KIM JON ASSIGNMENT TWO: MATERIAL PROPERTIES Object: Poland Springs 16oz Water Bottle (empty)
AM 367 SEWELL
Material Composition: Plastic (HDPE) o Though it is not on the label, the bottle is probably made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a common material for plastic bottles. o WHY It is light. Plastic, compared to metal or wood, is very light. This makes it easy to handle when manufacturing it and also easy to transport when selling. Plastic is easy to manipulate. Plastic can be melted down and shaped easily in a mold. This makes it quick to produce large quantities. The material has a high tensile strength, if it is made correctly. It is impact resistant, and when pressure is applied it is more likely to bend and stretch rather than puncture. This makes it a durable container that can potentially be reused. It is resistant to solvents, most importantly water. This is important because residue from the bottles can add a flavor. If the plastic has a particularly strong and unpleasant taste, as does polyvinyl chloride (PVC), then the liquid will not sell as well. Manufacturers have to choose a material that will not dissolve in liquid so it does not contaminate the product. Plastic can withstand low temperatures thus and can be refrigerated without reducing the structural integrity of the bottle. It can also withstand heat up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it portable at room temperature or even on very hot day. Plastic can withstand mild weathering outdoors and is an overall tough product. o PRODUCTION Plastics consist of polymers of carbon and hydrogen, either alone or with other elements like sulfur or nitrogen. The polymers are strong because they uniform and repeat over and over in succession. Plastic is light because the polymers are puffed up with gases, often fluorine. Polyethylene is a synthetic material. The monomer form (ethylene) is made of two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms. This uniformity creates a super strong carbon backbone that gives the bottle its rigid shape. o HISTORY Plastics date back to the nineteenth century with the creation of rubber. Hans von Pechmann first created polyethylene in Germany in 1898.
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AM 367 SEWELL It was finally perfected when two scientists accidentally polymerized ethylene, benzaldehyde and oxygen. Plastic later spread to the rest of the world as its uses became evident. The first mass consumer product made from polyethylene was a foam cup.