POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

EXPERIMENT NO:-1

AIM : IDENTIFICATION OF PLASTICS BY PHYSICAL METHODS

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATOIN INFERENCE

1.Cutting test a) A shaving can be pared a) probably
Try to cut the sample with a knife thermoplastics
o
b) probably
f thermoset

b) pare but instead flakes

or powder
2. Scratch test (distinguish between PE a) easily scratched a) may be PE
& PP) b) can not be scratched b) may be PP
Try to scratch with finger nail
3.Dropping Test a) Metallic sound a) PS PC, SAN, ABS,
Drop the sample on a hard surface & PPCP, thermoset.
note the sound b) Dull sound b) Cellulose acetate,
PVC, PTFE, PP, PE
4. Melting & Odour Test Melt behaviour:- Check results against
Heat a metal plate & place a small piece a) Softens, remains hard, the table given in table
of plastic material on it. b) Flows, bubbles, wells, no. 1
c) Dose not char but
melts,
d) Melts & chars.
e) Burning rubber,
candle
f) Marigold, Sweet fruit,
g) Lubricating oil,
vinegar
h) Rancid butter.
5.Burning test a) Degree of Check results against
Hold a small piece of sample in a flame, flammability:- the table given in table
if it ignites, with draw it from the flame burn, self extinguishing, no. 2
does not burn.
b) Colour of flame
c) Type of flame
(steady, tall, short)
d) Smoke ( black,
sooty, etc)
6. Solubility test Swelling of the sample compare the observed
Add approximately 0.1g of finely divided result with the
plastic to a test tube with 5-10 ml of the respective table no. 3
solvent. Over the course of several hours
thoroughly shake the test tube and
observe of possible swelling of the
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sample. This can often take quite a long

time if necessary heat the test tube gently
with constant agitation. This can be done
with a Bunsen burner but a water bath is
better.
Precaution: Avoid sudden boiled of the
solvent boiling of the solvent as it may
spill out of test tube. And most organic
solvents are flammable.
7.Pyrolisis test smell of the confirm the sample
Add a small sample to a pyrolysis tube decomposition gas and from the respective
gripping the end of the tube with a pair of colour of litmus paper table no. 4
tong. At the open end of the tube hold a
moistened litmus paper or pH paper.
Heat the test tube in the flame of a
Bunsen burner that has been reduced to
minimum heat taking care to point the
open end of the tube away form the face
(preferably wear safety glasses) Heating
should occur so slowly that the change in
the sample and in the smell of the
decomposition gas can be properly
observed. Classify the vapour acidic,
basic or neutral by moistened litmus
paper
8.Identification of plastics film by tear Tearing behavior:-
test :- a) Tough, stretches before a) may be PE
Cut a piece of the film about (12mm x tearing.
50mm) make a short starting out at one b) Tough, stretches a lot b) may be PP
end with a pair of scissors. Pull and before tearing
attempt to tear the film. Repeat the test in c) Stretches and then tear c) may be PVC
a direction at right angle ruggedly
d) Tear easily and straight d) may be CA, PS or
e) Stretches and then pull cellophane
apart e) may be PVOH
9. Bending test Bending behaviour Check the observed
Take a plastic sample of (10mm x100mm fact against the table
x 2mm) size and perform the bending test given Table No.5

Table no. 1: MELTING AND ODOUR CHARACTERISTICS

Plastic Materials Melting Behaviors Odour
(Thermoplastics)
Polyethylene Melts& bubbles fiercely waxy around the edges Burning candle

Polypropylene Becomes soft, tends to waxy Form a ball Waxy smell including
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Lubricating oil smell

PTFE Does not melt None
PS Melts & bubbles around edges Marigold
ABS Becomes soft but not fluid Burning rubber
PVC Soften & forms a ball, smell of chlorine
Cellulose acetateChars at the bottom melts & emits white Pungent Vinegar smell
Smoke, dangerous (moth balls)
CAB melts & chars at the edges Rancid butter
PMMA Boils & bubbles fruity, floral smell
Polycarbonate Bubbles, develops a cellular structure before None
decomposing
Nylon Melts, round edges & chars Burning wool of vegetable
Casein Swells & chars on ignition Burning milk
Acetyls polymers Melts ,forms drops pungent smell of
& copolymers formaldehyde.
PET Melts, pacifies, blackens Pleasant elusive odour
PVAc Softens Vinyl acetate smell
Phenol resins Does not melt Carbolic smell
Urea resins Does not melt Fishy smell
Melamine Resin Does not melt Fishy smell
Epoxy Blackens & softens pleasant like burnt
flower

