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Line 122: − Two different alcohols, ethanol and propanol, were measured out and mixed with tap water to create different concentrations. In the first 5 vials were concentrations of ethanol, the next five were concentrations of propanol, and in the last vial was tap water only. The fibers destined for the vials were cut, measured cross-sectionally and lengthwise, and weighed with a milligram scale. Both scintillating fibers and lightguides were tested. + − One lightguide and one scifi were put into each vial, and the vials were left to sit in a dark climate controlled area for two weeks. After the two week period, the fibers were drained, left to dry, and measured/weighed again. The raw data, as well as the plotted results, can be seen by clicking on the link below. + − + − − As can be seen from the plots of the data the greatest change in the size of the fibers occurred when the fibers were soaked in 80% alcohol. The most interesting thing, I think, to be learned here is that there seems to be a greater change in the fibers that were soaked in 80% alcohol as opposed to the ones soaked in 100% alcohol. My guess is that there were impurities in the tap water that acted as catalysts in the reaction, but the reason could be any number of things.
Construction of the Full-Scale Tagger Microscope (view source)
Revision as of 17:22, 10 July 2013
, 17:22, 10 July 2013→Alcohol Tests
Poly(methyl methacrylate), or plexiglass, was found to react to ethanol when used in high concentrations. When our fiber bending tank (made of poly) was being cleaned with pure ethanol, an obvious reaction was seen as crazing developed on the surface of the walls of the tank. Because our fibers are made from a similar material (polystyrene with flour-acrylic cladding) it seemed necessary to also test their reaction to exposure to alcohol.
Poly(methyl methacrylate), or plexiglass, was found to react to ethanol when used in high concentrations. When our fiber bending tank (made of poly) was being cleaned with pure ethanol, an obvious reaction was seen as crazing developed on the surface of the walls of the tank. Because our fibers are made from a similar material (polystyrene with flour-acrylic cladding) it seemed necessary to also test their reaction to exposure to alcohol.
The first alcohol test compared the differences between ethanol and propanol. After the first test, only ethanol concentrations were used for the alcohol tests because it will be an ethanol concentration that will be used to clean the fibers.
[[Heated Alcohol Tests]]
[[Alcohol Test 1]]
[[Non-heated Alcohol Tests]]
== Hot Water Test ==
== Hot Water Test ==