break it.

2. How much the energy of used pendulum carried in the experiment?

! 1.0J

3. What is the speed of pendulum striking the test specimen?

! 3.46m/s
4. Why the samples need to be notched before being tested?

! The reason for notching the specimen is to provide stress

concentration area that promotes brittle rather than ductile failure.

5. Give 2 (TWO) factors that contribute errors in the experiment?

! Variation of clamping pressure.

! Failure to strike the specimen squarely.

6. Define the following:

a) Toughness

- Define as the ability of the polymer to absorb applied energy.

b) Impact resistance

- The ability of the material to resist breaking under the shock loading or the
ability to resist fracture under stress applied at high speed.

c) Brittle failure

- Is the type of failure at part fractures extensively without yielding. A

catastrophic mechanical failure such as the one in the case of
general-purpose polystyrene is observed.
 REPORT SHEET

SCHEME TITLE: VICAT SOFTENING POINT TEST

NAME: __MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI
______________________________ STUDENT
ID.:_2017256806_____________________

DATA RECORDING

1. Type of polymer : PP HDPE

2. Thickness of specimen (mm) : 4.15 4.01

3. Initial starting temperature (°C) : 42.9

4. Rate of temperature rise (°C) : 120 120

5. Load applied to the specimen (N) : 50 50

6. Vicat softening temperature (°C) : 116.3 72.6

LAB QUESTIONS

1. Define VST.
! Vicat Softening Temperature is the temperature at which a flat-needle of 1 mm2
circular cross section will penetrates thermoplastic specimen to a depth of 1 mm
under a specific load using a selected uniform rate of temperature rise.

2. What is the significant of the data obtained from this test?

! That is useful to characterize polymers that have no definite melting point. It also
useful in comparing the heat-softening qualities of thermoplastic materials.

3. What is the function of temperature control bath?

! To control the temperature which causes the changes on the plastic
sample to soften and hence easy for penetration to occur. The
temperature of the bath is raised at a specified rate i.e 50 or 120°C/hour.
4. Why silicon oil is used as heat transfer medium in this experiment?
! Medium for heat transfer to soften plastic materials.

5. Give one (1) factor that contribute errors in this experiment.

! Use the plastic material that has wide Vicat softening range.
 REPORT SHEET
SCHEME TITLE: ABRASION TEST
NAME: ____MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI
_________________________ STUDENT
ID.:__2017256806________________

DATA RECORDING
1. Initial weight (g) : 45.1526

2. Density : 1.983

3. Weight after trial run (g) : 44.7470

4. Trial run mass loss (mg) : 410.6

5. Running-in revolution : 125

6. Weight after running-in (g) : 44.6240

7. Running-in mass loss (mg) : 118

Test Run: 250 rev.

1 2 3 4 5
Test piece 44.5102 44.3864 44.2694 44.1445 44.0318
weight (g)

Mass Loss 113.8 123.8 117 124.9 112.7

(mg)

Average 118.44
mass loss
(mg)
 8. Vol. loss of test rubber, Vt : ____59.278_________

8. Initial wt. of std. rubber (g) : 44.427

9. Density of std. rubber : 1.188

10. Ave. mass loss of std. rubber (mg): ___1.998__________

11. Vol. loss of std. rubber, Vs : ___1.998 / 1.118 =

1.682__________

12. Calculate ARI = Vs x 100%

Vt

ARI = 1.628 / 59.728 X 100%

= 2.726

LAB QUESTIONS

10. What is the significant of the Akron Abrasion test?

! Akron abrasion tester is used for testing wear-resisting property of

vulcanized rubber. It is especially well suited for testing harder
materials .

11. What is the dimension of the test specimen?

! The test piece shall be a disc 13mm thick and 63mm in diameter, with a
central hole 13mm in diameter, prepared by moulding.

12. Why the slit angle is set to 15°?

! A 15° angle is the recognized standard for natural rubber

vulcanizates. The angle shall be accurate.

13. What source(s) of error would occur that can affect your result?
! The slit angle is not between 0℃ to 45℃ and the clamping is not fully
tightening
14. Explain the following terms:

i) Abrasion resistance
- The resistance to wear of a rubber when its surface is subjected to
mechanical action.

ii) Mass loss

- The mass lost for the calculation of the abrasion resistance index shall
be the mean value determined from the 5 test run, expressed as mg per
1000 revolutions (mg/1000 rev) of the abrasive wheel. For the standard
rubber, the mass loss shall be the mean of the values determined on that
rubber both before and after making the test runs.
 REPORT SHEET

SCHEME TITLE: HARDNESS (RUBBER)

NAME: _MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI
_____________________________________________________
STUDENT ID.:__2017256806____________________

DATA RECORDING

Sample Type: Rubber Vulcanizate

Shore type: A

Sample Hardness value at five different position Average

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Rubber 36 36 37 36.5 36 36.3

vulcanizate with

carbon black filler

Control rubber 20 19 19 18 18 18.8

sample

Rubber 35 36 36 36 35.5 35.9

vulcanizate with

silic filler

LAB QUESTIONS

1. Define hardness.
! The resistance of a material to deformation, particularly permanent
deformation, indentation or scratching.
2. What is the significance of hardness test?
! Hardness test is important for quality control of material

3. What is the real purpose of hardness test?

! To determine the elastic modulus of the material under conditions of small
strain.
4. What are the factors affecting hardness value?
1) Temperature and Humidity
" Higher temperature and higher humidity caused lower
hardness value.
2) Surface conditions
" A smooth molded surface has a higher value than a machined
one.
3) Filler
" Addition of filler will increase the hardness value.

5. Explain the principle of hardness test.

! Forcing an indenter into the sample surface followed by measuring
dimensions of the indentation (depth or actual surface area of the
indentation).

6. State three factors affecting the depth of indentation.

! the dimensions/shape of the indenter
! load applied
! the elastic modulus of the material
 REPORT SHEET
SCHEME TITLE: DENSITY TEST
NAME: __MOHAMAD HARITH BIN MOHAMAD NAZRI
_________________________________________________STUDEN
T ID.:__2017256806____________________

DATA RECORDING

Type of Sample Density (g/cm3) Average

1st 2nd 3rd

Compounded Rubber 1.945 1.984 2.031 1.986

HDPE 0.998 0.949 0.953 0.966

PP 0.910 0.905 0.906 0.907

LAB QUESTIONS
1. Define density.

! Density is a measure of how heavy an object is for a given size.

2. Why density test is important physical property?

! Density is important because it affects whether objects will float or sink.

3. Does your sample float or sink? Why? Explain each of your sample.

! Compounded rubber: its sink because of the higher density than a volume

! HDPE: Its float because of lower density of plastic material

! PP: Its float because of low density of plastic material

4. Why distilled water is use in this test?

! Distilled water at standard temperature and pressure has been used as the
standard liquid with a reliable specific gravity.

5. Explain the basic principle of density test.

! Measuring the amount of water displaced from a full container when the
object is completely immersed.

6. What is Archimedes’ buoyancy principle?

! The density determination is performed by means of Archimedes' buoyancy

principle. Archimedes' principle states that a body immersed in a fluid
apparently loses weight by an amount equal to the weight of the fluid it
displaces.