Table no. 2: TYPICAL RESULTS OF BURNING TESTS

Plastic Colour of Flame Type of Smoke Other features
PE Blue with yellow Almost absent flaming plastic
off Tends to drip
PP yellow with blue Base -do- -do-
PTFE Does not burn none none
PS Orange yellow Sooty Heavy, black Spurting, burns easily
ABS Orange yellow -do- Strong smell of styrene and rubber
PVC Yellow with green at bottom Some white smoke Burns with difficulty self extinguishing
edges
CN Hot white None Burns furiously very dangerous
CA Yellow turns Brown at Some light Strong smell of vinegar
base smoke
PMMA Blue base yellow tipped A little black Not self extinguishing
,bubbles at base smoke
Nylon Blue with yellow tip none material drips, self-extinguishing
Acetal Pale blue none Burns readily
Casein Yellow Almost absent self extinguishing
Phenolic yellow with light blue edge none Burns with difficulty, swells &
cracks,
Epoxy Yellow orange Smoky burns continuously
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Polyester -do- -do- -do-

PYROLYSIS TEST
LITMUS TEST OF PYROLYSED GAS
Table No. 4:- Litmus and pH test for vapour of plastic.
Litmus paper becomes
Red Blue Essentially unchanged
pH 0.5-4.0 5.0- 5.5 8.0-9.5
Halogen containing Polyolefin Polyamide
Polymer, Polyvinyl alcohol ABC
Polyvinyl esters Polyvinyl acetate PAN
Cellulose esters Polyvinyl ether Phenolic and
PET Styrene polymer Cresol resin
Novolacs (including SAN)** Amino resin
PU elastomers Polymethacrylate (Aniline, Melamine
Unsaturated POM Urea formaldehyde)
Poly ester resins PC
Fluorine containing Linear PU
Polymers Silicones
Vulcanised fibre Phenolic resins
Polyalkylane sulphide Epoxy resins
Cross linked PU

Table No. 5:- TYPICAL RESULTS OF BENDING TESTS

Thermoplastics Bending Behavior
PE Bends tend to stay
PP Unbends most of the way
PS Cracks but retains bend
ABS Bends tends to remain
RPVC (Rigid PVC) Bends easily and springs back quickly (plasticized PVC is more flexible)
CA Bend tends to remain
PMMA Cracks and splinters difficult to bend
Nylon Springs back

Flame Test
Film When held on a flame of a bunsen burner
(Density, gm/cc) Colour Behaviour Odour
PE Top yellow White smoke melts and drips like Burnt wax
(LDPE=0.9-0.94) Bottom Blue wax
HDPE=0.94-0.965)
PP -do- Melts and drips -do-
(0.9-0.915)
PS Yellow orange Black soot, no drips, Softens Pleasant
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(1.04-1.09)
PVC Yellow Orange, Decomposes Chlorine
(1.20-1.30) green edge
Cellophane Yellow orange Smoke, fast and complete burning Burnt paper
(0.48) gray
Polyester Yellow Black smoke, no dripping, burns Not aggressive
(1.30) steadily
PC Yellow orange Black smoke, no dripping, Not aggressive
(1.2) Decomposes
Nylon Blue with yellow Melts, drips, and froths rigid drips Burnt hair
(1.06-1.14) top
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

EXPERIMENT NO:-2

AIM:-DETECTION OF ELEMENTS IN POLYMERS AND SOLUBILITY OF POLYMERS

DETECTION OF NITROGEN, CHLORINE AND BROMINE, FLUORINE AND SULPHUR

BY SPECIFIC WET TEST
PREPARATION OF SODIUM FUSION EXTRACT

A small piece of clean sodium (about 0.02g) is placed in –an ignition tube warmed and small
quantity (about 0.1g) of the sample to be tested is added. The tube is gently heated until reaction
subsides and then strongly until the glass is red hot. The tube is then plunged into distilled
(10ml) contained in a china dish. The filtrate is divided into four equal portions which are
used for the detection elements.

A. Test for Nitrogen

Two ml of the sodium fusion extract is boiled with 3 drops of freshly prepared aqueous
ferrous sulphate and then cooled , after acidification with acid , a drop of 0.5N aqueous
Silver nitrate is then added. A blue precipitate confirms the presence of nitrogen.

