POLYMER

TECHNOLOGY
Contents
Polymer Technology-
What are Polymers?
Classification of Polymers,
Mechanism of Polymerization.
Some major Polymers (Plastics) and their applications
Natural rubber-
Processing of Natural rubber,
vulcanization,
Properties and applications
Identification of Plastics by simple methods
Environment Friendly Polymers
POLYMER
 Polymer is a Greek word- “Poly” means “many” and “Meros”
means “Parts”.
 When large number of a single repeating unit combines and
form macromolecule, the resultant high molecular weight
compound is called Polymer
 The single repeating unit which is combining together to
form macromolecule of higher molecular weight is called as
Monomer.
POLYMERIZATION
 The process of linking the repeating units (monomers) to
form high molecular weight compound (polymer) is called
Polymerization
 Degree of Polymerization: The number of repeating units in
chain formed in a polymer is known as the Degree of
Polymerization.
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYMERS
 Polymeric molecules are very big molecules. Their average
molecular weights may approach 105 or more.
 Polymers are semi crystalline materials. It means they have
both amorphous and crystalline regions.
 The intermolecular forces in polymers can be Vander Waals
Forces, Dipole- Dipole attractions or Hydrogen Bonding.
 Polymers are combustible materials.
 Generally, Polymers are thermal and electrical insulators.
 The chemical, electrical, optical, mechanical and thermal
properties of polymers depend on size and shape of polymers
and their intermolecular forces.
ADVANTAGES OF POLYMERS
 Low densities and cost of transportation is low.
 Excellent resistance to corrosion.
 Thermal and electrical insulators.
 Rubber- inherently flexible polymer, have excellent elasticity
and damping qualities.
 Ability to take the variety of colors, shades, etc. which do not
fade easily.
 Easily mouldable even into complex shapes with reproducible
dimension with minimum of fabrication and finishing cost.
DISADVANTAGES OF POLYMERS
 Lower strength and stiffness, easily get deformed under load.
 Combustible (except metals and ceramics).
 Temperature limitations in service, low heat resistance and
embrittlement occurs at low temperature.
 Time- dependent properties, they show creep.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
ON THE BASIS OF OCCURRENCE
 NATURAL POLYMERS
These are obtained from natural sources (plants and animals).
Example: starch, cellulose, rubber, protein, silk
 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS
These are synthesized by men. Most of them are long chain organic molecules containing
thousands of monomer units.
Example: Polythene, nylon, PVC, etc.
 ON THE BASIS OF THEIR STRUCTURE
 LINEAR POLYMERS
Each monomeric unit is linked with two other monomeric units on either side, forming a
continuous straight chain. The monomeric units are added on to each other forming a
long chain.
Example: High density polythene (HDPE)
 BRANCHED POLYMERS
Most of the monomeric units are linked with two other on either side. Some monomeric
units are linked with a third monomeric unit.
Example: Low density polythene (LDPE)
 CROSS LINKED POLYMERS
When a bi-functional monomer is mixed in small amount with tri- functional
monomers, a three dimension network polymer is formed
 ON THE BASIS OF TACTICITY
The orientation of monomeric units in a polymer molecule can take place in an orderly or disorderly
manner with respect to the main chain. The difference in configuration is known as Tacticity.
 ISOTACTIC POLYMER
All functional groups are present on the same side of the chain.
 SYNDIOTACTIC POLYMER
Functional group is present in alternating fashion around the main chain.
Example: Gutta Percha
 ATACTIC POLYMERS
Functional groups are arranged randomly.
Example: Polypropylene
 ON THE BASIS OF REPEATED UNITS
 HOMOPOLYMERS
Entire polymer chain is made up of one single repeat unit.

 CO-POLYMERS
Have more than one type of repeating unit in the polymer backbone.
 ON THE BASIS OF MODE OF SYNTHESIS
 ADDITION POLYMERS
Formed by direct addition of repeated monomeric units, without the elimination of any
product molecule.

