Question

List three common examples of how we use the low stiffness of polymers to our great advantage in numerous applications. In each application, explain how the polymer’s low stiffness comes into play. In your common examples, you are looking for applications that rely on a small amount of elastic deformation to perform their function properly.

Answer 1

Low Stiffness Polymers: Stiffness or Rigidity is property of a polymer which depends upon the modulus of flexibility. lower the flexibility modulus higher will be the flexibility of material and will result in low stifness. Flexiblity is one of the most important physical quantity of the polymer which will help them to last longer and wont break easily. It helps the objects made by the polymer to bear more stress and it's durability is increased due to it. Anisotropic polymers are the least stiff amongst all of others. The best examples of the flexible polymers is linear polyethene. Below are the few examples how low stiffness of polymers can be of great advantage in our day to day life.

Some Examples:

1. Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most common polymer used in day to day life. It's low stifness qualities help the pipes to sustain wear and tear and due to that they last longer and their durability is being increased. Due to more fexibility they do not tend to break at joints and supply water throug them with good efficiency.
2. Plastic Bags are also very flexible which tends to inrease their holding and stress bearing capacity. due to their flexible nature they are used to carry sufficient amount of loads as compared to carry bags which are stiffer in nature.
3. Sunglases uses by us also posess less stifness and due to that their alignment and material do not get disturbed by the amount of heat imposed on them by sunlight. Due to this they are also bad conductors of heat which will insure the safety of theperson wearing it.

As mentioned above about the advantages in many applications of these polymers, small amount of elastic deformation also matters for proper functioning. This come in effect at the joints and turns applied so that due to the effect of elasticity, the material do not tend to be brittle in nature and do not break. Elastic deformation also has a role in increasing the durability of the materials.