B. Test for Chlorine and Bromine

Two ml of the sodium fusion extract is acidified with 5N nitric acid, the solution is boiled
for 2 min.0.01N aqueous silver nitrate is then added.
A white precipitate which is soluble in ammonia confirms the presence of chlorine
whereas a yellow precipitate which is insoluble in ammonia confirms the presence of
bromine.

C. Test for fluorine

Acidify the original solution with dilute HCl or acetic acid and then add a 1(N) CaCl2
solution. A gel like precipitate of Calcium fluoride indicates the presence of Fluorine.

D. Test for sulphur

Two ml of sodium fusion extract is added to added to three drops of freshly prepared
aqueous Sodium Nitropruside (Approx 0.5%).A violet indicated the presence of Sulphur.

Table No. 1: Solubility of plastics

Polymer Solvent Non-solvent
Polyethylene P-Xylene. Trichlorobenzene, acetone, Diethyl ether,lower alcohol
Polybutene Decane, Decalin
Isotactic PP
Atactic PP Hydrocarbon, Isoamylacetate Ethyl acetate, Propanol
Polyisobutylene Hexane, benzene carbon tetrachloride, Acetone, Methanol Methyl acetate
Tetra hydrofuran
Polybutadiene Aliphatic and Aromatic hydrocarbon Acetone. Diethyl ether, lower Alcohol
Polyisoprene
PS Benzene. Toluene, Chloroform, Lower alcohol Diethyl ether (Swells)
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Cyclohexane, Butyl acetate, carbon

disulphide
PVC Tetra hydro furan, cyclohexane, methanol, acetone heptane
methylethyl- Ketone, dimethyl
formamide
Polyvinylfluoride cyclohexanone, dimethylfomamide Aliphatic hydrocarbon, methanol
PTFE Insoluble
Polyvinyacetate Benzene, chloroform, methanol, Diethyl ether, petroleum ether, Butanol
acetone, Butyl acetate
Polymethacrylate tetrahydrofuran, toluene petroleum ether
PAN Dimethyl formamide, Alcohol, diethyl ether, water
dimethylsulfoxide,
Conc. Sulfuric acid
Polyvinyl alcohol water,dimethyl formamide, Hydrocarbon, methanol acetone, diethyl
dimethylsulfoxide ether

Cellulose Aqueous cuprammonium hydroxide, Methanol, acetone

Zinc Chloride, aqueous calcium
thiocyanate
Aliphatic Polyester Chloroform,formic acid,benzene Methanol,diethyl ether,aliphatic
hydrocarbon
Polyethylene glycol m-cresol,o-chlorophenol nitrobenzene, Methanol,acetone aliphatic
terephthalate trichloroacetic acid hydrocarbons
Polyamides Formic acid,conc.sulfuric Methanol,diethyl ether,
acid,dimethylformamid, Hydrocarbons
m-cresol
Polyurethanes formic acid,y-butyrolactone,dimethyl methanol,diethyl ether,
(uncrosslinked) formamide,m-crecol hydrocarbons
Polyoxymethylene y-butyrolactone,dimethyl formamide , Methanol, diethylehter, aliphatic
benzylalcohol hydrocarbons
Polyethyeneoxide water benzene dimethylformamide Aliphatic hydrocarbons, diethylether
Polyethylsiloxane Chloroform, heptane benzene diethyl Methanol, ethanol
ether

Experiment No. 3
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Aim: Determination of unknown polymer sample

Procedure: Based on Experiment 1 and 2, you have to identify the unknown polymer sample.
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Experiment No.- 4

AIM: Synthesis of Poly(methylmethacrylate) by bulk polymerization technique and

determination of viscosity average molecular weight.

THEORY: PMMA is a transparent and colorless thermoplastic with high softening point. It is
available in molding and extrusion composition, cast sheets, rods and tubes. PMMA is obtained
by chain polymerization of the monomer PMMA using suitable catalyst.

REACTION:-
CH2= C(CH3)COOCH3 Bz2O2 -(CH2 – C(CH3)COOCH3) -

REAGENTS REQUIRED :
Methyl methacrylate (MMA)
Benzoyl Peroxide
Sodium hydroxide

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1 Conical Flask
2 Constant temperature water bath
3 Funnel
4 Beaker ( 250 ml)
5 Petridish with lid
6 Separating funnel (250 ml.)

