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Testing Polymer Gels for a Model Shipping Insert 4 questions
Testing Polymer Gels for a Model Shipping Insert
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A class compares polymer gels for a reusable insert around a model instrument. The gels use the same polymer. In the particle model, links join neighboring polymer chains. Gels U, V, and W have increasing numbers of links per unit volume. The class presses each gel with the same load for the same time.
| Gel | Compression under load (mm) | Height recovered after release (%) |
|---|---|---|
| U | 12 | 75 |
| V | 8 | 94 |
| W | 3 | 99 |
Question 1
Use the chain-link model to explain why gel W compresses less than gel U under the same load.
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To protect the model instrument, the insert must compress by at least 6 mm under the test load and recover at least 90% of its original height after the load is removed.
Question 2
Which gel meets both requirements?
- Gel U only
- Gel V only
- Gel W only
- Gels V and W
The students use gel V for 20 repeated tests. On test 20 it compresses by 8 mm and recovers 86% of its original height.
Question 3
Use the new measurements to evaluate the claim that gel V still meets the requirements after 20 tests.
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Question 4
The class wants to estimate the first test on which the recovery fell below 90%. Explain what to measure more often and what part of the loading procedure to hold constant.
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