CONDENSATION POLYMER
Formed by condensation of two or more than two monomers, with the elimination of
simple molecules like water, ammonia, hydrogen chloride, etc.
 ON THE BASIS OF ITS BEHAVIOUR WHEN HEATED TO PROCESSING TEMPERATURES OR ON
THE BASIS OF MOLECULAR FORCES
 THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS
Can be easily softened repeatedly when heated and hardened on cooling with little change in properties.
Their hardness is a temporary property, subject to change with rise or fall of temperature. Thus, can be
processed again and again.
They have low melting points and can be repeatedly moulded and remoulded to the desired shapes.
They have either linear or branched structures.
Polymeric chains are held together by weak Vander Waals forces or Dipole- Dipole interactions or Hydrogen
Bonding.
There are no Cross- links.
EXAMPLE: Polythene, PVC, Nylon, Teflon
These materials are fabricated normally by the simultaneous application of heat and pressure.

 THERMOSETTING POLYMERS
They undergo permanent change on heating.
When heated they get highly cross linked to form hard infusible and insoluble products.
They are permanently rigid due to the presence of cross links.
During moulding, they acquire 3- D cross linked structures, with permanently strong covalent bonds.
They cannot be reprocessed.
They are more chemically inert.
Their molecular weight is very high.
Example: Polyester, bakelite, melamine.
S. NO. THERMOPLASTICS THERMOSETS
1 Formed by addition or condensation Formed by condensation polymerization
polymerization
2 Linear or branched structures. 3-D, cross linked network structure

3 Softens on heating and stiffens on cooling. Do not soften on heating.

4 Low molecular weight thermoplastics are They are generally insoluble in any solvent.
soluble in their suitable solvents.
5 They can be re-moulded , re-shaped and re- They can’t be re-moulded and hence cannot be re-
used. used.
6 They can be reclaimed from waste i.e. they They cannot be reclaimed from waste, they cannot be
can be recycled. recycled.
7 During moulding of thermoplastics, there is They undergo chemical changes such as further
no change in their chemical composition. polymerization and cross linking during moulding
process.
8 Adjacent polymer chains are held together by Adjacent polymer chains are held together by strong
either vander waals forces, or by dipole- covalent bonds called cross links.
dipole interactions or by Hydrogen bonding.
9 They are tough materials. They are brittle materials.

10 Example: PE, PP, PVC, Nylon. Example: PF, UF, Bakelite.

 ADDITION OR CHAIN POLYMERIZATION
 Polymer synthesized by addition polymerization has the same formula
as that of monomer.
 No molecule is eliminated during polymerization and the polymer is an
exact multiple of the original monomeric molecule.

Features:
 No need of catalyst.
 Highly exothermic
 Once the reaction begins with initiator, it proceeds very fastly.
 C=C in the monomer is utilized for polymerization.
 The polymer molecular formula is an exact multiple of monomer
formula.
 No by-product is obtained.
 Mechanism: Initiation – Propagation –Termination.
 Polymer molecule ends are not reactive or are dead.
CONDENSATION OR STEP POLYMERIZATION
 It takes place by the condensation of two different
bifunctional or poly functional monomers having
functional group which have affinity for each other.
 Example: -COOH and NH2 carrying monomers
undergo condensation polymerization.
 It always accompanies with the elimination of small
molecules like H2O, HCl, etc.
FEATURES:
 Catalyst may or may not be required.
 Reaction is endothermic.
 Reaction between functional groups take place slowly.
 Functional groups like –COOH, -OH, -COOR, -NH2
are on the monomer molecules.
 Molecular formula of polymer is not exact multiple of
monomer formula.
 Usually a simple by-product is formed along with
polymer, therefore by-product separation is required.
 Polymer molecule ends are reactive or live and if more
monomer is added, the polymerization can continue.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Purified ethylene is first liquefied under
high pressure (1000-3000 atm) with the
help of primary and hyper compressors
It is then fed to the tubular reactor along
with catalyst (Hydrogen peroxide).
In this reactor, ethylene is polymerized into
polyethylene, a waxy solid, which comes
out from the perforation in the bottom of
the vessel.
Polymerization reaction is highly
exothermic, sometimes lead to explosion.
Therefore proper cooling is done with the
help of cooling towers.
After polymerization, mixture is transferred
to separator in which un-reacted ethylene
is removed and recycled.
After drying, Polyethylene pellets are stored.
Properties
 Rigid, waxy, white, translucent material at room temperature
 Show chemical resistance to strong acids, bases and salts
 Good insulator of electricity
 Due to highly symmetrical chain structure, it crystallizes
very easily
 Has branched structure, flexible and tough
 No strong intermolecular forces
 Backbone is flexible