PROCEDURE: -
1. Purify 25ml. (MMA) monomer by washing with 2% aqueous NaOH Solution.
2. Take equal volume of NaOH Solution and MMA in a Separating funnel and mix by
tumbling . Separate the aqueous phase and take the monomer (clear layer ) in the conical
flask .
3. Add Catalyst (Bz202) to this monomer and mix .
4. Reaction is to be carried out in an inert atmosphere.
5. Place the reaction flask on the water bath, and carry out the reaction at 800C until
completion of the reaction .

RESULT:- Report the % yield

Cast the film by film casting method
Characterization of the film be FTIR spectroscopy

Experiment No. 5
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Aim: Determination of molecular weight of a polymer by viscometric method.

Apparatus
1. Ubbelohde viscometer
2. stop watch
3. pipette(10ml)
4. Measuring cylinder
5. Clamp with stand
6. Filter paper
7. Sucker

Principle
The viscosity of a polymer solution is considerably higher compared to the pure
solvent. The increase in viscosity imparted by the macromolecules in solution is a
direct function of the hydrodynamic volume and hence the molecular weight of the
macromolecule.
The ratio η/ηo is Known as relative viscosity, where η = viscosity of
polymer solution and ηo= viscosity of pure solvent. This and other terms related to
viscosity measurements are given below: Relative viscosity= η/ηo = t/to = ηr.
Specific viscosity = (η-ηo) / ηo = (t - to) / to = ηr-1 = ηsp.

t and to are the times (in sec) for the flow of the equal volume of solution and
solvent respectively.

Reduced viscosity = ηsp/c = ηred, dl/g, where c = concentration of the solution in g/dl
Inherent viscosity =In ηr/c = ηin, dl/g.
Intrinsic viscosity = ( ηsp/c)c-o = ln (ηr/c)c-o = [η], dl/g
[Or Staudinger Index or Limiting viscosity number]
Molecular weight of polymer is related to [η] by the following equation known as
Mark –Houwink equation:
[η] = KMva-------- (1)
Where K and a are constants for a particular polymer/solvent/temperature.
A plot of (ηsp/c) Vs conc. for a series of polymer solution of different concentrations
will help one to find out the (ηsp/c)c=0 or [n]. Then by using the following
equation(2) Mv of the Polymer can be found out.
ln[η] = lnk + a ln(Mv)-----------(2)
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Procedure:

1.Wash and dry the viscosity (with chromic acid and water).

2.Clamp the viscometer vertically.

3.Introduce about 20ml of pure solvent(supplied)into it by ppt. At the end of the

right limb.

4.Suck the liquid in the middle limb with the help of the sucker till it reaches
the upper mark.

5.Allow the liquid in the middle limb to flow though the capillary and note the time
(to)(in sec) taken by the liquid to flow from the upper mark to the lower mark.

6.Now repeat the same (from 3 to 5) for the supplied solution.

7.Introduce required amount of solvent though the right limb to dilute the solution
in the viscometer to the next concentrations.

8.Repeat the procedure as mentioned in point(5).

9.Report the results in tabular form as below:-

Sl.No. Conc (c )g/ml Time(t), sec ηr ηsp ηred= ηsp/c

10.Plot ηsp/c vs. conc and find out [η].

11.Calculate mol. Weight (Mv) using corresponding values of k and a at the temp.
of experiment.

12. Usefulness of Experiment and Limitations: -

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Experiment No.: 6
TITLE: Effect of Filler on Natural Rubber Compound
Rubber in its uncompounded state is a tacky material with allows values of physical properties
and is dimensionally unstable. Thus it needs to be properly compounded with various
compounding ingredients and properly cured or vulcanized to meet the specified requirements
for its contemplated end use. Thus it can be inferred that compounding and subsequent curing of
a particular grade of rubber has become an integral part of rubber technology.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENT:
Rubber, various compounding ingredients, moulds releasing agent.

