Objective: In this experiment identification polymeric materials were done by using their

physical properties like density comparison, density measurement, response to heat, and response
to flame tests. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on six polymeric materials to establish
correlations between their physical properties and unique identification characteristics. In order
to identify the polymers, sink and float tests in water, alcohol, acetone, oil, and flame tests were
carried out. Finally, the density of the given polymers was calculated using a pycnometer.

Methodology:

A material having low density than a liquid floats while a higher density material sinks in that
liquid. Using this principle, sink and float test was conducted in water, alcohol, acetone and oil to
categorize polymers by their density. And then copper wire test and heat test was used to identify
each polymer which fall under same category.

A flow chart is given below, PET = Polyethylene Terepthalate

HDPE = High Density Polyethylene

Water LDPE = Low Density Polyethylene

Test
Sinks Floats PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride

PP = Polypropylene
Copper Wire
Alcohol Test PS = Polystyrene
Test

Green Flame Sinks

Non-green
PVC Flame HDPE
Floats

Acetone Test Oil Test

No
Reaction Reaction Sinks Floats

PS PETE LDPE PP

Figure 1: Flow chart of Tests

 Material Density(g/cc)
1. PETE 1.38-1.39
2. HDPE 0.95-0.97
3. PVC 1.16-1.35
4. LDPE 0.92-0.94
5. PP 0.90-0.91
6. PS 1.05-1.07
7. Water 1.00
8. Alcohol 0.93
9. Oil 0.917
Table: Density data

Water test: Six polymer samples were placed separately in a 250 mL beaker with 150 mL of
water, and stirred and poked with a stirring rod to remove any adhering bubble and overcome
any surface tension. The ones which sinked indicates having a higher density than water.
According to density chart PV, PS and PE will sink and HDPE, LDPE and PP will float.

Alcohol test: Similar process was done in a 250 mL beaker containing a mixture of 65 ml
isopropyl alcohol and 35 ml distilled water in it to identify HDPE.

Oil test: Similar process was done using 100 ml of vegetable oil in a 250 ml beaker to identify
LDPE and PP.

Copper test: A cork was attached at the end of a large piece of copper wire. Each of 6 polymer
samples were taken separately in the other end of wire and holding only the cork. Exposed end of
the wire was heated up in the burner flame until the end of the wire glows. Then, glowing end of
the were sticked and pulled out in a glass. Observations were noted.

Acetone test: Each polymer was tested for reaction with acetone.
 Result:

Sample Observation
Water Test Alcohol test Oil test Acetone test Cu wire test
1 Sink Sink (no Sink Sink (no Flame ability- yes
reaction) reaction) Color- Deep yellow
Expansion ability- yes
Ash color- Black
2 Float Sink (no Sink Sink (no Flame ability- yes
reaction) reaction) Color- green initially,
then yellow
Expansion ability- yes
Ash color- transparent
3 Sink Sink (no Sink Sink (slow Flame ability- No
reaction) reaction) Color- yellow
Ash color- Black,
powder like
4 Float Sink (no Submerged Sink (no Flame ability- yes
reaction) reaction) Color- yellow
Expansion ability- low
Ash color- transparent,
pasty
5 Float Sink (no Float Sink (no Flame ability- yes
reaction) reaction) Color- Blue to yellow
Expansion ability- very
high
Ash color- transparent,
pasty
6 Sink Sink (no Sink Sink (slow Flame ability- poor
reaction) reaction) Color- yellow
Expansion ability- high
Ash color- black, pasty