Applications
 For making high frequency insulator parts
 Bottle caps, flexible bottles
 Moulded toys, sheets for packing materials, chemical plants
 Tubes, pipes, coated wires and cables
 Kitchen and domestic appliances
High Density Polyethylene HDPE
 Ethylene (dissolved in a liquid hydrocarbon such as
cyclohexane) is polymerised in the presence of catalyst at
1.4- 3.5 Mpa pressure and at about 130-160 degree C.
 After reaction, the mixture is passed to a gas liquid
separator where ethylene is flashed off, catalyst is then
removed from the liquid product.
 Polymer is separated from the solvent by either flashing off
the solvent or by precipitating the polymer by cooling.
Properties
 The HDPE molecules are linear. Hence it has high density
(0.95- 0.97 gm/ cubic cm).
 Softening temperature is higher as compared to LDPE.
 Has excellent insulation properties.
 Free from odour and toxicity
 It is more stiff and possesses greater tensile strength as
compared to LDPE.
Applications
 HDPE film is used as wrapping material material instead of
paper for food products.
 Because of better oxidation and UV- resistance, HDPE is
used for the manufacture of crates, food tubs, industrial
containers and overhead tanks.
 It can also be used for domestic water and gas piping.
 Bottle for milk, household chemicals and drug packagimg
are also made from it.
 PVC is a thermoplastic polymer.
 It is vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl
groups having one of their hydrogen replaced
with a chloride group.
 PVC is made by addition Polymerization.
Rigid or Unplasticized PVC
 Vinyl chloride is mixed with water in equal parts,
small amount of catalyst and an emulsifier.
 The mixture is vigorously stirred and then sent to
autoclave at 40 – 45 degree C.
 The polymerization is completed in 60-70 hours.
 The polymer is coagulated by acid and drier.
 The desired properties in PVC can be achieved by
using plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants and
fillers.
Properties
 PVC is colourless, odourless and non- inflammable.
 Presence of chlorine atoms on the alternate carbon atoms of PVC causes
an increase in the interchange attraction.
 This increases the hardness and stiffness of polymer. Its softening point is
also high (148 degree C)
 The Cl-Cl dipole makes PVC a polymeric polar molecule, but because of
the immobility of the dipole at room temperature power factor of PVC is
comparatively low.
 It has superior chemical resistance but is soluble in ethyl chloride and
tetrahydrofuran.
 It has excellent oil resistance and resistance to weathering.
Applications
 Used for making bottles like bislery mineral water, cosmetics and
detergents.
 Used for making pipe for drainage and guttering.
 Shows chemical resistance therefore used in acid recovery plants for
handling hydrocarbons, many of which adversely affect the polyolefins.
Plasticized PVC
Preparation
 Plasticised PVC is generally obtained by adding plasticizers such as-
dioctyl pthalate, dibutyl pthalate, etc.
Properties
 Good insulator
 It has completely replaced rubber insulated wire for domestic flex.