PROCEDURE:
1) Masticate NR in Two Roll Mill for one minute.
2) Add filler and masticate for around 3 minutes.
3) Add other ingredients according to the sequence and write the usefulness of each.
COMPOUNDING FORMULA
Compounding ingredients Content, phr
NR 100
Calcium carbonate [Filler] 0,10, 20, 5, 15, 25
Zinc Oxide [Activator] 5
Stearic acid [Activator] 2
Paraffin wax [Lubricant] 1
Sulphur [Cross-linking agent] 2
4) Cure at 145°C for 15 minutes in hot press in sheet form (size)
5) Determine tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break (As per ASTM D638), hardness(As
per ASTM D2240) by Durometer.
6) Cut specimen for tensile testing by punching die and keep for conditioning at 23°C & 50%
RH overnight
7) Tensile test conditions (UTM, Instron): Crosshead speed 50 mm/min, Load 10 KN, at least
three specimens are to be tested for each reading.

RESULTS:
1) Tensile strength,
2) Modulus at 300% elongation,
3) Elongation at break %
4) Hardness in Shore –A
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Experiment No.: 7
TITLE: MELT FLOW INDEX – Determination of MFI (ASTM D 1238)

Melt flow index of thermoplastic material is defined as the rate of flow in gram per ten minutes
of extrudate of molten resins from a cylindrical cavity inside a heated metallic barrel through a
jet of specified length and diameter under prescribed conditions of temperature, load, and piston
position.

MFI value is used as a production control assessment of the average molecular mass as well as
viscosity or flow ability. However the data obtained by this test does not necessarily correlate
with the process ability of the polymer. Never the less the reported values help to distinguish
between different grades of materials.

Typical MFI range are in g/10 min at 190oC, and under 2.16 kg load for polyethylenes:
Typical MFI range
Injection moulding grade 5 – 100
Rotational moulding grade 5 – 20
Film extrusion grade 0.5 - 6
Blow moulding grade 0.1 – 1
Profile extrusion grade 0.1 – 1
Factors affecting the test results:
a) Preheat time
b) Moisture
c) Packing
d) Volume of sample

DETERMINATION OF DIE SWELL

As polymer melts are viscoelastic, a typical phenomenon in polymer melt extrusion is the
swelling of the extrudate as it leaves the die. This is due to the elastic recovery of the
deformation that the polymer melt was exposed to in the die. Degree of die swell is given in
terms of a swell ratio:
Extrudate diameter
Swell ratio = ---------------------------
Capillary diameter
The elastic recovery is time dependant. The critical parameter is the time of polymer melt is
constrained within the capillary If this is decreased (by decreasing capillary length or by
increasing wall shear) then the swell ratio must increase.

Procedure:
1. Preheat the Melt Index apparatus to a specified temperature
2. Fill the cylinder within one minute with a weighed portion of the sample according to the
specification of the material under test. Fill the cavity initially up to approximately one third
of its length followed by pressing down with the packing rod. Repeat this till whole of the
charge is filled inside the cavity.
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3. Place a specified weight on the piston.

4. Start the stopwatch to note the preheat time. Allow the charge to preheat for a period of 4
minutes to enable it to attain the desired test temperature.
5. As soon as the lower scribed mark on the piston shank reaches the top of the piston guide,
reset the stopwatch to zero and restart it immediately. Simultaneously cut off the extrudate at
the lower face of the jet using the cutting tool provided. Collect separately cut-offs obtained
after each successive test time.
6. Allow the remaining charge in the cavity to discharge through the hole in the jet.
7. Remove the disc weight and piston, Proceed for cleaning.
8. Allow the cut-offs to cool down to room temperature. Discard the first cut-off and any
subsequent cut-offs showing presence of air bubbles. Weigh the remaining cut-offs to nearest
1 mg. Report data in g/10 min.
9. Determine MFI of one sample at one temperature, using different loads. Measure diameter of
extrudate.

For polyethylene
1) Temperature: 190°C
2) Load: 2.16kg, 5.00kg

Determine the followings

1) MFI at two different loads and find melt flow ratio (MFR; ratio of MFI at two different
loads)

2) Extrudate swell ratio

POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Experiment No.: 8
TITLE: Preparation of general purpose Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) moulding powder.
Novolak Resin - The novolaks are prepared by reacting phenol with formaldehyde in a molar
ratio of approximately 1 : 0.8 under acidic conditions.
Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Stage 3:

Novolak Resin (typical structure)

Hardener for Curing

Hexamethylene tetramine
Structure of PF resin after curing

FORMULATION:
Ingredients Composition(phr)
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Novolak resin 100

Hexamethylene tetramine [Crosslinking Agent/Hardener] 12.5
MgO [Accelerator] 0.3
Magnesium Stearate [Lubricant] 0.2
Wood flour/ Rice husk [Filler] 70, 80, 90, 100, 75, 85

EQUIPMENT: - High speed mixer

Process: -
1. Add finely ground novolak resin to the mixer.
2. Add the other ingredients too at once and mix for 15 minutes.
3. Collect the blend from mixer
4. Make sheets of this and cut test specimens as instructed in your class.

