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Tutorial Chapter 10 - Question

This document discusses characteristics, processing, and applications of polymers. It provides tutorial questions on the advantages of plastics in mechanical and electrical engineering designs. It discusses how molecular weight and degree of crystallinity influence the tensile or yield strength of semicrystalline polymers. Example polymer processes and products are described, including various polymer composites fabrication techniques. Differences between thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are compared. Calculations are provided on polymer molecular weight and degree of polymerization. Factors affecting polymer mechanical properties and deformation behavior are explained. Common polymer additives and their functions are listed.

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Farah Syuhana
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51 views

Tutorial Chapter 10 - Question

This document discusses characteristics, processing, and applications of polymers. It provides tutorial questions on the advantages of plastics in mechanical and electrical engineering designs. It discusses how molecular weight and degree of crystallinity influence the tensile or yield strength of semicrystalline polymers. Example polymer processes and products are described, including various polymer composites fabrication techniques. Differences between thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are compared. Calculations are provided on polymer molecular weight and degree of polymerization. Factors affecting polymer mechanical properties and deformation behavior are explained. Common polymer additives and their functions are listed.

Uploaded by

Farah Syuhana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TUTORIAL

CHAPTER 10: CHARACTERISTICS, PROCESSING AND


APPLICATIONS OF POLYMERS

BMFG 1213 ENGINEERING MATERIALS SEM 1 2020/2021

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. What are some of the advantages of plastics for use in mechanical engineering
designs?

2. What are some of the advantages of plastics for use in electrical engineering designs?

3. Briefly explain how each of the following influences the tensile or yield strength of a
semicrystalline polymer and why:
(a) Molecular weight
(b) Degree of crystallinity

4. Figure 3 shows various product that is produced using polymeric materials.


(a) Suggest TWO (2) possible types of polymer that can be used to produce the
product.
(b) Suggest a process that can be used to produce the products using polymeric
materials in (a).
(c) Describe with the help of a diagram for the process suggested in (a).
5. (a) Describe with the aid of a suitable diagram, any TWO (2) of the processes involved
in fabricating polymer-matrix composites:
i. Hand Lay-up
ii. Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
iii. Pultrusion
iv. Filament Winding

(b) Compare the main differences between thermoplastic and thermoset polymers in
terms of their:
i. polymer chain structure
ii. response to heat

(c) A commercial grade of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer with a linear formula of
(C2H3Cl) n is produced using chain polymerization process. The molecular weight
data of the polymer is given in Table 1.
Compute:

i. ̅𝑛 ).
the number-average molecular weight (𝑀
ii. ̅𝑤 ).
the weight-average molecular weight (𝑀
iii. the degree of polymerization (𝐷𝑃).

Given the atomic mass of carbon = 12.011 u, hydrogen = 1.008 u, and chlorine =
35.45 u.

Table 1 Molecular weight data for a type of polyvinyl chloride polymer.

Number Weight fraction


Molecular weight range (g/mol)
fraction (𝒙𝒊 ) (𝒘𝒊 )
10,000 – 20,000 0.05 0.02
20,000 – 30,000 0.16 0.10
30,000 – 40,000 0.24 0.20
40,000 – 50,000 0.28 0.30
50,000 – 60,000 0.20 0.27
60,000 – 70,000 0.07 0.11
6. (a) Choose a polymer from Table 1 that is MOST suitable to be used for fabrication of cups
to contain hot coffee.
Provide the justifications for your answer.

Table 1 Melting and glass transition temperatures for selected polymers

Polymers Melting Temperature Glass Transition


Range (°C) Temperature Range (°C)
Low density polyethylene 98 - 115 -90 to -25
(LDPE)
Polypropylene (PP) 160-180 -25 to -20
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 175 - 212 87
Polycarbonate (PC) 230 149
Polyethylene terephthalate 212 - 265 66 - 80
(PET)

(b) A high molecular weight polyethylene has an average molecular weight of 397,000
g/mol. The repeat units for polyethylene is given as [C2H4]n.
Compute its average degree of polymerization.

(c) The tensile properties of polymers are affected by their structural and chemical
characteristics.
i. Explain any TWO (2) factors that affect the mechanical properties of
polymers.
ii. Illustrate the deformation behaviour of a semicrystalline
polymer (plastic).

(d) List THREE (3) additives that are added to polymers during processing.

(e) Write down ONE (1) function of each additive as you mentioned in (d).

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