Applications
 Used for making leather cloth which is used in car applications in
upholstery and trim, kitchen upholstery, bathroom curtaining bags, etc.
 It is used for making plastic rain wear, baby pants, all PVC shoes for
beach wear and garden hose
Preparation
 Teflon is a fluorocarbon as it is a high molecular weight
compound consisting wholly of carbon and flouroethylene.
 Poly tetra fluoro ethylene is obtained by polymerization of
water-emulsion of tetra floro ethylene, under pressure in
presence of benzoyl peroxide as catalyst.
Properties
 Due to presence of highly electronegative fluorine atoms and
the regular configuration of the PTFE molecule results in very
strong attractive forces between the different chains. These
strong attractive forces are responsible for-
 High density
 Chemical inertness over a wide range of temperature.
 Excellent electrical insulation properties.
 Non- adhesive characteristics.
 Very low coefficient of friction
 Excellent toughness and heat resistance.
Applications
 Wire and cable insulation
 Laminates for printed circuitry
 Coatings of frying pan
 Non- lubricating bearings
 Variety of seals, gaskets, packing valve and pump parts and
stop-cocks for burettes
 Insulators for motors, generators, coil transformers and
capacitors.
 It is formed from phenol and formaldehyde.
 It is a thermosetting resin.
Properties
 Phenolic resins are hard, rigid and strong materials
 They have excellent heat and moisture resistance
 They have good chemical resistance
 They possess excellent electrical insulating character
 Low molecular weight grade have excellent bonding
strength and adhesive properties
Applications
 For making electric insulator parts like switches,
plugs, switch-boards, heater-handles, etc.
 For making moulded articles like telephone parts,
cabinets for radio and television
 For impregnating fabrics, wood and paper
 As adhesives for grinding wheels
 In paints and varnishes
 The production of ion exchange resins
 For making bearings, used in propeller shafts for
paper industry and rolling mills.
 It is an opaque chemically thermoset resin
obtained by heating urea and formaldehyde in
the presence of ammonia or pyridine.
Properties
 It gives clear, white products of good tensile
strength.
 They have good electrical insulation
 They have good chemical resistance
 Good abrasion resistance
 Good solvent, grease and moisture resistance
Applications
 For bonding grinding wheels
 Binder of glass fibres, rock wool, etc. which are
used for filtration and insulation purposes
 Binder for foundry cores
 Cation exchanger
 Bonding plywood
 Electrical insulation
 Decorative articles like plates, drinking
glasses, dishes, etc.
 Nylon is a generic designation for family of synthetic
polymers, more specified aliphatic or semi-aromatic
polyamides.
 Synthetic fibre forming polyamides are termed as Nylons
 The important polymers of this category are- Nylon-6,
Nylon-6,6, etc.
Properties
 The structure of Nylons are linear that permits side-by-side
alignment.
 Due to hydrogen bonds they have high crytallinity which
imparts- high strength, high melting point, elasticity and
toughness.
 They are also sterilizable.
 They have good hydrocarbon resistance.
 They have good moisture resistance.
Applications
 It is primarily used for fibres which find use in making
socks, carpets, etc.
 It is also used in mechanical engineering for well-known
applications like gears, bearing, bushes, cams, etc.
 It is also used for jacketing electrical ware to provide a
tough, abrasion resistant outer cover to protect the primary
electrical insulation.
 It is a saturated polyester formed by
condensation of ethylene glycol and
terephthalic acid.
Properties
 It is a good fibre forming material and is
converted into commercial fibres.
 Such fibres have high stretch resistance (due
to high stiffness of polymer chains)
 High crease and wrinkle resistance
 High resistant to mineral and organic acids.

