Contents

Objective:................................................................................................................................................ 2
Abstract: ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction: ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Archimedes principle ........................................................................................................................ 2
Displacement method: ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Specimens:.............................................................................................................................................. 3
ASTM: ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Procedure: .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Observations and Calculations: .............................................................................................................. 4
Comparison: ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Result and Discussions: .......................................................................................................................... 4
References: ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Objective:
Determine the density of HDPE, UPVC, PPVC, LDPE, PPRC and PET specimens by Displacement method

Abstract:
In this experiment, we found the density of different polymeric specimens (HDPE, LDPE, PPRC, PPVC, PET
and UPVC) provided, as we know, that density meter is used to find the density of polymeric materials. To
find the density we first begun by weighing the provided specimen of a specific material in, both, air and
water or toluene.

After finding the respective masses we proceeded by calculating the specific gravity of the specimen using
the specified formula. Finally, we calculated the density of the specimen using the required formula
(mentioned below). Based upon the observations and calculations, all the specimens were given certain
characteristics. On the basis of which their applications can be decided. The slight difference was also seen
between the calculated and the standard density values of each specimen. These differences can be
associated to the physical conditions of the surroundings under which experiment was carried out, or the
precision of the apparatus.

Introduction:
The” density” of plastic materials is defined as the weight per unit volume and is expressed in grams per
cubic centimetre or pounds per cubic foot. “Specific gravity” is defined as the Ratio of the weight of the
given volume of a material to that of an equal volume of water at a stated temperature.

Archimedes principle :

The Greek scientist Archimedes stated that when a body is immersed partially or completely in a liquid, the
apparent loss of weight of the body is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced. ... This principle can be
used to find out the density (or the specific gravity) of a body made of a particular material. “Things
float when they are positively buoyant, or less dense than the fluid in which they are sitting. This does not
mean that an object has to be lighter than the fluid, as in the case of a boat; objects just need to have a
greater ratio of empty space to mass than the fluid.” Two basic methods have been developed to
determine specific gravity of plastics depending upon the form of plastic material.

Method A Method B
It is used for a specimen in forms such as sheet, It is developed mainly for material in the form of
rods, tubes, or moulded articles. moulding powder, Flakes, or pellets. This method
requires more precision.
 Corrosion

Resistance

wire

Immersion vessel

base
Digital screen

A corrosion-resistant wire for suspending the specimen and a sinker for lighter specimens with a specific
gravity of less than 1.00 is employed. A beaker is used as an immersion vessel. The test specimen of any
convenient size is weighted in air. Next, the specimen is suspended from a fine wire attached to the
balance and immersed completely in distilled water. The weight of a specimen in water (and sinker, if used)
is determined.

Specimens:
moulded articles of HDPE, UPVC, PPVC, LDPE, PPRC and PET

ASTM:
ASTM D792 -13 -Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by
displacement.

Procedure:
1: Collect the specimens given in the form of small moulded articles

2: Identify the specimens according to the colour and opacity, specify the colour and

Opacity in your report.

3: Turn on the balance. Press REF to enter density mode.

4: Measure the weight of specimen in air and then measure the weight of specimens in liquid.

5: The specific gravity (𝑆𝑝. 𝑔𝑟.) of the plastic materials can be calculated by using formula

𝑆𝑝. 𝑔𝑟(23/23°𝐶) = 𝑎/(𝑎+𝑤−𝑏)

Where,

a = apparent mass of specimen in air.

b = apparent mass of specimen in liquid.

 w = apparent mass of partially immersed wire.

Density of samples (whose individual values are greater than 1 g/cm3) can be measured by using formula:

density (𝑔/𝑐𝑚3) = 𝑠𝑝 𝑔𝑟 23/23°𝐶 × density of water (= 1.003)

Density of samples (whose individual values are lesser than 1 g/cm3) can be measured by using formula:

density (𝑔/𝑐𝑚3) = 𝑠𝑝 𝑔𝑟 23/23°𝐶 × density of toluene (= 0.886g/cm3)

Observations and Calculations:

Materials floating on toluene(density>1g/cm^3):

Polymeric Mass of Mass of Specific gravity of Density of

specimen specimen in specimen in air specimen specimen
water
g g cm3/g g/cm3
PPVC 2.208 0.6330 1.448 1.448
PET 0.098 0.0283 1.400 1.400
UPVC 1.068 0.3169 1.416 1.416

Specimen floating on water(density<1g/cm 3 ):

Polymeric Mass of Mass of Specific gravity of Density of

specimen specimen in specimen in air specimen specimen
water
g g cm3/g g/cm3
LDPE 0.0137 0.0080 1.057 0.915
HDPE 0.835 0.064 1.080 0.935
PPRC 2.537 0.109 1.046 0.905

Comparison:
Comparison between calculated and standard values of density:

Specimen Standard value Calculated value

g/cm3 g/cm3
hDPE 0.930 0.935
LDPE 0.920 0.915
PPRC 0.909 0.905
PPVC 1.304 1.448
UPVC 1.420 1.416
PET 1.380 1.400

Result and Discussions:

From the experimental observations and calculations, it can be established that the densities of specimens
of PPRC, HDPE and LDPE used will not sink in water because their density is lower than water’s density.
Therefore, we can devise that these polymers or materials made entirely from these polymers can be used
in applications where the product needs to float over the water surface. Using the same observations and
calculations, we can establish that specimens of PPVC, PET and UPVC are of higher density than that of
water. So, products made of these polymers will sink in the water. A general conclusion is that PPRC, PET
and UPVC have much more crystalline and rigid structure. They have less free spaces. Thus, imparting them
higher or better physical properties. Whereas, in the case of HDPE, LDPE and PPVC, these specimens have
much more free available spaces which leads to lower density. So, these polymers have more commercial
importance.

References:
• https://www.academia.edu/29680084/DETERMINE_DENSITY_AND_SPE
CIFIC_GRAVITY_RELATIVE_DENSITY_OF_PLASTICS_BY_DISPLA CEMENT_METHOD

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_terephthalate

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride

• https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=845

• Lab manual of Fundamentals of Polymer Engineering lab.