Polymer Science

Testing polymer strength

The strength of a polymer depends on the material of the polymer and length
and width of the polymer. This experiment explains that the strength of polymer
increases as the width is increased.
Equipment
Plastic bag
Masses
Two wooden tables of the same height
Ruler
A pair of scissors
Pencil
Method
Cut a 1 cm X ! cm polymer strip. "old approximately 1 cm at both ends and tape
the edges.
Ma#e small holes at both ends$ using a scissor
Place two tables about %! cm apart.
&upport the ruler across the tables with the strip as a loop around it.
'oo# a 1!! g mass through both the holes in the strip.
&ee if the strip brea#s. (eep adding masses until the strip brea#s.
Repeat the test using )*+ different widths$ #eeping the length the same.
Risks
"alling masses is the main ris# in this test. &tand well bac# while adding the
masses as they could fall on your feet when the strip brea#s.