Applications
 It is used for blending with wool to provide
better crease and wrinkle resistance.
 They are used as glass reinforcing material in
safety helmets, aircrafts battery boxes, etc.
 It is used in magnetic recording tape.
 It is used in wide necked jars for coffee.
 The organic polymers which possess elasticity are known as elastomers or rubber.
 It has ability to undergo large deformation on applying stress and recover the original form after removing
the stress.
Types
1. Natural Rubber
2. Synthetic Rubber
Properties
 Utilization over a temperature range from -80 to 300 degree C
 Electrically insulatating
 Withstands extremes of weather and outdoor environments indefinitely
 Withstands exposure to fuels, oils and chemicals
 Ability to be rendered flame-retardant and self-extinguishing
 Maintains tensions and compression forces indefinitely
 Conformable, adaptable, and accomodating of movement, shock, thermal changes, tolerances and
roughness
 Absorbs vibration and noise and acts as an insulator
 Possesses low thermal conductivity and can be used to reduce heat transfer
 Friction properties similar to human skin and comfortable to grip
Applications
 It is used in manufacturing motor tyres
 In preparing shoe soles, gasket, cable insulation, conveyor belts, industrial hoses, gloves, etc.
 In lining of tanks
 In tubings for carrying corrosive gases and oils
 In making tyres of fighter aircrafts
 Used as adhesives in electronic industries
Processing of Natural Rubber from Latex
Types of Synthetic Rubber
Silicone rubber is an elastomer (rubber-like material) composed
of silicone—itself a polymer—containing silicon together
with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Requirements: Soldering iron rod, plastic samples.
Theory:
Thermoplastic polymers:
•Can be easily softened repeatedly when heated and hardened on cooling with little change in properties.
•Their hardness is a temporary property, subject to change with rise or fall of temperature. Thus, can be
processed again and again.
•They have low melting points and can be repeatedly moulded and remoulded to the desired shapes.
•They have either linear or branched structures.
•Polymeric chains are held together by weak Vander Waals forces or Dipole- Dipole interactions or Hydrogen
Bonding.
•There are no Cross- links.
•Example: Polythene, PVC, Nylon, Teflon
Thermosetting polymers:
•They undergo permanent change on heating.
•When heated they get highly cross linked to form hard infusible and insoluble products.
•They are permanently rigid due to the presence of cross links.
•During moulding, they acquire 3- D cross linked structures, with permanently strong covalent bonds.
•They cannot be reprocessed.
•They are more chemically inert.
•Example: Polyester, bakelite, melamine.
Procedure:
•The hot soldering iron rod is penetrated in the given samples one by one.
•The effect of heat is noted down.
Objective: To perform floatation test on the given plastic samples.
Requirements: Beakers, distilled water, 46% Isopropyl alcohol, 10% NaCl, Saturated NaCl,
Vegetable Oil, plastic samples.
Theory: One substance floats on the surface a fluid when density of the substance is less than that
of the fluid whereas it sinks if its density is higher than that of the fluid.
Floatation Chart of Plastics:
Procedure:
•Take 5 different beakers and label them as Beaker 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
•Add distilled water, 46% isopropyl alcohol, 10 % NaCl, saturated NaCl and vegetable oil in
Beaker 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively.
•Take the first plastic sample and first drop it in Beaker 1.
•Observe whether it floats or sinks.
•Then on the basis of floatation behavior, move ahead to the next beaker.
•Repeat the same process for other plastic samples and note the behavior in the observation
table.
Floatation Behaviour (Floats/ Sinks)

S. 46%
Plastic Material Distilled Vegetable Saturated
No. Isopropyl 10 % NaCl
Water Oil NaCl
alcohol

1 PP Floats Floats Floats -- --

2 LDPE Floats Floats Sinks -- --
3 HDPE Floats Sinks -- -- --
4 PS Sinks -- -- Floats --
5 Nylon & PC Sinks -- -- Sinks Floats
6 PVC Sinks -- -- Sinks Sinks
 Plastic Material Melting Colour of Odour Behaviour in Speed of Burning/
Behaviour Flame flame Ease of Ignition
Requirements: Bunsen burner, Polyethylene (PE) Quick Yellow top, Burning Drips Fast/easily
blue bottom paraffin wax
lighter, tongs, forceps, plastic Polypropylene (PP) Quick Yellow top, Smell of Drips Fast/ easily
sample, gloves, masks. The blue bottom lubricating oil
burning is performed in fume Polystyrene (PS) Quick Yellow Sweetish Dense smoke Fast/ easy
hood. with soot
Theory: Different plastics show Polyvinyl Chloride Charred Smoky green Chlorine like Chars and show Slow/ difficult
(PVC) chromophoric
different behavior in the Bunsen effect (red
burner flame which are given as effect)
under. Polyamide (Eg. Nylon- Slow Yellow, blue Burning hair Drips Slow/ moderate
Procedure: The plastic sample is 6) edge
heated on the Bunsen burner flame Poly ethylene Slow Yellow with Sweet Black smoke Fast/ difficult
terephthalate (PET) & blue edges, with soot
for 10 seconds and then withdrawn. Poly butylene sooty
The observations are noted down. terephthalate (PBT)
Polycarbonate (PC) Slow Bright, sooty Pungent odour Chars Slow/ difficult
smoky (Phenolic)