Testing
Prepare tensile specimen and find out its tensile properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus)

Graph
Plot tensile strength vs glass content, and tensile modulus vs glass content
POLYMER ENGINEERING LAB

Experiment No.: 9
TITLE: INJECTION MOULDING – WINDSOR ST25
Study the ST 25 Injection moulding machine. Note machine ratings.
1. Study the hydraulic mechanism of the machine. Note location and function of the
hydraulic cylinders.
2. Define: Closing speed, Opening speed, Slow down, Locking force, Injection speed,
Injection pressure, Injection temperature, Locking period, Reduced injection pressure,
Injection period, Screw refill, Suck back, Reaction pressure, Cooling period, Sprue break,
Cycle delay.
3. Identify location and function of various limit switches.
4. Practice Injection Moulding in semi automatic mode. Note the procedure for semi –
automatic operation of the Injection Moulding machine.
5. Report the cycle time.
Study trouble shooting. Give causes and remedies for short shot flashing, sink flow mark,
weld line, void, Black streak, warping & poor mould Release.

OBSERVATIONS
CYCLE TIME DETERMINATION
Material :
Process Parameters: Temperatures; Pressure: Injection Rate:
Clamping End Injection End
Time Time
Mould close and lock- Injection time, s
Injection, packing, part Screw dwell(Packing time), s
cooling Injection unit retraction time, s
Mould Open- Ejection Refilling/plasticating time, s
and mould open dwell Injection unit forward time, s
Total Total
Cycles per hour:
Cycles per 24 hour:
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Trouble Cause Remedy
Short shot
Flashing
Sink mark
Flow mark
Weld line
Void
Black streak
Warping
Poor mould Release
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Experiment No.: 10
TITLE: Preparation of FRP sheets of different fiber loadings

AIM : Preparation of FRP sheets of different fiber loadings.

Polyester Resin: Condensation of polyhydroxy compounds with polybasic acids, e.g. a glycol
with a dicarboxylic acid:

Unsaturated Polyester Resin: made by polycondensations involving varied proportions of a

saturated acid (phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, adipic acid, etc.), an unsaturated acid, which
is most invariably maleic anhydride and a glycol (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol or I, 2-
propylene glycol), whose chemical structures are given below:
Saturated acid

Unsaturated
acid

Glycol

The unsaturated nolyester resins are prepared by heating the component acids and glycols for 10-
12 h at about 160-200°C, under stirring conditions usually under a blanket of nitrogen. The resin
is then cooled to below the boiling point of styrene and pumped into a blending tank when it is
appropriately blended with right proportions of styrene containing suitable inhibitors.

CURING OF USP RESIN

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Materials requirement for FRP Sheet:

1) GP Unsaturated Polyester Resin – Rest quantity
2) Catalyst; Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) - 2% of GP Unsaturated Polyester Resin
3) Accelerator; Cobalt Napthenate - 2% of GP Unsaturated Polyester Resin
4) Solvent; Acetone – As required
5) Glass fibre matt – 40%, 50%, 60%, 45%, 55%, 65%
Other Ingredients: PVA solution, Waxpol, polyester sheet

GENERAL PROCEDURE:
1. Clean the surfaces of both the polyester sheets.
2. Apply thin layer of mould releasing agent (WAXPOL).
3. Apply a thin layer of Polyvinyl Alcohol solution (prepared by dissolving PVA in boiling
water).
4. Prepare resin by mixing properly first the accelerator (2%) and then catalyst (2%).[General
Resin requirement is twice the weight of the fiber]
5. Apply one layer of resin on one of the sheets placed on a smooth surface.
6. Place a layer of chopped strand mat.
7. Apply a layer of resin and wet the mat.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 once more, or as required.
9. Place the other polyester sheet above the CSM layers.
10. Place a metal plate on the cast sheet and allow to cure.

Testing
Prepare tensile specimen and find out its tensile properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus)

Graph
Plot tensile strength vs glass content, and tensile modulus vs glass content