Polyacetal/ Polyoxy Difficult Constant Smell of Decomposes Easy

methylene (POM) bluish flame formaldehyde completely

Polyphenylene oxide Slow Yellowish Phenolic smell smoke Slow/ difficult

(PPO) orange
Polyphenylene sulphide Slow Yellowish Faint rotten egg Drips with Slow/ difficult
(PPS) orange metallic sound

Phenol formaldehyde Chars Yellow bright Phenolic odour Chars with Difficult
resin sooty cracking sound

Urea formaldehyde Chars Light yellow Smell of urea Chars with Difficult
Resin blue edges cracking sound

Melamine Chars Light yellow, Fishy smell Chars with difficult

Formaldehyde Resin blue tip, white cracking sound
edge
Requirements: Beakers, glass rods, masks, gloves, plastic samples and solvents.
Theory: Solubility is the property of a solid, liquid or gaseous chemical substance called solute to dissolve in a solid, liquid or
gaseous solvent. Not all polymers can be dissolved, and even though when they can, the dissolution process may take up to several
days or weeks. The dissolution of polymers depends not only on their physical properties, but also on their chemical structure, such
as: polarity, molecular weight, branching, cross linking degree, and crystalline. The general principle that states like dissolves like is
also appropriate in the case of polymers. Thus, polar macromolecules like poly (acrylic acid), poly (acrylamide) and polyvinyl
alcohol, among others, are soluble in water. Conversely, nonpolar polymers or polymer showing a low polarity such
as polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride), and poly(isobutilene), are soluble in nonpolar solvents.
Procedure:
•Take different beakers and keep them in a series.
•Now add different solvents in different beakers.
•Take the given plastic sample and drop it in all the beakers.
•Stir with the help of glass rod.
•Observe the solubility and note it down.
•Now take fresh solvents in the series and repeat the process one by one for all other plastic samples.

Plastic material Soluble in Insoluble in

PE p- xylene, decalin Acetone
PP p- xylene, decalin Acetone
PS Toluene, cyclo-hexanone Lower alcohol, diethyl ether
PVC Cyclo-hexanone, methyl ethyl ketone Methanol, acetone
Poly Amide Formic acid, conc. H2SO4 Methanol, diethyl ether
PET & PBT Chloroform, formic acid, benzene Methanol, diethyl ether
Requirements: Weighing balance, Density Kit, Beakers, plastic samples and reference liquids (isopropyl alcohol/ n- butyl
acetate, distilled water).
Theory: Density is a physical property of matter that expresses a ratio of mass to volume. The density of polymer depends on
the atomic mass of an element or compound. Since different substances have different densities, density measurements are very
useful for identification and characterization of different polymer substances. The density and specific gravity of polymer melts
are very important physicochemical parameters in a polymer manufacturing process. They are very significant factors affecting
the production cost and profitability of the manufacturing process.

Immersion method
The most common method for the determination of the density of solid plastics is the immersion
method, described in ASTM D 792 and ISO 1183-1. A test specimen is weighed in air and its mass is
being recorded. It is then immersed in a liquid and its apparent mass upon immersion is recorded.
The density (mass ratio x the density of the liquid) is then calculated. The immersion liquid can be
either distilled water or a liquid lighter than water such as ethanol, n- butyl alcohol, IPA etc.

x Density of reference liquid

 Desity Kit

Procedure:
•The plastic sample is cut into pieces of equal dimensions.
•Assemble the density determination kit on the weighing balance.
•Remove the weighing pan, pan support, breeze break ring and dust plate from the balance.
Plastic material Density (gm/cc)
•Place the density pan stand on the balance.
•Place one balance weight (small) on the density pan stand. PE LDPE = 0.925,
•Place the beaker stand so that it does not touch the density pan stand. HDPE= 0.925-
•Attach the thermometer clamp to the beaker and insert the thermometer into the 0.965
thermometer clamp. PP 0.89- 0.91
•Pour a liquid with a known density (such as distilled water) into the beaker and place the
PS 1.05- 1.06
beaker on the beaker stand.
•Place the density pan on the density pan stand. PVC 1.41
• Adjust the amount of the liquid so that the sample, when placed on the lower pan (in the Poly Amide Nylon-6= 1.13-
liquid), is about 10 mm below the surface of the liquid. 1.14
•When the value displayed on the balance is stable, press the RE-ZERO key to set the PET 1.4
displayed value to zero. Now the balance is ready for density measurement.
PBT 1.31
•Now the plastic sample of standard dimension is taken and is weighed on air. Note down
the reading in the weighing balance (W1). PC 1.2
•Now place that sample on immersion pan which is inside the water. Again note down the POM 1.41-1.42
reading (W2). PPO 1.06
•Remove the sample from water and do this procedure for different pieces of plastic sample PPS 1.34
of similar dimensions.
•Take the average reading.
Requirements: Digital Melting Point apparatus, silicon oil, capillary tube, plastic sample in powdered form or in the form of fine
flakes.
Theory: The physical properties of a compound, such as melting point and boiling point can provide useful information which
can help in the identification of a sample or to establish its purity. The temperature at which a solid melts and becomes a liquid is
the melting point. Since this requires that the intermolecular forces that hold the solid together have to be overcome, the
temperature at which melting occurs will depend on the structure of the molecule involved
The melting behaviour of a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer is a structure-sensitive property. A sharp melting point is
observed only for low molecular mass substances, but in polymers, a melting temperature range is observed on heating, from
the first change of shape of the solid particles to the transformation into a highly viscous or visco-elastic liquid, with
accompanying disappearance of the crystalline phase. The melting range depends upon a number of parameters, such as
molecular mass, molecular mass distribution, percent crystallinity, and thermodynamic properties. It may also depend on the
previous thermal history of the specimens. The lower or upper limit of the melting range, or its average value, is sometimes
conventionally referred to as the "melting temperature".

The unit consists of a built in magnetic stirrer, glare free background illuminator and cylindrical silicon oil bath. The
silicon oil bath consists of a plain cylindrical container. It is furnished with a cover fitted with special type of oil
immersion heater, having three small holes for holding the capillaries, one big hole for thermometer and another big
hole for boiling point tube. A variable speed stirrer is fitted in it. The apparatus can be used for determination of
boiling points, Temperature effect on viscosity /flow points and molecular weights by Rast’s method with suitable
accessories.
Melting View : Magnifying display of melting operation with the help of adjustable magnifying glass, Melting point
reading hold on by activating the “HOLD” key & reading is protected from power failure till “RESET” is not activated.
 Digital Melting Point apparatus- LT 115 (Microprocessor Based)

Procedure:
•Fill the oil bath with silicon oil.
•Switch on the apparatus. Red LED indicating Stop will glow.
•Press RESET switch. Allow for at least 15 min to warm up.
Plastic material Melting Point ( ̊C)
•Display will indicate the temperature in ̊C of silicon oil bath.
•Sample is filled in capillary tube, about 3 to 4 mm from bottom. PE LDPE= 110-150
•Insert the capillary filled sample through port on the top of silicon oil bath. HDPE = 120-130
•Press Start. Orange/yellow LED indicating Start will glow and Red LED will
PP 155-165
become off.
•Green LED indicating Run will also glow with time. PS --
•Watch the process by magnifier. PVC 147
•When the substance melts, press the HOLD switch to stop the operation. Then the
Poly Amide 210-220
melting temperature will be displayed. (It will be saved even during power failure).
•Heating will stop. Green LED will stop glowing. PET 265
•Record the melting point. PBT 220
PC 225
POM 165-175
PPO --
PPS 275-290